The role of a retaining wall goes beyond aesthetics or privacy. Retaining walls prevent soil from collapsing, redirect water when it rains or floods, prevent water damage and are used to separate different areas of interest.

Retaining walls also play a decisive role in construction, both in residential and commercial projects. Every contractor using retaining walls must consider many factors, including the materials to be used, the height of the wall, worksite safety, and wall durability.

To Retain or Not to Retain – That Is The Question

Retaining walls prevent organic matter from falling and invading an area. They can be used to separate a garden from the driveway, for example. You can also integrate a retaining wall around your pool if you want to have raised beds for plants, or multi-levelled landscaping.

When it comes to building a new structure, retaining walls are incorporated into the work site for both the safety and structural soundness of the site itself.

Retaining wall specialists are professionals with experience in retaining wall construction. During construction, they calculate the weight that the wall will have to support. Additionally, they take site changes into account, like seasonal factors such as weather. This is because the soil weight will be much greater once water infiltrates it during rain or floods.

A wall specialist’s role is also crucial during the construction phase to ensure that workers stay safe and no accidents happen. Depending on the depth and shape of the hole for the wall that needs digging, workers might have to use planks, steel uprights, or other stabilizing methods.

Retaining wall specialists are familiar with the regulations in place. They are also aware of what permits and licensing that will be required. This knowledge is crucial, as going against the rules can compromise your investment and effort.

3 Main Reasons to Retain a Retaining Wall Specialist

Hiring a retaining wall specialist is important for a varying amount of reasons. The engineering that goes into designing a retaining wall ensures that it will do its job properly, and not fail when you least expect it. Here are the three main reasons why they are vital to any construction site:

1. They have experience and know-how

Retaining walls have clear roles in most cases. Depending on the retaining wall you need, more or less complex calculations are done in the planning phase.

You want to work with a retaining specialist who has the expertise to build a safe wall, keep the construction team safe throughout the project, prevent any expensive damages, and choose the best option available within your budget. Making mistakes with retaining walls can be costly.

2. The costs are lower in the long run

Building a retaining wall yourself might seem like a more budget-friendly idea at first. However, the first costly consequences could be future structural damage, worker injury or accident, and medical expenses. By using a professional you avoid these hazards.

You also get access to cheaper construction rates when working with a specialist because they are often connected with distributors and get B2B (business to business) prices and offers.

3. Lower stress levels

Building a retaining wall yourself is, most likely, an overwhelming task for the amateur DIY builder, and can still post a challenge even for someone with previous building experience. For raising a wall correctly you need heavy equipment, special tools, excavation, laser grading, etc.

Retaining wall builders are equipped for any project and certified for the job. Plus, it’s much less stressful to know that your retaining wall was built correctly and won’t collapse or leak water.

So How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost Anyway?

The cost of building a retaining wall will depend a lot on the materials, surface, height, depth, additional tasks like redirecting utilities, etc. Only a preliminary discussion with a retaining wall specialist can give you a reliable estimate for your project.

A retaining wall is estimated to cost between $250 and $500 per square meter. One way to calculate a budget is to ask for quotes from at least three reliable companies and compare their services. Your best option is to go with local companies and choose local materials for your wall.

When looking for retaining wall contractors, make sure they are licensed, insured, and have an attractive portfolio and reviews to show. Check their previous work and ask them about the engineering behind the construction of the wall.

The Hazards of Not Hiring a Specialist

Trying to save some money by building a retaining wall yourself is not advisable in any way. Even when for decorative purposes, retaining walls must be built to certain sets of standards. More so when they are used for new construction.

If you are not familiar with these standards, you will run into serious problems that come at an even higher cost.

The hazards of building a DIY retaining wall include:

• Accidents caused by falls.
• Damage to utility systems (plumbing, electricity lines, sewage, etc.)
• Accidents involving falling materials or objects, collapsing soil or walls.
• Injury caused by handling heavy machinery without prior experience.
• Health issues can be caused by dust, noise, vibrations because DIYers don’t always wear protective gear.
• Water damage caused by improper drainage. Water damage can lead to very expensive repairs, if the foundation of a house is affected, for example.

Besides the obvious consequences of a retaining wall built improperly, you can have it demolished even before it causes problems. That is because there are numerous codes in a municipality’s building regulations about retaining walls. If your wall doesn’t comply, you will be required by the law to take it down.

Call for the Wall

Whether you need a retaining wall for a commercial or residential property, work with the experts for the best possible result. We at TFR Construction have the knowledge, equipment, team, and experience needed for this project.

Contact us today for a quote on your next project – let us put ‘another brick in the wall’ for you!