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How Much Do Retaining Walls Cost
Estimating the cost of a stone retaining wall varies greatly depending on the size and scope of the project. We have included a description below of 2 common retaining wall projects and their estimated cost. Hopefully, this will help answer how much do retaining walls cost and give you a good sense of the budget you should have in mind when planning for this work.
Stone Retaining Walls
By far the most common estimate request we receive is for stone retaining walls to border existing garden beds. Installing a retaining wall around your garden bed will not only add elegance to your landscaping but can also provide the added function of keeping grass from growing into your beds. While simply placing boulders, bricks or a natural chopped stone can certainly add beauty to the bed, if you wish to keep grass out of the beds, you should plan on having a mortared stone wall installed with a concrete footing. The footing of any stonework is the most important part of the wall and you should always ask your masonry contractor how they intend to secure the base of the stone wall. Far too often, we are called out to replace stonework that has cracked beyond repair due to improper footing.
Proper installation of a stone retaining wall involves digging a trench for the wall and pouring a concrete base reinforced with rebar. The stonework is then set on top of this concrete base and secured to neighboring stones with mortar. This creates a solid surface and should be level.
Cost of Dry-Laid Walls
If you would like to have a dry-laid or natural stone wall assembled around the perimeter of your garden bed, the cost is calculated per linear foot for low walls and per square foot for stacked walls. For example, to edge a small-medium sized flower bed with boulder stone, you should expect to pay $500 to $800, depending on material choice.
Cost of Mortared Walls
For a mortared stone retaining wall using chopped or sawn stone with a concrete footing, the cost increases due to additional materials and specialized labor. For example, to install a stone retaining wall around a small-medium sized flower bed with multiple rows of stonework, you should expect to pay 2 to 3 times more than that of a dry-laid boulder stone wall, depending on material choice and wall height.
Clearly, the cost of a stone retaining wall varies based on installation method, stone material choices and project size. Keep in mind that investing in stone masonry can typically add a 20%-30% ROI (return on investment) when calculating your home value. All the more reason to take your time when looking for a landscaping company and to hire a masonry contractor with a good reputation like Main Street Lawn Care and Landscaping.
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