Cost Breakdown: Understanding the Expenses of Building a Retaining Wall in Denver

Retaining walls are structures that hold soil or rocks in a slope to prevent erosion or collapse, they can also be designed to divert water away from certain areas like a driveway, house, etc. These essential structures manage slopes and form flat usable areas on uneven land and hills, allowing construction and landscaping in this area to be easier.

If you are looking to build a retaining wall for your property in Denver, it is important to understand not just its structural use and necessity in your landscape but also its cost. The overall cost of a retaining wall can have various ranges depending on the project location, details in installation, and whether you choose to hire professional contractors or decide to DIY. 

Here is a rough breakdown of the estimate to help give insight into the costs of building a retaining wall in Denver.

Material Selection

Choosing materials for your retaining wall depends on a few aspects such as soil conditions, wall height, design preference, and budget. You can choose a variety of materials and provide a bunch of aesthetic benefits. Here are the costs of a few common materials used along with their pros and cons.

     1. Concrete or Concrete blocks

• Cost: $10 - $20/square foot.
• Pros: Durable, versatile, and low-maintenance 
• Cons: getting good results with concrete may need professional installation

     2. Wood

• Cost: $15 - $25/square foot.
• Pros: can be affordable and easier to handle, earthy aesthetic
• Cons: Not as long-lasting as other materials

     3. Stone

• Cost: $25 - $40/square foot (varies greatly on the type of stone)
• Pros: Rustic and natural aesthetic, blends flawlessly with landscape
• Cons: Higher cost, heavier to handle and may need professional installation 

     4. Brick

• Cost: $20 - $30/square foot.
• Pros: durable, low maintenance, and classic in appearance
• Cons: Higher cost and will need professional installation

     5. Gabion Walls (Wire baskets filled with stone)

• Cost: $30 - $50/square foot
• Pros: Versatile, offers permeability, and has a natural aesthetic
• Cons: Wire will need maintenance over time and installation will need professional skills

     6. Timber Logs

• Cost: $10 - $20/square foot
• Pros: easy to work with, low-cost, and has a rustic aesthetic
• Cons: Not as long-lasting as other materials

Excavation Costs

Costs for excavation can vary and depend on various factors such as the scale, soil conditions, and accessibility to the project. If the site location is too difficult for machinery to pass to then the type of excavation method will be done manually, changing the cost.

     Basic Excavation

• Cost: $50 - $200/cubic yard

     Manual or Hand Excavation

• Cost: $75 - $150/cubic yard

     Soil Removal 

• Cost: $100 - $200/truckload

     Grading and Slope Adjustment

• Cost: $50 - $150/hour

Because pricing can vary depending on your location, it is always best to get help from your local contractors who can offer a more accurate quotation depending on the scope and the conditions of your site. It is also worth noting that additional factors that come with the excavation process such as permits, utility checks, and any unexpected challenges like underground boulders or roots can affect the overall cost.

Foundation

Constructing the foundation of your retaining wall will vary on factors such as its height, length, chosen material, and the additional costs of its site conditions. Listed is a breakdown of the estimated price for the structural support as well as their basic pros and cons.

     Concrete Footings 

• Cost: $5 - $10/linear foot
• Pros: A solid base good for high walls
• Cons: more expensive and will need professional installation

     Rebar for Reinforcement

• Cost: $0.75 - $1.50/linear foot
• Pros: provides added strength and durability
• Cons: considered optional and can add to the initial cost

     Drainage Systems (Pipes, Backfill, and Weep Holes)

• Cost: $5 - $10/square foot
• Pros: Stops water retention and minimizes pressure on the wall
• Cons: Necessary for wall durability but can add to initial cost

     Geogrid Reinforcement (for soil stabilization)

• Cost: $2 - $4/square foot
• Pros: increases strength and load-bearing capacity
• Cons: Necessary for taller walls and can add to material and installation costs

     Labor

• Cost: $50 - $100/hour
• Pros: Professional installation guarantees safe and quality work
• Cons: Makes up a major part of the total cost

     Engineering Permits

• Cost: $500 - $2,000 (highest price depending on the complexity of the project)
• Pros: Ensures compliance with local regulations and safety guidelines
• Cons: Requirement for compliance but can add to the costs

The total cost for the foundation for a small to medium-sized retaining wall can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or even more than that depending on the mentioned factors. 

Wall Construction

Depending on the scale and complexity of your retaining wall in Denver, materials, site accessibility (the more difficult it is to access the site, the more costly it gets), and contractor experience, your total labor costs can vary from $3,000 to $10,000. An additional factor to consider with labor costs are the overtime and weekend rates, and whether or not heavy machinery is needed. 

Labor rates

     Basic Labor 

• Cost: $50 - $100/hour, per worker

     Skilled Labor (specialized workers like masons etc.)

• Cost: $75 - $150/hour, per worker

Equipment Rates

     Excavators

• Cost: $200 - $500/day or $1,500 - $3,000/week

     Skid Steer Loaders

• Cost: $150 - $400/day or $1,000 - $2,000/week

     Compactors

• Cost: $75 - $200/day or $300 - $800/week

     Concrete Mixers

• Cost: $50 - $150/day or $200 - $600/week

     Dump Trucks

• Cost: $300 - $700/day or $1,500 - $3,000/week

     Power Tools

• Cost: $20 - $50/day/tool

Now that you have an idea of the basic breakdown of the cost of building a retaining wall, you can understand the importance of each aspect and conclude the range of how much the total cost of construction is expected to be. The cost depends on what type of retaining wall services you want to provide like concrete wall, natural stone wall or with decorative wall.

But for a precise estimate, it is always good to consult with your local Denver contractor who can accurately evaluate the specific requirements of your project and help you come up with a design that aligns with your budget. And because professional installation is a key factor in the process of this type of construction, these seasoned experts are guaranteed to deliver a quality retaining wall that meets your expectations. Contact us now!