Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls in Ottawa, Stittsville, Kemptville & Orleans
Walls up to 6 ft — engineered with the drainage that keeps them standing
Walls up to 6 ft — engineered with the drainage that keeps them standing
A retaining wall is a structure holding back soil, and soil gets much heavier when it is saturated. Walls that lean, bulge or step out of line are almost always walls that were built without drainage behind them — no clear stone, no drainage pipe, no way for water to escape except by pushing on the wall.
We build standard walls up to three feet, tall walls in the three-to-six-foot range, segmental block systems, and natural stone walls. Every one of them gets drainage stone, filter fabric where the soil calls for it, and proper base preparation before the first course goes down.
The same approach applies to the smaller stuff: raised flower beds, decorative stone borders and garden walls. Smaller load, same principles.
Our Work
Recent retaining walls projects
What's Included
Everything we handle under retaining walls
Standard retaining walls
Up to three feet. Grade changes, garden terracing, driveway edges and walkout transitions.
Tall retaining walls
Three to six feet, built with geogrid reinforcement or deadmen tiebacks into the retained soil as the height demands.
Segmental block walls
Techo Bloc and Oaks wall systems. Interlocking units with consistent setback, built to the manufacturer's spec.
Natural stone walls
Armour stone and natural stone walls where you want weight and texture rather than a manufactured face.
Raised flower beds
Garden beds raised and edged in block or stone, with the soil properly contained and drained.
Decorative stone borders
Low borders defining gardens, beds and walkway edges — the detail that makes a yard look finished.
Our Process
How the job actually runs
- 1
Site and grade assessment
We look at how much soil the wall is actually holding, where surface water is coming from, and what is above and below the wall. Height and load determine the build.
- 2
Excavation and base trench
A levelling pad is excavated below grade and compacted. Burying the first course is what stops a wall from kicking out at the bottom.
- 3
Base course
First course set level and checked end to end. Everything above it inherits whatever error is here, so this course gets the most time.
- 4
Drainage and backfill
Clear drainage stone behind the wall, drainage pipe where needed, and backfill compacted in lifts as the wall rises.
- 5
Reinforcement where required
Geogrid or deadmen tied back into the retained soil on taller walls so the mass of soil helps hold the wall rather than only pushing on it.
- 6
Caps and finish
Capping units set and adhered, grade restored, site cleaned, waste removed.
Pricing
What retaining walls costs
Real ranges, not a “call for pricing” page. Where your project lands depends on site access, material selection, complexity, excavation and disposal. Every quote is free, written, and valid for 30 days.
| Service | Range |
|---|---|
| Standard wall (up to 3 ft) | $65–$95 / linear ft |
| Tall wall (3–6 ft) | $95–$150 / linear ft |
| Segmental block wall | $70–$110 / linear ft |
| Natural stone wall | $120–$200 / linear ft |
| Raised flower beds | $55–$85 / linear ft |
| Decorative stone borders | $12–$20 / linear ft |
| River rock gardens | $8–$15 / sq ft (materials included) |
Typical timeline
A short garden wall or raised bed can be a one or two day job. A tall structural wall with reinforcement and significant excavation typically runs several days to two weeks depending on length and access.
Deposit & payment
A 30–50% deposit secures your project and orders materials, with progress payments on larger jobs and the balance on completion. Cash, cheque, e-transfer and credit card accepted, and short-term financing is available.
3 Years
Workmanship warranty, in writing
Owner-Led
Adam on site from quote to walkthrough
Free
Estimates and consultations, always
Where We Work
Retaining Walls across the Ottawa area
We provide retaining walls throughout Ottawa and the surrounding communities. Pick your area to see what the work usually looks like locally.
Common Questions
Retaining Walls — questions we get asked
Why is my existing wall leaning?
Nine times out of ten it is water. Without drainage stone and a path for water to escape, saturated soil pushes on the wall every time it rains and every spring thaw. A base course that was not buried deep enough is the other common cause.
How tall can you build?
We build up to six feet. Beyond that you move into territory where an engineered design and permits are appropriate, and we will tell you when a project is heading there.
Block or natural stone?
Block gives you a consistent face, predictable cost and a straightforward build. Natural stone gives you weight, texture and a look that does not repeat. Block is the more common choice for structural walls; natural stone is often chosen for feature walls and front-yard work.
Can a wall fix my drainage problem?
Sometimes — a wall plus regrading can redirect where water travels. But a wall is not a drainage system. If water is pooling against your foundation, that is a grading and drainage job first.
Also Available
One contractor for the rest of the exterior too
Most projects touch more than one trade. Because we cover the full exterior, the drainage, parging or lighting that turns up mid-project does not mean finding another contractor.
Interlock Installation
Patios, driveways, walkways and pads — built on a base that lasts
Steps & Stairs
Safe, solid front steps and landings that match your home
Foundation Parging & Repair
Crack repair, waterproofing and a clean, uniform parge finish
Drainage & Grading
French drains, catch basins and regrading that move water away from the house
Pressure Washing
Houses, driveways, patios and full property washes
Brick & Stone Work
Repair, veneer, chimneys and pillars
Free Estimate
Get a free retaining walls estimate
Tell us what you need done and roughly where you are. We serve Ottawa, Stittsville, Kemptville, Orleans, Carleton Place and the surrounding areas — and we'll get back to you promptly.
Phone
613-413-1135Service Area
Ottawa, Stittsville, Kemptville, Orleans, Carleton Place & surrounding areas
Season
March through November. Winter is the best time to book for an early-season start.