| Generally there are two reasons for building a | | | | designs suited to any size landscaping project and will |
| retaining wall on your property, which are to either | | | | last for years with very little maintenance. Combined |
| prevent erosion or simply for landscaping purposes. | | | | with exterior lighting, stone pathways and a careful |
| Regardless of the reason why, this type of structure | | | | selection of plants and flowers, you'll turn your |
| will invariably add value to your home as well as | | | | garden into a fantasy land! |
| enhancing the appearance of it. The key is to build | | | | Depending upon your own needs and taste, retaining |
| the structure appropriately for your needs. | | | | walls can cost a small fortune. Do it yourself projects |
| In the past, it was a common practice to use | | | | will usually cost $10 to $15 per square foot, while |
| discarded railroad ties stacked horizontally to hold | | | | those installed by a contractor may run double that |
| back eroding hillsides. These are rarely used today | | | | price. For a typical home garden where there are no |
| due to environmental concerns as well as because to | | | | structural issues, plan on spending in the neighborhood |
| build a lasting wall you'll require some engineering on it. | | | | of about $3,000. The more complex the design, the |
| Critical to the design is size of the retaining structure | | | | higher the cost, so budget accordingly. |
| needed and drainage conditions. If you're removing a | | | | You may be required to obtain building permits, |
| significant volume of earth to widen a garden for | | | | engineering or architectural drawings and your |
| example, you may need a piling or anchored wall to | | | | municipality may want to inspect your work at |
| support the load behind it. | | | | different stages of construction. Be sure to check |
| If stopping erosion is the only reason, you may not | | | | zoning regulations in your area as well - different |
| need any supporting structure at all. Instead, a wide | | | | regions have different building codes for retaining |
| variety of geosynthetics are available to use in | | | | walls and may limit your choices. Because you're |
| sheets to provide mechanical stabilization of the soil. | | | | increasing the value of your home, it may have an |
| Layered straps, soil nailing and other techniques also | | | | impact on your property taxes as well! |
| work well depending upon the scope of the problem | | | | Last of all, most home centers provide landscaping |
| and the physical size of the project. | | | | design services to help you develop a plan and a |
| One of the most popular types of retaining wall | | | | budget for building a retaining wall on your property. |
| designs incorporates the use of artificial stone to build | | | | Take advantage of these free services whenever |
| expansive, yet beautiful structures that rival any | | | | possible - it will save you time and effort over |
| botanical garden! These materials allow for flexible | | | | figuring everything out yourself! |