Retaining Walls

Retaining Wall Construction

Retaining walls do the invisible work of holding back earth—and when they fail, they fail dramatically. Bulging, cracking, leaning, even total collapse happen when walls lack proper drainage, adequate foundations, or engineering for the loads they face. Whether you need a low garden wall, tiered terracing for a sloped lot, or a serious structural wall holding back thousands of pounds of soil, the construction approach determines whether your wall lasts 5 years or 50.

We build retaining walls with compacted crushed stone bases, perforated drain pipes wrapped in filter fabric, and gravel backfill that relieves hydrostatic pressure rather than letting it build behind the wall. For walls over 2 feet, we engage structural engineering to ensure proper design. Materials range from interlocking segmental blocks (Allan Block, Unilock) for efficient installation to natural stone for artisan character—each selected for your site conditions and aesthetic goals.

Your finished wall manages grade transitions invisibly, creating flat usable space where slopes existed before. We handle the full build from permit through final inspection, delivering walls that drain properly, resist Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles, and become permanent features of your landscape rather than maintenance liabilities.