Concrete retaining walls in Federal Way WA - a slope that stays where it belongs
Dirt sliding onto your lawn or an old wall leaning out? We pour a concrete wall with drainage behind it that holds the ground.
What goes into a concrete retaining wall in Federal Way?
A concrete retaining wall in Federal Way holds back soil where your yard changes level, taking the sideways push of the dirt behind it so the slope stays off your lawn, walk or driveway.
Most people call when a slope keeps slumping onto the grass, an old wall has started to lean, or they want a flat spot for a concrete patio where the yard falls away. If a wall won't fix what you're seeing, I'd rather tell you on the first visit than build one anyway.
The price moves with the wall's height and length, what will sit above it, how much dirt we dig out and haul, and whether an old wall has to come out or the new one curves. The schedule turns on any permit wait, the weather and the days the concrete needs to cure and gain strength before we pack dirt against it, and your own number comes from the written estimate after I've seen the yard.
- A dug and formed footing, the concrete base the whole wall stands on.
- Rebar, the steel bars inside the concrete, running up through the wall to resist the soil's push.
- Hauling off the dirt we dig out, and keeping the site clean as we go.
What happens after you call about a retaining wall?
I look at your slope myself and run the job on site. Here's how a retaining wall goes from the first call to cleanup, and where a permit wait can move the start.
Call us or send a message
Call (253) 652-2604 or use the form, and tell us roughly how tall and long the wall needs to be and what sits near it. Photos of the slope and any nearby driveway or building help me come out ready.
I walk your yard and measure
I walk the slope, look at where the water runs and ask what you need the wall to do. You get a written estimate that lists what's in the price and what isn't.
We handle permits and scheduling
Once you say go, we sort out any permit the wall needs. Then we pick a pour day with you that fits around the permit wait.
We build, backfill and clean up
I'm on site running our crew while we dig, form, pour and backfill, and we clean up as we go because your neighbors and the street shouldn't pay for our job. When the dirt's back and the site's clean, the job's done.
Poured concrete walls, footings and forms on the job
These photos show the kind of concrete work a retaining wall involves, from forms and steel to the finished face. They're examples of the trade, not pictures of a particular job of ours.
A modern home stands behind a driveway of large pale concrete panels separated by strips of grass.
A broad light-gray exposed-aggregate concrete driveway with control joints leads to a brick house and open garage.
Fresh concrete driveway leading to a single-story home with one open garage bay and a car inside.
A gray stamped-concrete patio with a rectangular stone pattern extends beneath white stairs and a raised deck.
Large rectangular concrete driveway slabs are separated by narrow channels filled with dark rounded stones.
A covered patio has a dark, irregular stamped-concrete floor beside brick walls, white columns, and a black railing.
Get a written price for your retaining wall
Send the form or call (253) 652-2604, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to look at your slope. The estimate is free and on site, with no pressure and no obligation.
(253) 652-2604Retaining wall questions from Federal Way homeowners
These are the questions Federal Way homeowners ask most when they're planning a retaining wall. Where a city rule or a published figure answers it, that's what you'll find below.
How much does a concrete retaining wall cost in the Seattle area?
An installed concrete retaining wall in the Seattle area usually costs about $20 to $50 per square foot. Those figures are for a poured wall about 3 feet high and leave out tearing out an old wall, terraced walls, decorative concrete, extra height and curvy designs. Your own number comes from the estimate I write after seeing the slope.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Federal Way?
Federal Way exempts retaining walls four feet or less from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall holds up added load from vehicles or buildings. Work in a critical area, like a wetland, a stream, a landslide hazard area or the buffer around one, isn't exempt. Before we schedule, we check which office covers your address, and if your wall needs a permit, we handle the application and plan the start around the wait.
How do I find out if my Federal Way lot is in a hazard area?
Check the city's hazard map first, but don't treat it as the last word, because the city says not every hazard area is on it. The city regulates work on and within 50 feet of a geologically hazardous area, like a slide-prone slope, and may allow it with a report from a qualified geotechnical professional showing the work is safe for your property and your neighbors. If your lot is sloped or near a creek, call the city's Permit Center at 253.835.2607, and keep in mind it's closed to the public on Wednesdays.
What causes a concrete retaining wall to lean or fail?
A wall can fail even when the concrete is strong, because the trouble usually starts behind it. Water pressure can greatly raise the load on a wall, and soaked backfill resists sliding less, so keep the drain outlets clear enough for water to get out. Adding a driveway near the wall or swapping out the backfill later can also undo what the wall was built for.
Is a block retaining wall cheaper than a poured concrete wall?
Usually, yes. A concrete masonry trade group says segmental walls, built from stacked interlocking blocks, typically cost less than walls poured in place. If you're working to a budget, get a price on each type before you choose.
How do I check a concrete contractor in Washington before hiring?
Look the business up on the state Department of Labor & Industries' contractor Verify tool, which shows whether it has an active contractor registration and workers' comp that's paid up. It also shows any lawsuits against the contractor's surety bond. We're fully licensed and insured, so go ahead and look us up.