Concrete retaining walls in Sioux Falls SD - a slope that stays where it belongs
Is your slope sliding onto the lawn or washing out every spring? We build poured and block walls that hold the dirt back.
Do I need a poured or block retaining wall in Sioux Falls?
A concrete retaining wall holds back a slope so the high side stays put and the low side stays usable, and in Sioux Falls we build them either poured in place or from block, depending mostly on how tall the wall is and what it's holding back.
Most calls start with something you can see, like a bank that slumps a little more every spring, dirt washing across the patio after a storm, or an old wall leaning out at the top. Those are signs the slope is winning, and it doesn't usually fix itself.
The price moves mostly with the wall's height and length, poured versus block, whether an old wall has to come out, the finish on the face and how easy it is to get equipment to the spot. The schedule turns on the weather and on the permit when a wall needs one, which we pull ourselves, and I'll go through each of those with you at the estimate.
- Poured walls sit on a base slab that runs back under the dirt they hold.
- Block walls stack separate units and usually suit the lower walls around a yard.
- If an old wall is leaning, we can tear it out before the new one goes in.
What happens after you call about a retaining wall in Sioux Falls?
I come out for the estimate myself and I'm on site when the crew builds, so you're not repeating your questions to a stranger. Here's how it goes from the first call to cleanup.
Call or send the form
Call (605) 305-1165 or send the form, and we'll get back to you to set a time for me to come look. We pick up from early morning into the evening, weekends included.
I look and write the estimate
I walk the slope, look at the ground, listen to what you want and talk through poured versus block before I write anything down. The estimate spells out what's included, so you can hold it right next to other bids.
We permit, schedule and pour
Once you say yes, we line up any permit the wall needs and set the pour date around the forecast. Our crew digs, forms, pours and finishes, and I'm there for the work.
We go over care
Before we leave, we walk you through looking after the new concrete while it cures, which is the stretch when it's still gaining strength. It's also your chance to ask anything about the wall that still isn't clear.
Poured walls, block walls and other concrete around the yard
These photos show the kinds of walls, steps and slabs the concrete trade builds around houses. Use them to picture the look you want, and then we'll talk about what actually suits your slope.
A raised gray exposed-aggregate concrete porch meets a curved walkway, bordered by smooth river stones and white columns.
A raised reddish-brown stamped concrete patio with an irregular stone pattern extends along a brick house.
A broad exposed-aggregate concrete balcony runs beneath a wood-paneled roof, supported by stone columns and bordered by glass railings.
Wide gray stone steps with rough-textured risers descend beside a bed of small rounded gravel.
Pale stone-pattern concrete pool deck beside blue water, with a wooden lounge chair and colorful cushion.
Wet stamped concrete patio with large stone-pattern slabs beside a wooden fence and white door.
Get a free estimate for your retaining wall
Send the wall's rough height and length, the slope behind it and a few photos, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate with no obligation. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
(605) 305-1165Questions about retaining walls in Sioux Falls
These are the questions I hear most when I'm standing at the bottom of someone's slope. If yours isn't here, call and ask, because I'd rather explain it now than after the concrete sets.
How much does a concrete retaining wall cost in Sioux Falls?
Poured concrete retaining walls in Sioux Falls usually cost about $30 to $40 per square foot of wall face installed, and that's the going rate around town, not a quote from us. That usual price assumes a poured wall about 3 feet high, so taking out an old wall, terracing, a stamped or stained face, extra height or a curvy layout all fall outside it. I'll measure your wall and price it at the estimate.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Sioux Falls?
In Sioux Falls, a retaining wall needs a building permit unless it's a landscape-only wall under 4 feet tall, which the city leaves out of its permit rule. If you're not sure which side of that line your wall falls on, the city asks you to call (605) 367-8670. When a wall needs a permit, we pull it ourselves and handle the paperwork.
Is a poured wall or a block wall better for my yard?
A block wall often works for a low, simple wall, and a poured wall makes more sense when it's tall or holding back a lot. One block maker's guide says separate-unit walls suit most non-critical walls under 4 feet, measured from the top of the base, and that taller walls, walls with extra weight above them and poor soils call for block walls tied back with layers of reinforcing grid buried in the fill. An industry install guide also lists organic soils and expansive soils, the kind that swell when wet, as unsuitable under block walls, so I look at your dirt before recommending either one.
Why does drainage behind a retaining wall matter?
When the wet ground behind a wall freezes, it swells and pushes on the wall, and in one study, drainage material on the back side cut that push significantly and the wall shifted less. On block walls, the clean gravel right behind the units helps with packing and draining at the face, but an industry guide says that gravel isn't meant to be the main drain by itself. Ask any contractor you're comparing exactly how their wall will drain.
How long does it take to build a retaining wall?
For a block wall, an industry manual says an experienced crew of three or four typically puts up 300 to 500 square feet of mortarless wall a day, because the units stack without mortar. A poured wall takes longer start to finish, since it has to be formed, poured and left to cure before the forms come off and the dirt goes back. I'll lay out the order of work for your wall at the estimate.
How do I check that a retaining wall contractor is licensed in Sioux Falls?
Call Building Services at (605) 367-8672 to check whether a contractor is licensed with the city. South Dakota also requires a contractor's tax license of anyone contracting for construction work, so it's fair to ask a bidder about both. If you're building the wall yourself, you don't need a license, but you still get any permits and you're responsible for meeting code and getting the inspections.
Concrete retaining walls in Sioux Falls and the cities around it
Inside Sioux Falls, permit work on homes and townhomes takes a residential building contractor's license, and we're licensed and fully insured. Rules differ in Brandon, Tea and Harrisburg, so we check with your city first.