Retaining Wall Feedback and Q&A

Feedback:

Hello Retaining Wall Companies,

I found your website too late! We hired a local landscaper to build an eight foot tall stone covered concrete masonry wall for our backyard. We had no idea that we needed an engineer to plan the wall or even permitting was necessary. Now we know why!

Our retaining wall looked great when it was done, but about ten days later it began to rain and did not stop until this morning. We heard a deep thud and then an avalanche and realized immediately our brand new beautiful retaining wall had collapsed. A very sick feeling!

The landscaper who build the retaining wall was not happy to hear the wall collapsed yesterday evening. Today he has not returned any of my calls. The situation keeps getting worse and the earth is sliding down the slope at an alarming rate. Please see our attached picture.

We will be contacting the retaining wall contractors who service our area on your website. Thanks for the information on the surprisingly complicated and very important retaining wall construction process.

R. Peterson

Answer:

R. Peterson,

We are very sorry to receive your email and the picture of your failed concrete masonry retaining wall. We have privately sent you the name of a reputable Atlanta attorney at law who specializes in construction defect law. You will find the contractors listed on our website are easily the most experienced and principled retaining wall builders in the state Georgia.

You will also find building requirements as well as the city or county regulations on engineering and permitting for retaining walls. It is our position that any retaining wall over four feet in height should be engineered; whether the regulations require it or not!

Please keep in touch and let us know how your project develops. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Question:

Dear Retaining Wall Companies,

The three retaining wall estimates we received thus far have left us more confused than we were before. The first was $12k and one was $24k the last was $26k! We stopped asking for estimates after that! How can there be such an enormous difference in cost?

Thank you for whatever light you can shed.

Steve Fields

Answer:

Thanks Steve,

When the right company comes along, you will know it. They will be enthusiastic about their work and likely want you to see pictures of recent projects.

But here are some pointers that should help you avoid disasters:

Beware of Red Flags

The first red flag is contractors who make the retaining wall construction or replacement process sound over-simplified and doesn’t justify an engineer’s plan or permitting. This will sound appealing, to many homeowners as absent an engineer’s plan or permitting the cost will be far less, as in Steve’s example above, but don’t fall for it!

The second red flag is being steamrolled into a “one call close”. They will state this is a “busy” time and they need payment to secure materials. This may be a trap to lock your project and then start it whenever it best suits their own interests. Perhaps never!

The simple fact is most homeowners are not structural engineers, so they can be easily duped by slick contractors or an effective salesperson. So be sure that the contractors who make your final cut include both engineering plans, any HOA approval, and proper permitting in their written quotes. A worthwhile contractor will also encourage you to get at least two other estimates from professional retaining wall builders.

Building Permit Application Paperwork

Another red flag is contractors who drag their feet after your initial meeting. You may not hear from them again, or they will check in periodically but with no solid update. Chances are, they are unable to process the paperwork. They may even attempt to string you along until they can find a properly-licensed sub-contractor capable of completing the paperwork. Over the past few years the applications for building permits have become quite comprehensive and therefore more difficult for many contractors to complete. Originally intended to decrease the number of retaining wall failures, the red tape created by the new regulations has had the opposite effect!

Depending upon the exact location of your property, there may be up to ten individual departments within your courthouse that must receive and approve applications to build or even replace a retaining wall. The planning, zoning, building, permitting, engineering, arborist, EPA, land disturbance permits, storm water and environmental health departments may each require paperwork, conduct inspections and city or county engineer site visits before, during and after the project is performed. Avoiding these headaches may seem appealing, but our advice is don’t risk it! The potential legal and the financial penalties, not to mention loss in property damage far exceed the cost and time it takes to do it right the first time.

Inquire About Drainage

Drainage is the single most important element of a retaining wall system. Gutter downspouts, your property’s topography, as well as any land above your retaining wall, will determine how the drainage management will be designed and implemented. So, examine the plans carefully to ensure that hydrostatic pressure will not degrade the integrity of your retaining wall.

Avoid Contractor Matching Websites

Retaining walls over two feet in height require a professional builder. Although they advertise “background checks” and “customer reviews” never forget these websites are not in the business of helping consumers! Their business is selling leads to desperate contractors who are unable to rely on referrals or maintain any type of marketing campaign on their own. The contractor’s background check is a checking account or credit card approval.

Question:

Hello Feedback,

I have been experiencing a soil erosion at our lake house. It is built just above the lake and has several large hills behind it. I had a retaining wall installed to prevent further erosion two years ago but to no avail… please help us!

T. I. Smith

Answer:

Hello T. I.,

Drainage is the single most important element of a retaining wall system. Gutter downspouts, your property’s topography, as well as any land above your retaining wall, will determine how the drainage management will be designed and implemented. So, examine the plans carefully to ensure that hydrostatic pressure will not degrade the integrity of your retaining wall.

Question:

Hello RWC’s,

We tried HomeAdvisor to get a quote on our retaining wall replacement. About ten minutes after I filled out a bid request the calls began. Most said I was out of their area, but a few came by our house. None were what my wife or I would refer to as a “licensed professional”. Some folks showed up without an appointment, all were bad-mannered and some even downright insulting when my wife or I asked for their worker’s comp insurance or an up-to-date business license.

My wife did a little digging online found your website. We were relieved to find a local member of your website in our community! We have an appointment next week.

Janet and Tim Weatherford

Answer:

Dear Weatherfords,

We have all heard the radio ads and seen their obnoxious commercials on TV! Although they advertise “background checks” and “verified customer reviews”; you should never forget these websites are not in the business of helping consumers! Their business is selling leads to desperate contractors who are unable to rely on referrals or maintain any type of marketing campaign on their own. The contractor’s background check is a checking account or credit card approval.

Avoid them completely!

Question:

Dear Retaining Wall Companies,

I live in South Atlanta and am having trouble locating a retaining wall contractor. Please help.

Susan Fairchild

Answer:

Hello Susan,

Check our Georgia Retaining Wall Companies page to find a reputable contractor. Good luck on your project!