How much does a stone retaining wall cost?
$10 – $85 cost per square foot
$20 – $340 cost per linear foot
$2,000 – $10,000 average total cost (50’ long x 2’ to 4’ tall)
$20 – $340 cost per linear foot
$2,000 – $10,000 average total cost (50’ long x 2’ to 4’ tall)
Get free estimates from retaining wall contractors near you, or view our cost guide below.
November 29, 2021
Reviewed by Tom Grupa and 6 expert retaining wall contractors on HomeGuide.Stone retaining wall cost
A natural stone retaining wall costs $2,000 to $10,000 on average or $10 to $85 per square foot. A boulder retaining wall costs $25 to $50 per square foot. A gabion retaining wall costs $10 to $40 per square foot. A dry-stack stone retaining wall costs $20 to $85 per square foot.
| Linear feet | Boulder wall cost | Gabion wall cost | Dry-stack stone wall cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ | $500 – $2,000 | $200 – $1,600 | $400 – $3,400 |
| 15’ | $750 – $3,000 | $300 – $2,400 | $600 – $5,100 |
| 25’ | $1,250 – $5,000 | $500 – $4,000 | $1,000 – $8,500 |
| 50’ | $2,500 – $10,000 | $1,000 – $8,000 | $2,000 – $17,000 |
| 100’ | $5,000 – $20,000 | $2,000 – $16,000 | $4,000 – $34,000 |
| 150’ | $7,500 – $30,000 | $3,000 – $24,000 | $6,000 – $51,000 |
| 200’ | $10,000 – $40,000 | $4,000 – $32,000 | $8,000 – $68,000 |
*Total installed cost based on a 2’ to 4’ height.
- A stone-veneer finished retaining wall costs $30 to $80 per square foot.
- A fieldstone wall costs $20 to $80 per square foot.
- Limestone retaining wall blocks costs $65 to $90 per block.
- Retaining wall stone prices are $10 to $25 per square foot.
- In comparison, other types of retaining walls cost $20 to $50 per square foot on average.
Table of contents
[hide]- Stone retaining wall cost
- Average rock retaining wall cost
- Boulder retaining wall cost
- Gabion retaining wall cost
- Dry-stack stone retaining wall cost
- Stone veneer retaining wall cost
- Retaining wall stone prices
- Cost to build a large stone retaining wall
- Frequently asked questions
- Hiring a natural stone retaining wall builder
- Retaining wall builders
Average rock retaining wall cost
The following table shows the average cost to build a 50’ long rock retaining wall that’s 2’ to 4’ tall.
| National average cost | $6,000 |
| Minimum cost | $1,000 |
| Maximum cost | $17,000 |
| Average cost range | $2,000 to $10,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Stone retaining wall cost per foot
A stone retaining wall costs $20 to $340 per linear foot for walls 2’ to 4’ high, or $10 to $85 per square foot on average. Total costs depend on the material and construction method.
| Stone type | Cost per square foot | Cost per linear foot* |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder rock | $25 – $50 | $50 – $200 |
| Dry-stacked stone | $20 – $85 | $40 – $340 |
| Gabion | $10 – $40 | $20 – $160 |
*Materials & labor for retaining walls 2’ to 4’ high.
Boulder retaining wall cost
A boulder retaining wall costs $25 to $50 per square foot installed, depending on the boulder size. A boulder retaining wall is typically less than 4’ tall and takes up more space than a regular concrete retaining wall.
- Requires access for mini excavator on the property
- Doesn’t need mortar or concrete to install
- No additional drainage system is necessary due to natural drainage through gaps between boulders
Gabion retaining wall cost
A gabion retaining wall costs $10 to $40 per square foot installed, depending on the stone type, wall depth, machine accessibility, land slope, and footings. Installers typically fill these wire boxes with rip rap, river rocks, or crushed concrete.
Landscaping rock prices are $45 to $130 per ton for a gabion wall.
Gabion retaining wall benefits include:
- Little maintenance and quick to install
- Flexible and permeable structures allow extra drainage
- Ideal near shorelines
- Adaptable to shifting landscapes
Dry-stack stone retaining wall cost
A dry-stack stone retaining wall costs $20 to $85 per square foot installed, depending on the stone type and local availability.
| Rock type | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Fieldstone | $20 – $80 |
| Limestone | $25 – $70 |
| Keystone | $20 – $55 |
| Slate | $30 – $85 |
| Cobblestone | $20 – $45 |
| Pavestone | $20 – $55 |
*Total installed cost, including compacted gravel base.
Fieldstone retaining wall cost
A fieldstone retaining wall costs $20 to $80 per square foot installed. Total costs depend on the size and local stone availability. “Fieldstone” means natural rocks like sandstone, limestone, or granite found on the ground’s surface while clearing land. This stone comes in irregular shapes.
Limestone retaining wall cost
A limestone retaining wall costs $25 to $70 per square foot installed. Limestone boulder retaining walls are common for building terraced stairs in garden walls, and dry-stacked walls 2’ to 4’ tall.
Keystone retaining wall cost
A Keystone retaining wall costs $20 to $55 per square foot installed. Keystone brand block prices alone are $7 to $15 per block on average. Total costs depend on the block style, size, texture, and wall design options.
Slate retaining wall cost
A slate retaining wall costs $30 to $85 per square foot installed. Slate walls have a high damage resistance and are ideal for dry-stacked stone garden walls 2’ to 3’ tall. Various shades of grey, brown, and grey-blue slate are available according to the supplier’s location.
Stone veneer retaining wall cost
Building a stone veneer retaining wall costs $30 to $80 per square foot on average, depending on the stone type. Installers typically build a concrete block wall and then adhere natural or manufactured stone veneer to the exterior.
| Veneer type | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Manufactured stone | $30 – $70 |
| Natural stone | $45 – $80 |
*Total installed cost.
Retaining wall stone prices
Retaining wall stone prices are $10 to $55 per square foot or $60 to $550 per ton for the materials only, depending on the stone type, availability, location, and construction method. A ton of stones covers 7 to 10 square feet on average.
| Stone type | Price per ton | Price per square foot of wall face |
|---|---|---|
| Limestone | $160 – $350 | $20 – $45 |
| Boulders | $100 – $350 | $15 – $35 |
| Fieldstone | $70 – $200 | $10 – $20 |
| Flagstone | $200 – $550 | $30 – $55 |
| Cobblestone | $60 – $160 | $10 – $15 |
| Keystone | $350 – $1,300 | $10 – $25 |
| Slate | $200 – $500 | $20 – $55 |
*Material prices only. Prices per square foot are for average stone walls 2’ wide.
Limestone retaining wall blocks cost
Natural limestone retaining wall blocks cost $65 to $90 per block or $20 to $45 per square foot, excluding delivery and installation. Total costs depend on the type, size, and quantity. Most limestone block sizes are 2 to 3 square feet each.
| Metric | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per block | $65 – $90 |
| Per square foot | $20 – $45 |
| Per ton | $160 – $350 |
*Material prices only.
Cost of boulders
Boulders cost $100 to $350 per ton on average or up to $600 per ton for extra-large boulders, not including delivery and installation. Prices depend on the rock type, size, and origin.
Cost to build a large stone retaining wall
Site location and land conditions greatly affect the various cost factors to build a large stone retaining wall:
- Length and height – Taller retaining walls need stronger and deeper foundations with more reinforcements, increasing the labor time.
- Design – Complex wall retaining walls with curves, steps, stones mortared into patterns, and other custom designs take more labor time.
- Foundation – A gravel subgrade base costs $1 to $3 per square foot to stabilize simple garden walls. A reinforced concrete footer costs $18 to $55 per linear foot for most walls more than 3’ to 4’ tall.
- Delivery – Stone delivery costs $30 to $100 on average or $5 to $10 per ton.
- Labor costs – Retaining wall builders charge $40 to $80 per hour or $10 to $30 per square foot, depending on the retaining wall type and location.
- Site access – Labor increases for rugged terrain and sites where delivery trucks and machinery can’t reach.
- Site leveling – Land grading costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot. Locate underground utility lines first.
- Building on slopes vs. level ground – Retaining walls on sloped land cost up to 3 times more than building on flat ground due to deeper footings and more drainage.
- Soil clearing – Tree stump removal costs $160 to $350 on average. Removing hard clay or rocky soil requires heavy machinery.
- Drainage – Installing a French drain costs $10 to $30 per linear foot to prevent erosion and soil pressure building behind the retaining wall.
- Landscaping repairs – Additional landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour or $4 to $12 per square foot for repairs.
- Backfill – Delivering fill dirt costs $150 to $600 per truckload or $15 to $50 per yard.
- Permits – A permit costs $50 to $250, depending on the wall size and local building codes.
- Engineering plans – A structural engineer costs $100 to $220 per hour for designing walls higher than 3’ to 4’ tall.
- Old wall removal – Excavation of old walls and dirt costs $130 to $230 per cubic yard, including disposal.
Frequently asked questions
How long do stone retaining walls last?
A natural stone retaining wall lasts 50 to 200 years on average, depending on the stone type, construction method, and installation quality. Ensure a long lifespan with regular inspections to promote proper groundwater drainage.
Do gabion walls need foundations?
Most gabion walls need foundations of 2” to 6” of road base rock. Gabion walls don’t need a foundation when built on level bedrock or hard and highly compacted ground. Locations with groundwater issues require a concrete base in some cases.
Hiring a natural stone retaining wall builder
Before hiring a masonry contractor or landscapers near you:
- Compare at least three quotes from various contractors.
- Look for installers certified by the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), or other masonry organizations.
- Beware of cheaper quotes that often mean lower-quality work.
- Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
- Pick licensed, insured, and bonded contractors with years of masonry experience.
- Don’t pay in full upfront. Follow a payment schedule.
- Collect an itemized bid listing all costs involved.
Questions to ask retaining wall companies
- Which stone type do you recommend for this wall and why?
- Can I see photos of other retaining walls you’ve built?
- Do all your stone materials come from the same local supplier, or will extra delivery fees apply for some stone types from further away?
- How long have you been building stone retaining walls?
- Can I see a scaled wall design and stone samples before construction?
- Do I need a French drain or pipe behind this retaining wall, and if not, why?
- How long will construction take, and how do you manage project delays?
- What will you build the retaining-wall foundation with?
- Will you pull the required building permits and be present for site inspections?
- Does my yard need grading or leveling before construction starts?
- Should I prepare space for the crew?
- Are all materials and labor fees in this estimate? What extra fees can I expect?
- Does the crew clean up after building, and does that cost extra?
- How should I contact the job supervisor?
- Do you hire subcontractors, and if so, does it cost extra to manage them?
- What’s your payment schedule?
- Can I get a contract copy before work begins?
- What’s in your warranty?
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted pros:
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Fieldstone Walls cost. (2021).
https://www.homewyse.com/costs/cost_of_fieldstone_walls.html -
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https://homeguide.com/costs/retaining-wall-cost -
How much does a brick or stone wall cost? (2021).
https://homeguide.com/costs/brick-stone-wall-fence-cost
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