Retaining wall construction in South Whittier CA - a wall that drains and holds
Soil sliding down your slope or an old wall leaning out? We build retaining walls sized to the height and planned for drainage.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
When you need a retaining wall
A retaining wall holds back earth, so a sloped yard becomes ground you can use, like garden terraces or a level spot for planting. We handle retaining wall construction in South Whittier and the cities around it. How tall the wall has to be decides what kind we build, and we plan where the water goes before anything else.
The price moves with the wall's height and length, the type of wall that height calls for, the drainage behind it and how easy it is to get material to the spot. The schedule turns on whether a permit is needed and on getting utilities marked before we dig. My estimate on site gives you the figure for your wall.
Sized to the height
The wall's height decides whether block alone will work or the wall needs reinforcing.
Drainage behind it
Gravel and a drain behind the wall let water out so pressure doesn't build up.
A firm base
We dig out and pack a level base so the first course sits true.
Usable ground above
The slope turns into level ground for planting, a patio or garden terraces.
Is a retaining wall the right job?
Some of our work holds back soil, some builds new walls and paving, and some repairs what's there, so start with the problem.
- Foundation repairThis pageA good fit when cracks or settling show up in your house's foundation.
- Chimney repairThis pageFor a chimney with loose brick, a cracked top or water getting inside.
- TuckpointingThis pageChoose this when mortar joints are worn but the brick itself is still sound.
- Brick repairThis pageRight for cracked, flaking or loose bricks that need to be replaced.
- Driveway paversThis pageWhen you want a driveway of pavers that can be lifted and reset later.
- Retaining wall constructionThis pageWhen a slope needs holding back so you get level, usable ground.
- Masonry restorationThis pageSuits older brick or stone that needs cleaning, repair and new mortar together.
- Fireplace installationThis pageFor adding a new masonry fireplace inside the house or out in the yard.
- Stone veneer installationThis pageA good pick when you want the look of stone without building full stone walls.
- Concrete block wallsThis pageWhen you need a freestanding block wall for privacy or along a property line.
- Foundation block wall installationThis pageFor new block foundation walls under an addition or an outbuilding.
- Outdoor kitchen masonryThis pageWhen you want a built-in grill counter made of block, brick or stone.
- Walkway constructionThis pageFor a new path to the front door, the side gate or the backyard.
- Brick wall installationThis pagePick this for a new brick wall or garden wall that matches your house.
- Stone masonryThis pageWhen you want walls, steps or other features built from natural stone.
- Brick pointingThis pageFor refilling worn mortar joints on a smaller section of brick.
Retaining wall styles to consider
Press a photo to see it larger, and ask us about a style you like.
Why choose K&L for your retaining wall
I see every job myself
I come out to size up every job in person, and I work alongside my crew while the wall goes up, so you know who's in your yard.
Fully licensed and insured
We're fully licensed and insured for the work we do on your property, from digging out the base to backfilling behind the wall.
Raised on masonry crews
I mixed mortar and hauled block on crews all through school, then started this business here in South Whittier.
From your call to the finished wall
I tell you what we're doing before we start, and you'll know who's on your property each day.
You call or send a request
Call (562) 358-3030 or use the form, and we get back to you to set a visit.
I look at the slope
I measure the slope, check where water runs and note which permit office covers your address.
Your estimate
I lay out the wall type, the drainage plan and the price so you can decide.
We build the wall
After any permit and utility marking, my crew and I dig, set the base and build the wall.
We walk it together
I walk the finished wall with you, and we clean up before we leave.
Common retaining wall questions
Read through these, and if your wall raises something they don't cover, call or send the form.
Ask us directly
Call (562) 358-3030 or send the form with anything the list doesn't answer, and we'll get back to you.
How much does a retaining wall cost in South Whittier?
Building a retaining wall in the Los Angeles area usually costs about $3,000 to $11,500 per job. Height moves it most, since a taller wall needs reinforcing and more digging, and length, drainage and access add to it. I'll give you the number for your own wall when I come out to look.
What kind of retaining wall do I need for my slope?
Height decides it. One wall-type guide says block walls suit heights up to about 4 to 5 feet, and past that they need geogrid, a mesh laid in the backfill, because block alone won't keep the wall from tipping. From about 5 feet to roughly 20, it calls a poured wall with steel reinforcing the most cost-efficient engineered choice.
Why does drainage matter so much for a retaining wall?
Poor drainage is by far the most common reason retaining walls perform badly, and left alone it can lead to the wall failing. Drains that can be cleaned out are more reliable than plain weep holes, the small openings that let water out through the wall face, since those tend to clog over the years. That's why we plan the water first.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in South Whittier?
Retaining walls are on LA County Public Works' list of permit types, and its South Whittier District Office handles building permits here. A job that moves soil or reshapes a slope can also need a grading permit. We check what your address needs before we start, and when a permit is needed we take care of it as the licensed contractor.
What do I need to do before a retaining wall goes in?
Mostly, leave time for utility marking, because the 8-1-1 Call Before You Dig service marks underground lines a few days before digging starts. We'll also work out with you where materials get dropped and stored, so the path to the wall stays clear while we build.
Tell us about your retaining wall
Send the wall's rough height and length and a few photos of the slope. We reply within one business day and set up a free on-site estimate with no obligation.
Whittier, CA 90604