5 tips for choosing the right retaining wall contractor.

Many property owners struggle to make a decision on who they can trust when choosing the right retaining wall contractor. This decision can become difficult with the large range of local landscape and hardscape companies offering wall installation. In this guide, we will assist you in asking the right questions and how to do your homework when researching businesses in your area.

Lets start with a quick cheat sheet to keep on hand when consulting with the company you choose. We always tell potential customers to try at least 3 local companies when gathering estimates.

• Online presence & reputation.
• Experience & recommendation’s
• Using quality Materials
• Proper wall foundation
• Drainage Installation

Online Presence & Reputation.

Google is your friend when it comes to your search in finding a Reputable Retaining Wall Installation company near you. Not only will you find their business profile, website and social media accounts, You will also find reviews and Testimonials from past clients they have delt with. Take note in how long they have been in business, if they have Experience in this field and compare photos to see if the service they provide fits your needs.

Quality Materials, Quality Results!

Some of the first questions you should ask are “What materials and Installation steps do you follow”. Proper installation is only achieved when starting with quality materials. When it comes to retaining walls, Engineered blocks and concrete are far superior to wood or synthetic materials being sold at cheaper cost. If you want a wall that will last and improve your properties curb appeal as well as value, choosing cheap materials in not an option.

Proof is in the “Footing”

A tale tell sign that a wall was property constructed comes from the very beginning of construction. Your contractor should start by excavating the existing ground to ensure there is no settling during the building process or in the future. A proper Foundation consist of a compacted 6-10″ crushed stone base, Followed by a below grade foundation block that is backfilled with compactible stone or soil. This provides a stable foundation that will not shift or settle.

Drainage Installation Is Not Optional.

The number 1 failure of a retaining wall is due to zero or improper drainage systems. There are many forces that walls are subject to and most of them are a direct result of water intrusion and saturation. Saturated soils become unstable and can place large amounts of pressure against foundations and landscape features. Proper drainage consist of clean drainage stone backfill, perforated French drain pipes, soil separation with geo-textile fabric, catch basins and many other drain system components. Every wall and landscape layout will require different runoff water management systems that your contractor of choice should explain to you in the planning phase before construction.

Why Retaining Walls Fail

Most failed walls have the same problems. The failure begins with a Bad base layer. Incorrect drainage worsens this problem over time.

Fix these issues with the following solutions.

• Compacted stone base. Reduces the chances of base settling.
• Buried first block layer. This provides a solid foundation locking the wall in place,
• Clean drainage rock & commercial grade drainage pipe.
• Geogrid layers on walls over 48″ to lock the blocks into the ground
• Correct setback. The Belgard Diamond Pro 9D Block is engineered with this in mind

Ready to stop the erosion, Fix the slope and upgrade your yard? At the end of the day every homeowner wants to make the right choice. Don’t take a gamble on inexperienced contractors just because they have a cheaper price. Ensure they are well qualified and explain to you in great detail every step of the process and what you will be paying for.