Hold Grade, Manage Water & Stay Stable Through Freeze-Thaw
Retaining walls Edmonton homes need must hold grade, manage water pressure, and stay stable through freeze-thaw cycles. That requires proper base preparation, drainage systems, and correctly installed materials. We build retaining walls for grade changes, slope stabilization, and tiered garden beds across Edmonton and nearby communities. If you're still on Rough Grade (new construction), do not build a retaining wall until your Final Grade plan is approved.
- Structural wall builds with proper base and drainage
- Engineering-aware execution for taller wall conditions
- Slope and runoff planning to protect surrounding areas
- Step 1: Site Assessment We review height, loads, and drainage needs.
- Step 2: Base & Drain We build trench, base, and drainage system.
- Step 3: Wall Build We set courses, backfill in lifts, and finish.
Structural, Tiered & Planter Walls
Problem Solver (structural): Steep slope toward the house or large drop-off—thick block (e.g. Barkman RomanPisa), geogrid when needed. Level Up (tiered): Flat area for turf or patio—multiple low walls under 2 ft. Curb Appeal (planter): Decorative stone or textured blocks for front yards. We dig a trench and pack 6+ inches of crushed gravel; perforated drain behind the wall, blocks leveled and pinned, backfilled in lifts with free-draining material. In Edmonton, walls over 1.2 m (4 ft) require a Building Permit and engineer's seal.
St. AlbertRetaining Walls in St. Albert
We install retaining walls throughout St. Albert in neighbourhoods like Erin Ridge, Braeside, Lacombe Park, Deer Ridge, Riverside, and Grandin. For more, visit our St. Albert landscaping page.
$45 to $85 per Sq Ft of Wall Face
Retaining walls in Edmonton typically cost $45 to $85 per square foot of wall face depending on height, materials, site access, and drainage. Walls over 4 feet require engineering and permits, which add to cost and timeline. We primarily install Allan Block and similar segmental systems designed for freeze-thaw; properly installed they last 30+ years. We provide a detailed written quote after a site visit.
Why Homeowners Choose Us for Retaining Walls
Edmonton projects need more than good-looking installs. We plan every project for long-term performance, clean execution, and dependable communication from quote to completion.
Engineered Wall Builds
3-Year Hardscape + 1-Year Landscape Warranty
Licensed & Insured
No Deposit Required
Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove & Nearby
We provide retaining wall installation across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and surrounding communities. In Sherwood Park we serve Emerald Hills, Summerwood, Lakeland Ridge, and Heritage Hills. In Spruce Grove we cover Jesperdale, Brookwood, and Grove Meadows. Call 587-566-9879 or request a free quote.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Sc C
Jan 18, 2025The job was well done and the budget was fair. Steve was easy to talk to and he makes you feel confident in the process. He was prompt and his team works hard. We are happy with the results and can't wait to continue enjoying our landscape next summer.
Ahmed
5 months agoI know there are many landscaping companies out there, but Steve and his team truly stands out. They did an excellent job on our new build landscaping as well as constructing our new fence. The team was very professional, polite, responsive, and their pricing was fair. Highly recommended!
Don McDonnell
8 months agoI was lucky enough to find Serene construction landscaping through a Facebook group, the team showed up and walked me through the process and explained where the costs were coming from. They were all extremely professional and knowledgable. They worked like dogs for three days to get my lawn in pristine condition. It looks absolutely amazing.
I would have no worries, recommending Steve and his team for any landscaping project.
L Zook
38 weeks agoSteve from Serene Landscaping was great to deal with: professional, reliable and attentive to our requests. Our landscaping project was finished in a timely manner and we are very pleased with the final outcome.
Luis Corrales
43 weeks agoMy wife and I contacted Steve for a landscaping project in our house. We are extremely happy with the results, we definitely recommend Steve. Steve and his entire team are very hardworking people. They are attentive to details and provided great suggestions to improve our initial idea. We hope to work with Steve in future projects.
Christina Jean
47 weeks agoVery friendly, easy to work with and professional. Would recommend them for sure.
Common Questions About Retaining Walls in Edmonton
Quick answers about engineering, permits, and what to expect for retaining wall installation in Edmonton and area.
Get a Free QuoteRetaining walls typically cost $45 to $85 per square foot of wall face depending on height, materials, site access, and drainage complexity. Walls over 4 feet require engineering and permits, which add cost and timeline. We provide detailed quotes after a site assessment.
In the City of Edmonton, any wall over 1.2 m (4 ft) high requires a Building Permit and an engineer’s seal. We coordinate permit applications and inspections as part of the project.
Yes. Every quote includes a perforated drain pipe (weeping tile) behind the wall, wrapped in filter fabric and vented to a lower point. Hydrostatic pressure from melting snow is what kills walls here; drainage is non-negotiable.
We never build directly on Edmonton dirt or sand. We dig a trench and pack 6+ inches of crushed gravel (the “Hinterland” base) so the wall has a stable, drainable foundation.
If you’re still on Rough Grade (new construction), don’t build a retaining wall until your Final Grade plan is approved. Building before final grade can create conflicts with drainage and lot certification.
Most residential walls take 3 to 7 days depending on length, height, and site conditions. Permit approval adds 2 to 4 weeks to the timeline before construction starts.
Allan Block and similar segmental systems interlock without mortar, include engineered drainage, and handle freeze-thaw cycles well. Natural stone walls require mortar, skilled masonry work, and don't flex with ground movement. We recommend segmental systems for most residential applications.
Three factors prevent failure: proper base depth and compaction, drainage systems that manage water pressure behind the wall, and backfill material that allows water to drain through. Most wall failures result from inadequate drainage or poor base preparation.
