Experienced Retaining Wall Contractors

I've been consulting on and installing Retaining Walls since 1991. I started my own business, Creative Retaining & Landscaping, in 2001. We can install every type of Retaining Wall. From Gabions and Concrete Block Retaining to Dry Stone Walling. During this time I've picked up vital experience.

(1) For Starters, there's a Difference between Private Residential and Commercial Retaining.

• When tendering on Government or Commercial Walls, everything has been drawn up, surveyed and put in a Bill of Quantities before the contractor gets to the site. This may take weeks or even months. The contractor need to tender his rates and apply. There are more red tape though. For instants, Health and Safety, site establishment and certificates. This makes it very expensive, but the client is almost certain of getting a top notch end result and the installer is almost certain of getting payment.
• Residential Quotes work a bit different. It's more informal. Saving money is usually an important part of the transaction. The person doing the quote needs to do the measurements on site, mostly alone and sometimes without any surveying equipment. I usually email the quote the same day or the day after, because it's not always about the best price, but the best service. Designs are not as elaborate as above and Health and Safety is not priority, bringing the price down quite significantly.

(2) Experience is More Important than Education and Price.

More experience = More mistakes made = Less mistakes will be made in the future.

Although Education are very important, especially when it comes to forces, soil types and calculations; without experience it could lead to overkill or tunnel vision. I had a young engineer tell me to cast concrete in every concrete block and to reinforce it. This almost doubled the cost of the wall. Concrete Retaining Wall blocks are designed to be able to move (a little bit). In a similar situation a brick wall would crack, thus using the retaining wall blocks. So, to cast concrete in each block it makes it impossible for the blocks to move and you might as well build a normal brick wall with reinforcing.

If an experienced contractor tell you that you need 1000 blocks and a newbie quotes on 900, don't just except the cheapest, ask some questions.

(3) Everybody has got their Own Opinion.

Have you listened to a conversation at a braai? Doesn't matter which subject, nobody has exactly the same opinion. It's the same with Retaining Walls. Everyone believe their design is the way to go, but there are unlimited varieties that will stand the test of time. If you are a practical person, normal common sense will tell you if a design is risky.

Finally: My advise it to ask contractors for references, some pictures of their work, their experience and education to make a calculated decision.

(Photo: My introduction to Retaining Walls, back in 1991.)