Retaining Wall Construction
New Retaining Walls & Failing Wall Replacement
We Build New And Replace Failed Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are a necessary landscaping solution for properties with sloped terrain. Building a retaining wall allows you carve out flat, usable outdoor spaces on sloped ground. Retaining walls can hold back earth and soil which helps to create new level areas for the construction of a backyard patio, new garden bed, a new lawn, or even an outdoor kitchen. Retaining walls can be built using a variety of materials including natural stone or boulders or segmental blocks.
Why Do You Need A Retaining Wall On Your Property?
- Do you need to prevent soil erosion on your property?
- Do you have an existing retaining wall that has failed and needs to be rebuilt?
- Do you have a sloped property and want more flat, usable space?
- Do you want to create a new outdoor living space in your sloped backyard?
- Do you need solutions for handling elevation changes in your landscape?
JB's Landscaping is a National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) Segmental Retaining Wall Installer based out of Columbia, New Jersey and serving Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, including: Allamuchy, Budd Lake, Chester, Flanders, Hackettstown, Long Valley, Newton, Rockaway, Sparta, and Succasunna.
We specialize in building segmental block retaining walls for property owners who need to landscape a natural slope. From a 100′ foot long block retaining wall to hold back earth around the edge of your home to larger, more complicated, terraced retaining walls. The team at JB's Landscaping will be able to provide you with a retaining wall solution that will benefit your specific property.
Built for beauty, strength, and lasting impact
Retaining Walls That Will Stand The Test Of Time
Each of these retaining wall projects reflects the attention to detail, craftsmanship, and creativity that JB’s Landscaping brings to every retaining wall we build. Our designs are built for beauty, strength, and functionality.
Construction Of New Retaining Walls
At JB’s Landscaping, we specialize in the design and construction of segmental retaining walls that are as functional as they are visually striking. We follow industry best practices to ensure every wall is built with structural integrity, proper drainage, and long-term durability. We work with top-quality products from trusted manufacturers like Techo-Bloc and Cambridge to deliver walls that complement your landscape while standing up to the elements.
Segmental retaining walls offer numerous advantages—they’re modular, economical, and versatile in design, making them ideal for both structural and decorative purposes. These walls are pre-engineered to meet a range of specifications without the need for custom architectural plans. For projects that exceed specific height or load thresholds, we coordinate with licensed engineers to ensure proper design approval and compliance.
Retaining Wall Permits in Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties, NJ
In most municipalities across Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties, retaining walls under 4 feet in height typically do not require a permit or engineered design. However, there are exceptions depending on your township and the wall's purpose or location.
Walls 4 feet and taller usually require a permit, and walls over 6 feet almost always require both a permit and an engineered design to comply with New Jersey building codes and safety standards. Additional factors—such as slopes, drainage, and the weight (or “surcharge”) from driveways, structures, or slopes above the wall—can also impact permitting requirements.
When we visit your property, we’ll assess all relevant details including wall height, purpose, and site conditions. From there, we’ll help guide you through any necessary permits or engineering requirements specific to your municipality.
Proper Drainage For Retaining Walls
We are often contacted by potential customers who have an existing retaining wall that has failed, it’s either falling down, bulging, or collapsing. One of the most common reasons for retaining wall failure is that the original wall was built with poor drainage in place.
Retaining walls are designed to hold back earth from erosion. This also makes them excellent at holding back water too. The water that builds up behind a retaining wall is referred to in the industry as “hydrostatic pressure” and the external force of the soil or fill held behind your retaining wall coupled with the weight of the water held behind it is often enough to seriously compromise the integrity of your wall which can lead to failures such as bulging and even a total collapse.
Well-built retaining walls must incorporate good drainage if it’s going to last for many years. Depending on the type of material being used to build your retaining wall there are a variety of ways to integrate sufficient drainage such as lateral drains, french drains, weeping drains, blanket drains and also the use of very granular soil or fill behind the wall can also work to disperse rather than hold the water.
Understanding Retaining Wall Surcharges
A "surcharge" when it comes to a retaining wall is the weight on top of or behind the wall. For example, if you're building a retaining wall to create a new parking area for a boat or an RV we need to consider the weight of the boat or RV and it's impact on the retaining wall.
If your wall is going to have a surcharge it must be built with this in mind if it's going to last. This would also include tiered retaining walls or retaining walls with a fence on top or any other weight other than the earth it's holding back.
Geo-grid is often used to provide extra tensile strength to each course of your retaining wall so it's anchored to the ground behind it. Proper use of geo-grid will ensure that your retaining wall will be built to last and won't collapse or buckle under the excess weight.
Failure to properly stabilize retaining walls is another very common failure.
What Materials Do We Use For Retaining Walls?
There are many different materials to build your retaining wall out of. Below are some of the more popular materials in our area because of their availability.
- Block retaining walls
- Natural stone retaining walls
- Large boulder retaining walls
How Our Retaining Wall Construction Process Works
When building a retaining wall on your property that is designed to hold back soil and earth from erosion there is very little margin for error so when required we work directly with engineers if your wall is over 6 feet in height. There are many pre-engineered systems we can use as well that can eliminate the need for detailed building plans.
- We start with our initial consultation.
- We determine how many feet of retaining wall you need.
- We determine the height of the wall and if a building permit or engineer will be required.
- We take into account any surcharges (weight) the wall might be exposed to.
- We consult with you on the materials you’d like your retaining built with.
- We’ll provide you with an accurate written estimate for the work.
The amount of work required to build a retaining wall can vary widely from project to project. The slope of your property, the amount of earth your retaining wall must hold back and the overall accessibility of your property will all contribute to the final cost. We’ll be able to offer you an accurate estimate only after a site visit.
How Much Do Retaining Walls Cost To Build?
Retaining walls can vary in price depending on the length, height, and the materials chosen. Larger walls may need to be engineered which can add to the cost.
Smaller Garden Walls
$3,000 - $10,000
This would be for a small garden wall (under 2 feet high) to surround a small garden or to surround a small landscaping bed.
Medium Sized Walls
$10,000 - $30,000
This would be for a medium sized wall up to 4 feet high. Installed with drainage and geo-grid so it lasts.
Large Retaining Walls
$30,000 - $100,000+
This would be a ballpark cost for a very large or tiered retaining wall or multiple wall with courses that are 4 feet or higher
Retaining Wall Projects Can Include
A beautiful retaining wall isn't just for looks. They have an important job to do. Whether we're building a brand new retaining wall or replacing an existing retaining wall that has failed, there are a number of things we do.
These prices do not include stairs. If you need stairs built within your retaining wall there will be an additional cost. These price ranges are for a typical wall built using readily available landscape block. There are a wide variety of styles and patterns available and we'll be able to provide you with a selection during our consultation. The price can vary significantly depending on the specific material you choose.
Retaining Wall Repair Or Replacement
We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and/or collapsed.
Retaining Wall Repairs
It's pretty common for us to get called out to repair an existing retaining wall that has collapsed or failed in some way. This could be an old wood retaining wall that is rotting away or a block wall that is bulging or on the verge of collapse if it has not collapsed already.
Typically we don't recommend "repairing" retaining walls. The wall has failed for a reason and that reason is typically poor construction or a poor choice of materials. When a wall has failed we will usually recommend tearing the wall out and replacing it. This would include demolition of the old wall, re-excavating the area to allow for proper base materials, installation of proper drainage, and proper backfill. Building it right is the more cost effective option in most situations.
Rebuilding Failed Retaining Walls
If your existing retaining wall has failed and needs to be replaced it's usually more cost effective to demolish the old wall, remove the materials, re-excavate the site, install a proper base, geo-grid if necessary, install drainage, and build the retaining wall properly.
We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and would be happy to provide you with a consultation if you have a wall that you believe needs to be replaced.
Our Clients Love Us!
Here's What They Say
I have had JB's complete 2 projects at my house, one a firepit with patio and the other was a retaining wall along my driveway. Very happy with both projects and the quality of work. I would definitely recommend JB's for any type of hardscape projects.
Jeff & team have been apart of our home ownership for the last 17 Years, We continually have them back for Hardscape Projects, Lawn maintenance & Snow plowing. They are Extremely Polite, dress like professionals & Always at the end of the day Clean up the work area. Jbs, have done a spectacular job of walls, our giant Pool area, Patio, walk ways, mulching & making our very large Property Always looking it’s very best! I Love their ideas & suggestions. Any issues or concerns or Questions, Jeff is always a phone call or text, or on the Job, to address our thoughts. Ps.. they take care of our rental properties, All to look there very best. You are welcomed to our home to see, our 17 year old project! & of course All our other Projects over the years to present. Worth Every penny for an expert & experienced Job, with out worry. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
We have been customers since 2012! Every year we start off the season with a Spring Clean up in our gardens and lawn followed by a lawn fertilization. Then our weekly lawn cuttings go from mid April to late October early November. The maintenance team does a thorough job leaving our lawn looking neat and nicely manicured. The office staff is attentive and makes sure to satisfy our special requests. Kudos to JB’s, you will look forward to seeing their truck pull up to your property every week! LO (Blairstown)
Request Your Retaining Wall Consultation
More Retaining Wall Information
Enhancing Your Retaining Wall: Upgrades for Functionality and Aesthetics
Retaining walls are a fundamental aspect of landscaping, offering both functional support and aesthetic appeal to outdoor spaces. Whether you’re aiming to prevent soil erosion, create leveled gardening spaces, or enhance the…
Read More...
Retaining Wall Failures: A Comprehensive Guide
Retaining walls are fundamental in transforming and stabilizing sloped terrains into functional landscapes. However, when these structures fail, they can pose significant risks and financial burdens. Understanding the causes, including the role…
Read More...
Choosing Between Segmental Or Boulder Retaining Walls
When it comes to managing sloped landscapes and enhancing outdoor living spaces, retaining walls play a pivotal role. Among the most popular choices are segmental retaining walls and those constructed from natural…
Read More...
Ideas for a Sloped Yard
If you live in a hilly town, sloped neighborhood, or rolling countryside, you know how intimidating it can feel when you are trying to landscape. Sloped yards can be difficult to walk…
Read More...