New Retaining Wall Construction, Repair, and Replacement.
We are your Oregon City and Portland Oregon retaining wall specialists!
Retaining walls are a great addition to any landscape, especially if your property has an existing slope. Building a retaining wall allows you to reclaim some of that lost space by carving out usable outdoor spaces on sloping ground that would otherwise not be usable. Retaining walls can hold back earth and soil which helps to create new level areas for the construction of a new garden bed, a new lawn, a patio or an outdoor cooking area, a parking area, and more. Retaining walls can be built using a variety of materials including rock, brick, block, boulders, or even wood.
Why Do You Need A Retaining Wall On Your Property?
- Do you need to prevent soil erosion on your property?
- Do you want to add more character or style to your landscape?
- Do you have an existing retaining wall that has failed and needs repair or rebuilt?
- Do you have a sloped property you’d like to landscape?
- Do you want to create a new outdoor living space?
- Do you want some raised garden beds around your home or property?
White Oak Landscapes is a landscaping contractor based out of Oregon City, OR and serving the Portland Metro area. We build retaining walls in Tualatin, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, and Portland.
We specialize in designing and building functional retaining walls for property owners looking to landscape their naturally sloped property. From a 50′ foot long stacked block retaining wall to hold back earth around the edge of your home to larger, more complicated, retaining walls for your terraced property. The team at White Oak Landscapes will be able to provide you with a retaining wall solution that will benefit your specific property.
New Retaining Wall Construction
We specialize in the construction of new segmented retaining walls. The benefits to a segmented retaining wall system are many. Segmented retaining walls are aesthetically pleasing, they offer design flexibility, they are economical, easier to install, and durable. They are also pre-engineered, meaning the wall can be built to your project specifications without having to have an architect or engineer design the wall itself. We can build the wall to the engineering specifications and have a qualified engineer sign off on the project if the height or size of the wall requires it.
Retaining Walls & Building Permits in Oregon City, OR
In most of Oregon City (your municipality could be different) retaining walls that are under 3 feet in height generally do not require permits or design plans. There are some specifics that may or may not apply to your situation. If the retaining wall is 3 feet in height or over than a permit is generally required. Any retaining walls over 6 feet in height will require a permit and additionally an engineered design to ensure the structure is sound. This information does not account for any covenants that might be on your property.
When we view your property we’ll be able to let you know any specific building codes that might apply to your circumstance depending on the height/length of your wall and what it’s specifically being installed for and whatever surcharges (weight) might be applied to the soil above and behind the wall.
Proper Drainage For Your Retaining Wall
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.
Any well-built retaining wall 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 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.
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
- Timber retaining walls
- Fieldstone retaining walls
- Brick retaining walls
- Natural stone retaining walls
- Large boulder retaining walls
- Concrete block 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.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation for your retaining wall construction project please give us a call 503-387-7311 or fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.
What Does It Cost To Build Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls can vary in price depending on the size, scope, length, height, and the materials chosen. Larger walls will need to be engineered which can add to the cost.
Smaller Garden Walls
$3000 - $5000
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 - $25,000
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.
These prices are ball park figures to give you a rough idea as to what you should expect. Your particular project may vary depending on site accessibility, materials chosen, and the overall scope of work. If you need a firm price please request a consultation so we can view your potential project, listen to your ideas, and determine the actual scope of work required to complete your project. After our on-site consultation we'll be able to provide you with a firm estimate to complete your project.
Retaining Wall Replacement Or Repair
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 for a variety of reasons. It's 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.
What Our Clients Say...
We strive for 100% customer satisfaction through prompt communication and following through on our promises
The White Oak crew are made of really exceptional people. I had the great joy of working for them for a few years, and really got to experience what it’s like to work with attentive, creative and kind people who strive to do solid work. The creativity, quality of work and professionalism that White Oak has cultivated in their team I think really elevates their services beyond what most landscaping companies out their can provide. If you go with this company, you’ll not only be provided with amazing landscaping care with fine gardening and construction experts, but you’ll also be working with true collaborators who actively listen to your needs with great humor and kindness. Many years after moving on, this company still stands out as an amazing work experience for me. Whatever your garden goals are, White Oak is a great example of a company that helps you meet them with collaboration, outstanding professionalism, and expertise.
I recently enlisted White Oak Landscape to enhance my yard as part of the preparation to sell my home in Beaverton, upon recommendation from my real estate agent. I was thoroughly impressed with their prompt, professional service and attention to detail. The team transformed the yard quickly and efficiently, creating a clean, polished look that significantly enhanced the property’s appeal. Their pricing was fair and competitive, reflecting the quality of their work. I highly recommend White Oak Landscape to anyone seeking reliable, high-quality landscaping services.
We are so grateful for all the hard work done by Taylor and McKinley to provide us a future sight blocker between our house and the neighbor's deck. They were very efficient in planting the 6 arborvitae including checking and adjusting depth of the holes and adding fertilizer to ensure a good start. Max worked within our time frames and kept us looped in on what day they would be arriving. I highly recommend White Oak for any of your landscape, etc needs 😊.
We’ve been using White Oak for years at our home in Oregon City. They’ve helped us design and construct some very special and intricate landscapes, exceeding our expectations. We enjoy working with Max and Kate and all the rest of their crew immensely.
We had a great experience with Max & the White Oak team! They listened carefully to what we wanted to accomplish, right-sized the solution to the problem (in our case, planting a front yard but not adding a retaining wall), brought a lot of knowledge to plant selection, and left the yard looking fantastic. We'll work with them again!
We love our landscaping by White Oak Landscapes! They were easy to work with — responsive and very considerate. They adapted their design for our yard based on our preferences (low maintenance) and constraints (budget), and provided helpful advice on what plants work best for our yard and how we might best care for them. We’ve received numerous compliments from our friends and neighbors on our front yard landscaping and would recommend White Oak to anyone.
Amazing people and built the most incredible landscape and water feature / natural swimming pond.
Sixteen-year-old pressure treated garden steps were failing and we were looking to get them replaced with the same thing. Instead, White Oak Landscaping suggested a better material that looks gorgeous. Once we got on the schedule, Max and Kate arrived and within hours we had a beautiful set of steps to our vegetable garden. A list has been drawn up for future projects and we hope to be able to collaborate with them again.
The White Oak team has been our go-to landscaper for many years. We have always been very happy with their services.
Very nice people to work with. They were very conscientious about our existing lawn and plantings. Even though they needed to do a little digging around the repair areas, I could hardly tell it was disturbed. I love the way the sprinkler work and cover the lawn area now. It’s never looked better! Thanks!!
Max responded to my sprinkler repair request promptly and arrived exactly when he promised. He fixed the problem perfectly and even did a follow up call to verify that the system was working well. I highly recommend White Oaks Landscapes!
White Oak took my very utilitarian needs/ideas and created a work of art! When I step outside I feel like I’m out in nature, not in a suburban backyard. Max and Kate and their whole crew were a pleasure to work with.
Would highly recommend working with Max and his team!
After hours and hours trying to figure out why one of my irrigation zones wasn't putting out enough pressure, I called Max at White Oak. Wow, 2 hours later not only had he isolated the issue and fixed it, they replaced my old heads with new ones, increasing the coverage over my lawn. Most important for me, was his description of all the other yard work they offer. Trimming, edging, mowing, fertilizing, weeding......on and on. Thanks so much, I will be using them into the future. Highly recommended.
We were so happy to find this great landscaper. Good communication and nice to work with. We wanted some work done on our overgrown front yard and mentioned another project. They gave good suggestions and grouped it all together into one fairly priced job. They squeezed us into their schedule and did the work in one day. We were so happy we immediately requested another job, which they did the following week. The gravel settled and was a little low, but they had no issue topping it off and smoothing it out, which they had anticipated needing to do. We will definitely continue to use them for all our landscaping needs. Thanks for being so great to work with!
WOW!!! I got an early Christmas present. Taylor and Noah prepared my gardens for winter. I had not been able to weed 2 of them for over a year due to some health issues. They did a super clean up job. Will definitely use them next Spring to replant one or two of the gardens. Thanks for making my day!!!
We had White Oak develop a full front yard landscape for us, and Max and Kate were really responsive to both our landscape needs and our budget. The work was done very quickly and there was never any question about what things were going to cost. Looking forward to doing more work with them in the spring!
What a great and professional team. I’ll be recommending grandiflora to all my neighbors.
Max and his team greatly improve the landscaping around our home in NW Portland in preparation for listing it for sale. From a design perspective, he had a wonderful strategy of where to focus on a large property to maximize value. The installation and irrigation was done correctly and without issues. The new gardens showed really well, were easy to maintain during the sales period, and we more than recouped our landscaping investment with Grandiflora Gardens.
I’ve never seen such professional and aesthetically minded landscapers. Lex and Zach knew their equipment (and used it SO efficiently!) that I could trust their work at an extremely high comfort level. Our job was not done as early as expected, but it was because of a very wet spring and our location/soil type. If I had the money, I’d hire this company for all my landscaping needs. They suggested good options for situations, and let me choose the option I liked, even when it wasn’t their favorite. Great company, and incredible staff.
Max not only gave me the most reasonable bid for the job, but he did great work and returned as soon as the system needed some tweaking. Outstanding customer service!
I had a great experience with Max from Earth, Water and Wood and would highly recommend hiring them. Max was professional, prompt and incredibly knowledgeable. I hired him to help out with a broken sprinkler head. He was able to fix the problem quickly and then did a full review of our sprinkler system and made some recommendations and changes to improve our system's efficiency and cut down our water usage costs. I highly recommend hiring Earth, Water and Wood.
Max and his crew are great! We've been working together for about 8 years now and my garden is a testament to his knowledge about plants and trees. Everything is thriving! He's easy to schedule with, he and crew are friendly, knowledgable people, and I feel very comfortable having them work around my house. I highly recommend them!
Max, the owner of earth water and wood has been absolutely fantastic with communication and did an amazing job with Lighting in my front yard. I highly recommend and will be using his services in the future for all other properties that need landscape care or lighting needs.
Our HOA property (River Royal Terrace) is fortunate to have found Earth, Water & Wood to rehab and care for our gardens and lawn. Max, owner, has been proactive in designing and carrying out his vision. His crew is exceedingly friendly and knowledgeable. We look forward to Spring's beauty and continuing this relationship. Thank you EWW!
I highly recommend Earth, Water & Wood. I had some difficulty finding someone who would take care of basic mowing for my lawn in Milwaukie at a reasonable price and I finally found it with these guys. They do a great job at mowing but not scaring my lawn and have great crews that come to do the work. I will definitely follow through and use them again next spring when lawn season starts up again.
Choose The Right Retaining Wall Builder
Building a retaining wall isn't rocket science but it must be done right if you want the retaining wall to last!
You Want A Beautiful New Retaining Wall...?
There are literally hundreds of landscaping contractors you could choose from throughout the Portland area to design and build your retaining wall. They range from small one man show type businesses to very large landscaping companies with lots of overhead.
Somewhere in the middle is the landscaping contractor that's probably best suited for your retaining wall construction project. Finding a landscaping contractor you can trust to take your vision and transform it from a beautiful design concept into reality is your ultimate goal.
Remember... You're not hiring a landscaper. You're hiring someone to improve your property and make it more aesthetically pleasing. It's an important distinction.
What Should You Consider?
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out who to hire to design and build your new retaining wall. To make things easier when trying to determine who the right landscape design/build contractor is for your project is, start with these questions.
Do they specialize in retaining wall design/build projects of the same scope and scale of the project you have envisioned for your property? If yes, how long have they been in business?
Do they have great reviews from other homeowners who've hired them to design and build their retaining wall?
Do they offer any type of workmanship warranty or any after sales service if there is ever a problem?
Do they have photos and references of the work they are capable of doing?
Request Your Retaining Wall Consultation