What are Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls are the structures built on slopes or terrains to provide even areas for construction and landscaping. The walls are built using a variety of materials including timber, natural stones, bricks, and concrete blocks.
These walls typically consist of two or more layers filled with soil, smaller stones, gravel, or rocks to hold the layers together tightly. This filling also provides additional protection against soil erosion or harsh weather conditions like wind and rain.
Retaining walls help stabilize the ground and provide flat areas for gardens, seating areas, or patios, making your yard functional and accessible.
In case of flooding or heavy rainfall, retaining walls divert the water away from your property. The water is channeled to the downhill to reduce the damage to your home’s architecture and landscaping.
Why You Shouldn’t Attempt Yourself?
Building a retaining wall might seem like stacking materials to hold the soil in place. However, the process is not that simple.
A keen understanding of geotechnical engineering principles, adherence to local building codes, and the ability to choose specific materials suitable for the environmental conditions of the site is required.
Although you can do it yourself, hiring a retaining wall contractor, such as Guerrero Landscaping, makes the project smooth, time-saving, and economical.
Our licensed landscaping experts are well-equipped with the knowledge of the intricacies of building retaining walls and the specialized skills required to achieve the desired results.
Garden Walls vs Retaining Walls
Garden walls are low, about 1-2 feet above the surface, and define a boundary between two separate lands. Some are strong enough to create a decorative garden in the yard. However, these walls cannot withstand heavily packed soils, especially along a slope, which then requires a retaining wall.
A retaining wall is designed to hold a considerable amount of soil, which otherwise be eroded, hence named the retaining wall. These walls are sturdy, thick and can be decorative, but the primary role is to retain soil to create a garden.
Retaining walls are often confused with garden walls. But there are substantial differences. Garden walls are used to define boundaries and cannot hold a heavy amount of soil. While retaining walls are built to hold back soil.
Do I Need a Retaining Wall?
If you notice the following indications in your yard, it’s probably time to get a retaining wall by experienced professionals:
- No flat soil to grow vegetation.
- Problems with the drainage.
- Issues with the foundation.
- The backyard isn’t separated.
- Possible erosion.
What to Look for When Hiring a Retaining Wall Builder?
Hiring a professional contractor means choosing between a successful project and a waste of money and time. Considering these qualities helps you decide what you can expect in the final results.
1. License and Insurance
A license is authentic proof that your builder meets the industry regulations and standards and is committed to legal compliance. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured to protect your project from legal and financial consequences.
It’s a guarantee that the builder follows a regulatory framework and is accountable for any unforeseen damage.
2. Technical Knowledge
Apart from basic construction principles, the contractor must also have a strong knowledge of drainage solutions, soil analysis, and specific site conditions.
This makes the retaining process aesthetically pleasing and sound. Hiring knowledgeable contractors cut down future expenses such as cracks and water pooling.
3. Experience
An experienced builder handles all the challenges and problems during the construction process effectively, to ensure peace of mind. Builders with a track record in your relevant project employ best practices to deliver the best quality workmanship.
These experience and expertise, developed over years of service, reduce the potential risks of structural failure and future concerns.
4. Reputation
Reputation speaks volumes of customer service, reliability, and quality work. Reputable builders are committed to maintaining high standards and customer satisfaction. This transparency and ability to showcase their work represents how much confidence they have in their skill-set and expertise.
While reviewing reputable contractors, ask for references and view previous projects to have insights into their work ethics and client satisfaction.
5. Competitive Pricing
Depending on the type and quality of material used, the installation cost of retaining walls can be high. Therefore, look for the contractors that get you the task done within pocket-friendly pricing.
Do your research well, get quotes from different contractors, and compare the pricing plans before making a decision.
6. Customer Reviews
95% of the customers read an online review before making a decision. 92%of the customers say that they visit a business only if it has at least 4-star reviews.
Customer reviews are a deciding factor as to whether you should avail particular services or not. It’s advisable to check credentials and background history before hiring the retaining builder.
Benefits of Working with a Retaining Wall Contractor
Hiring contractors gives you peace of mind, overall cheaper cost, and qualified professionals to assist you in getting an aesthetic wall for your territory. Other major relaxations are:
Fantastic Deals
Contractors have a strong network with material providers and other contractors. This enables you to get some fantastic pricing that you cannot avail of if you opt for a do-it-yourself project.
Guarantee
Most contractors guarantee compensation if the retaining wall damages or harms your property. This saves you from having to worry about losing money if the project fails or does not bring out the required results.
High-quality Results
Hiring contractors is the best way to get the task done quickly and properly. Extensive experience and usage of high-quality material cuts down the amount of completion time and delivers a quick final product.
Stress-free Project
Retaining walls can cause a lot of stress and exhaustion if you attempt to source all the material on your own. Instead of going through the stress and taking the time to plan and build it, hire a contractor to do the job for you while you focus on other important tasks.
It's easy with Guerrero Landscaping
Retaining a wall can be challenging, but with licensed professionals like Guerrero Landscape, you can save yourself a decent amount of money, time, and few headaches. Our professional landscapers have been bringing beauty to the Texas landscapes since ages.We aim to get you a retaining wall that you have been dreaming of.
If you need a retaining wall but haven’t built it before, let Guerrero landscape do the job for you. Our experienced contractors specialise in building and installing retaining walls to elevate the beauty standards of your landscapes.
Get in touch today or get a free quote to explore various possibilities at a reasonable pricing.
