Guides and resources
Everything we tell customers on the site visit, written down
Costs, permits, drainage, clay soil and how to spot a wall that is about to fail. Written by the crew that builds them.
Design
Building a Retaining Wall on Clay SoilHow heavy clay soil around London changes retaining wall base, drainage and material decisions, and what happens when a wall is built without those adjustments.
8 min read
Do Retaining Walls Add Property ValueHow a properly built retaining wall affects Ontario resale value, usable yard space and buyer confidence, and how a failing wall shows up in an inspection.
8 min read
- How Retaining Wall Drainage Actually Works
A breakdown of the drainage stone, weeping tile and filter fabric behind every wall we build, and why skipping any layer shortens a wall's life.
9 min read
Permits
- Do You Need a Permit for a Retaining Wall in Ontario
When Ontario retaining walls require a building permit and engineering, how the 1 metre threshold is measured, and how the permit process runs.
8 min read
- Retaining Wall Height Limits and When Engineering Kicks In
How Ontario retaining wall design, permits and engineering requirements scale with height, and how tiered walls change the calculation.
8 min read
Maintenance
- How Long Do Retaining Walls Last, By Material
Lifespan ranges for concrete, block and timber retaining walls, plus the drainage and base factors that make or break those numbers.
8 min read
How to Stain a Wooden Retaining Wall the Right WayHow to clean, dry, choose stain for and apply protective coating to a wood retaining wall, plus how often Ontario weather requires re-staining.
9 min read
- Retaining Wall Maintenance: A Seasonal Checklist
A twice-yearly retaining wall maintenance checklist covering drainage outlets, movement, vegetation and when a problem needs a professional.
8 min read
Materials
- How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Material
A practical walkthrough of block, concrete, timber and natural stone retaining walls, matched to height, soil and budget for Ontario properties.
9 min read
- Timber vs Block Retaining Walls: Which Fits Your Yard
A side by side comparison of timber and interlocking block retaining walls on upfront cost, lifespan, maintenance, appearance and height limits.
8 min read
Cost
- Retaining Wall Cost in Ontario: 2026 Pricing Guide
Current 2026 Ontario retaining wall prices per linear foot by material, plus the height, access, drainage and permit factors that move the number.
8 min read
Repair
Signs Your Retaining Wall Is FailingHow to read the warning signs of a failing retaining wall, from cosmetic cracking to urgent bowing, and what each one means for your timeline.
8 min read
Free site visit and written quote
Still have a question the guides did not answer?
Call or send a photo of the wall. Kyle will tell you what he sees, free, before you decide anything.