Excel Landscaping is a trusted retaining wall contractor in St. Louis, designing and installing retaining wall systems that stabilize slopes, improve drainage, prevent erosion, and create usable outdoor living spaces built to last.
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Retaining walls are often built as part of larger outdoor living projects, creating the level, stable foundation needed for new patios, pools, walkways, driveways, and landscaped spaces. They can also solve problems like soil erosion, poor drainage, steep slopes, and failing walls before they lead to more extensive damage.
Every property is different, which is why our retaining wall projects are designed around each home’s layout, elevation, and long-term goals. Explore some of our recent retaining wall and hardscaping projects throughout the Greater St. Louis area to see what’s possible.
Explore real retaining wall projects completed across the St. Louis area, from slope correction and drainage improvements to backyard transformations with patios, steps, and outdoor living features.
Retaining walls are often built to support valuable outdoor spaces like pools, patios, driveways, and sloped backyards. Before construction begins, the property has to be evaluated for soil conditions, drainage, elevation changes, and the weight the wall will support. That planning helps determine the right retaining wall system for long-term performance.
A retaining wall supporting a pool or patio has to do more than hold back soil. Proper drainage, gravel backfill, grading, and drain pipe work together to relieve water pressure behind the wall and help protect the structures built around it.
Every wall starts with understanding the property, the slope, the water movement, and the role the wall needs to play.
We review slope, access, soil conditions, existing walls, runoff, and property connections.
Water movement is planned before construction so the wall is not fighting trapped water.
We recommend wall systems based on height, appearance, use, and structural needs.
The wall area is excavated, based, compacted, drained, reinforced, and built course by course.
The wall is backfilled, graded, cleaned up, and reviewed so the finished space is ready.
Some retaining walls are built to correct drainage, erosion, or failing slopes, while others are part of larger outdoor living projects that create more usable space. Whether you’re protecting your property or planning a new patio, pool, or landscape renovation, these are some of the most common reasons homeowners invest in retaining wall installation.
Washing soil, exposed roots, and collapsing beds are signs the property may need support.
Water moving across a slope can damage lawns, patios, foundations, and existing walls.
Retaining walls can create level areas for patios, play space, garden beds, and walkways.
Bulging, cracking, or leaning walls often point to drainage failure or soil movement.
Retaining walls provide the support needed before building patios, driveways, and pools.
Walls can make room for seating, steps, terraces, fire features, and patios.
The right material depends on height, drainage needs, budget, design goals, and whether the wall is decorative or structural.
A durable, versatile option for residential walls, terraces, patios, and grade changes.
A premium look with timeless character for garden walls and custom landscapes.
Strong, natural, and suited for larger slopes or organic landscape styles.
A budget-conscious option for some projects, but usually not the longest-lasting choice in wet conditions.
The strength of a retaining wall is determined long before the final block is installed. Proper preparation, reinforcement, and drainage all work together to protect the wall from movement and premature failure. Below are the key components that make the difference.
Compacted layers support the wall, distribute weight evenly, and help reduce settling and movement over time
Perforated drain pipe collects and redirects water away from the retaining wall, helping reduce hydrostatic pressure and protect the wall over time.
Clean gravel backfill allows water to drain freely instead of becoming trapped behind the retaining wall.
Geogrid extends into the slope behind the wall, creating additional strength and stability for taller retaining walls.
Surface grading directs water away from the retaining wall to help reduce erosion and protect the surrounding landscape.
Permit requirements vary by municipality, wall height, location, drainage impact, and whether the wall supports a driveway, pool, structure, fence, guardrail, or slope load.
Walls over certain heights, walls near property lines, walls supporting additional loads, and walls affecting drainage paths may require approvals.
Larger walls, structural walls, and walls supporting driveways, pools, or steep slopes may require additional design review.
Some retaining wall problems can be repaired, while others require replacement. These are the most common signs that indicate it’s time for a professional evaluation.
Many older railroad tie retaining walls eventually rot, shift, or lose structural strength, making replacement the safest long-term option.
Cracked blocks, separating joints, or widening gaps often indicate movement behind the wall or drainage issues that should be evaluated.
A wall that bows, bulges, or leans outward is often experiencing excessive pressure from soil or water and may require structural repair or replacement.
Many retaining wall projects include drainage, grading, patios, walkways, steps, or landscaping.
Create usable outdoor living space that connects naturally to planting beds and landscape borders.
Planting, bed layout, edging, and hardscape planning that make the finished space feel complete.
We source retaining wall systems, drainage products, aggregates, and hardscape materials from trusted manufacturers known for quality, durability, and long-term performance. Working with proven suppliers allows us to build retaining walls designed to perform for years in St. Louis soil and weather conditions.
Providing professional landscape and hardscape materials designed for durability and long-term outdoor performance.
Known throughout the industry for premium pavers and retaining wall systems that combine lasting durability with timeless design.
Industry-leading retaining wall systems designed to provide structural support, lasting performance, and a clean architectural finish.
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“We’re very happy with how our project turned out. The crew removed some old garden beds and installed a small retaining wall. The work was done well and Joe was friendly and easy to work with!”
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“Needed a retaining wall done, and excel was my first choice! I have relatives that had work done by excel that was completed beautifully. The retaining wall excel landscaping did for me came out amazing, I couldn’t be happier. Would recommend Excel 10/10 and look forward to using them for future projects!”
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Our crews are familiar with drainage, access, grading, and clay soil conditions across nearby communities.
Free property assessment. No travel fees. No surprises.
Serving St. Louis County and nearby communities
While every retaining wall project is unique, our years of experience designing and installing retaining walls throughout the St. Louis area have shown that most projects start around $8,000. The final investment depends on factors such as wall height, length, material selection, drainage requirements, site access, engineering needs, and what the wall is designed to support.
Yes, proper drainage is one of the most important parts of any retaining wall installation. Without it, water can build up behind the wall, creating pressure that leads to leaning, bulging, cracking, and premature failure. Excel Landscaping engineers every retaining wall with the appropriate drainage system, including backfill, drainage aggregate, and water management solutions, to relieve hydrostatic pressure and ensure long-term structural performance.
Sometimes, but it depends on why the wall is failing. If a retaining wall is leaning because of drainage issues, poor base preparation, soil movement, or structural failure, replacement is often the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution. Excel Landscaping begins every retaining wall project with an on-site evaluation to assess soil conditions, drainage, slope, and the surrounding environment. That allows us to recommend the right solution and build a retaining wall designed to withstand St. Louis weather and perform reliably for years to come.
In many cases, residential retaining walls can be built without a permit. However, taller walls, certain municipalities, and site-specific conditions may require engineering, permits, or local approval. Excel Landscaping engineers the retaining wall to meet local requirements and handles the permitting process on your behalf, ensuring the finished wall is structurally sound, fully compliant, and built to perform for years to come.
The best retaining wall material depends on the wall’s height, purpose, soil conditions, drainage requirements, and the overall design of the property. Segmental concrete block systems are a popular choice for many residential retaining walls, while natural stone and engineered wall systems may be better suited for larger, structural, or custom projects. Excel Landscaping works with industry-leading manufacturers and suppliers to recommend proven retaining wall systems designed for long-term strength, durability, and performance.
Tell us about your property and we’ll take it from there. Every project starts with a site visit, no commitment required.
