Retaining walls
A retaining wall holds soil back so a slope can become level, usable ground. It can create a flat lawn or patio on a hillside lot, a raised planter, or a clean edge where two parts of the yard sit at different heights.
Because the wall is holding weight, how it is built matters more than how it looks. We build retaining walls on proper footings, with reinforcement and drainage behind them.
5-year workmanship warranty
Every retaining walls installation we build is covered by our 5-year workmanship warranty. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors holds contractors responsible for their workmanship for 2 years. We stand behind ours for more than twice that.
What we install
Sloped lots
Walls that terrace a hillside into level areas for a lawn, patio or planting.
Raised patios
A wall that supports a patio built up above the surrounding grade.
Raised planters
Lower walls that lift planting to eye level and double as seating.
Terraces
Two or more shorter walls stepped up a slope, with planting between them.
Materials and design
- Height
- The taller the wall, the more it has to resist. Taller walls can require engineering and a permit, depending on the city.
- Drainage
- Water building up behind a wall is the usual reason walls fail. Gravel backfill and drain outlets relieve that pressure.
- Finish
- Decorative block, stucco or stone veneer, chosen to match the house and nearby hardscape.
Built for Arizona
- Monsoon storms saturate the soil behind a wall quickly, so drainage is built in from the start.
- Hillside lots are common across Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and the foothills, and a wall is often what makes them usable.
- Footings are set into firm ground, below loose surface soil.
How the installation goes
Installed by Horizon’s own crew. We do not subcontract our landscape installations.
Assessment
We look at the slope, the height needed and what the wall will support.
Excavation and footing
The base is excavated and a reinforced concrete footing is poured.
Wall
Block is laid, reinforced and filled as it rises.
Drainage and backfill
Drain rock and outlets are installed behind the wall, then it is backfilled.
Finish
The wall is capped and finished in stucco, veneer or decorative block.
Our work
Completed Horizon projects that include this work, each with its own page.
Real Horizon projects.
Explore Our WorkCommon questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
It depends on the height of the wall and your city. Taller walls commonly need engineering and a permit. We go over what applies to your wall during planning.
Why do retaining walls fail?
Most often because of water pressure behind the wall and footings that are too small. Both are avoided with proper drainage and a correctly sized, reinforced footing.
What warranty do retaining walls have?
Our retaining walls carry a 5-year workmanship warranty.
Related services
Hardscape and Masonry
Seat walls, fire features, steps, planters and block work that give a yard its structure.
Landscape Drainage Solutions
Grading, drains and swales that move monsoon water away from the house.
Paver Installation
Patios, driveways, walkways and pool decks on an excavated, compacted base with edge restraint and polymeric sand.
Complete Backyard Remodels
One plan and one crew for the whole yard: grading, hardscape, turf, planting, lighting and shade structures.
Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek and the rest of the Phoenix Valley.
Get a free estimate
Tell us about your retaining walls project and we will get back to you to arrange a visit.
- Call
- (602) 380-7146
- Hours
- Monday to Friday: 7:00am to 5:00pmSaturday: 8:00am to 3:00pmSunday: Closed
- License
- Arizona ROC 357677