ArcaMax

Today you’ll find a variety of materials that can make up a retaining wall designed to hold back the soil and plantings in a landscape. If soil erosion is an issue, consider consulting with an expert at a garden center or hiring a landscaper who has experience with erosion in your area. For a basic retaining wall to contain a flower or vegetable bed, concrete blocks are a popular choice.

To build a 30-foot square concrete block retaining wall, a landscaper will charge $4,144, which includes labor and material. You can buy the block system for $2,524 and do it yourself and save 39%. Choose a wall system designed for a DIYer; it usually has interlocking components and comes in a nice selection of natural shades and a variety of shapes that enhance a landscape.

Stacking concrete blocks with an interlocking lip or tongue-and-groove system is a good choice, especially if this is your first landscaping project. The job involves laying out the design, digging a trench for the blocks and hauling all the materials, including the blocks, soil or pea gravel used for its foundation. The material can be heavy and bulky to transport, so unless you have a pickup truck it’s a good idea to have the material delivered near the jobsite in your yard.

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved

$4,144 — $2,524 — 16.5 — 14.0 — $1,620 — 39%

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.