Retaining Wall Contractor in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Stone & Brick builds retaining walls that hold — from a two-course garden terrace in Webster Groves to engineered commercial walls hundreds of feet long. Every wall starts with the two things that decide whether it is still straight in 20 years: a compacted, correctly sized base and drainage that moves water away from the wall instead of behind it.
Family-owned since 2002 and run by third-generation stonemasons, we design, permit and build walls in segmental block, natural stone, brick and poured concrete across St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
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Commercial & Large-Scale Retaining Walls
Most St. Louis lots in Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood and St. Charles have a grade change somewhere — a backyard that drops toward a creek, a driveway below a rising lawn, a foundation with soil piled against it. A retaining wall turns that slope into a flat patio, a play area or a raised planting bed, and stops the erosion that undermines everything downhill.
Residential Retaining Walls for Sloped Yards
Most St. Louis lots in Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood and St. Charles have a grade change somewhere — a backyard that drops toward a creek, a driveway below a rising lawn, a foundation with soil piled against it. A retaining wall turns that slope into a flat patio, a play area or a raised planting bed, and stops the erosion that undermines everything downhill.
- Garden and landscape walls (under 4 ft) in block or natural stone
- Structural walls for driveways, walkways and foundations
- Seating walls around patios and fire pits
- Terraces that connect an upper and lower yard with steps
Wall Types & Materials
Segmental Block
The most popular residential choice — clean lines, many colors and textures, and easy to build curves and steps into. Reinforced with geogrid on taller walls.
Natural Stone
Limestone, dolomite and fieldstone laid dry or mortared. Heavier and more labor, but it is the wall that fits a century-old Clayton or Ladue property.
Poured & Reinforced Concrete
For tall walls, tight sites and heavy surcharge. Can be faced with
stone or brick veneer so it does not look like a highway wall.
Brick and Decorative Masonry
Brick or stone-capped walls that match the house — usually for shorter walls where the look matters most.
How We Build a Wall That Lasts
Excavate and compact an aggregate base sized to the wall height — never set on topsoil
- Bury the first course below grade so the wall cannot kick out at the toe
- Install perforated drain pipe and 12 inches or more of clean gravel backfill behind the wall
- Add geogrid or reinforcement at the intervals the design calls for
- Backfill in compacted lifts, cap the wall, and grade the surface so water runs away from it
Drainage is where most walls fail. Saturated soil behind an undrained wall pushes with enormous pressure every spring; we design for that pressure instead of hoping it does not happen.
Why Choose St. Louis Stone & Brick
Retaining walls are our favorite work — from garden terraces to engineered commercial systems
- Third-generation stonemasons; family-owned since 2002
- We handle permits, engineering coordination and inspections
- Written, itemized quotes; walls priced with drainage and base included, not as add-ons
- Serving Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood, Clayton, Ladue, Webster Groves, University City, Richmond Heights, St. Charles, St. Peters and O'Fallon
Retaining Wall FAQs
How much does a retaining wall cost in St. Louis?
Small segmental-block garden walls start around $40–$60 per face square foot installed; engineered walls over 4 feet, natural stone or poured concrete walls run higher because of footing depth, reinforcement and drainage. We quote every wall in writing after measuring the grade on site.
Do I need a permit or an engineer for my retaining wall?
Most St. Louis County and St. Charles County municipalities require a permit — and often a stamped engineering design — for walls 4 feet or taller or walls carrying a driveway, structure or slope surcharge. We handle the permit and coordinate the engineering.
Why do retaining walls fail?
Almost always water. Without gravel backfill, a drain pipe and relief outlets, saturated soil pushes the wall out (hydrostatic pressure). The second cause is a shallow or uncompacted base. Every wall we build has both handled.
Can you repair or rebuild a leaning retaining wall?
Yes. If the blocks or stone are sound we take the wall down, rebuild the base and drainage and reset the same material. If the wall has sheared or the footing has failed we recommend a rebuild and price both options.
How long does a retaining wall take to build?
A residential wall under 50 linear feet is usually 2–5 days. Large terraced or commercial walls are scheduled in phases and we give you a timeline with the quote
Get a Free Retaining Wall Estimate
Call 314-517-0955 or send the form. We will measure the grade on site, talk through material and drainage options, and give you a written quote — residential or commercial, anywhere in St. Louis County or St. Charles County.