Concrete retaining walls in Davis CA - a wall that drains and holds your slope
Drainage planned first, finish chosen second
At K&S Davis Concrete, we build poured concrete retaining walls for yards where a slope is creeping, a bank is washing out or you want flat ground where there isn't any. Most walls that fail were holding back water, not dirt, so we plan the drainage behind ours before we talk about finish.
Why a poured concrete retaining wall earns its keep
A poured wall is a dug footing, wood forms and concrete, built to hold back the soil pressing on it from behind. Price moves with height, length, access and finish, and the schedule moves with the digging and the days the concrete needs to cure before we pack dirt against it. The walk-through gets you your own figure.
Most soils in Yolo County rate high for shrink-swell, so the ground swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries, one more reason the drainage comes first. A wall often belongs beside a sloped pool deck or patio.
Best for
- Sloped backyards
- Banks that are washing out
- Terraced garden beds
- Walls next to patios
Level ground back
A wall lets us cut a slope into flat, usable ground, so a patio, lawn or path fits where the yard used to tip.
One solid wall
Rebar, the steel bars we tie inside the forms, holds the concrete together when the soil leans on it, so the wall works as one piece.
A finish you pick
Concrete takes color and texture, so the wall can match the house instead of looking like it came off a freeway.
Curves and steps
Forms can follow a curve, step down a hill or turn a corner, so the wall fits the yard you actually have.
Concrete retaining walls that last start at the footing
- I walk the slope, look at where water runs and give the estimate myself. Our crew lead runs the job on site, and I'm there for the pours.
- In 13 years running our own crews, I've found most wall problems start before the truck shows up, so we spend the time on the footing and on packing the soil back behind it.
- We're licensed and fully insured. The work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and you'll see what the price covers before you sign.
Wall types and finishes to pick from
At the walk-through I'll tell you which of these fits your slope and your budget, and if a block wall would do the job for less, I'll say so.
Plain formed face
A smooth or board-marked face suits a wall that mostly has a job to do, like holding a side yard or garden bed.
Color and texture
Color in the mix, a textured face or stone set into the surface suits a wall you look at every day.
Wall with a slab
Pouring the wall alongside a concrete floor suits a shed, shop or patio cut back into the hill.
Block instead
Segmental block suits lower walls in tight spots, since the units are small and light enough to carry in by hand.
Tell us about your slope
Send the wall's rough length and height, photos of the slope and where water pools. We reply within one business day to set a free, no-obligation estimate on site.
Questions about retaining walls in Davis
How much does a concrete retaining wall cost near Davis, CA?
A poured concrete retaining wall in the Sacramento area usually costs about $15 to $60 per square foot of wall face, installed. That's the area's going rate, not our quote, and it's wide because height, access and finish swing it a lot. I'll price yours once I've seen the slope.
Why does drainage matter behind a retaining wall in Davis?
Water is what usually takes a wall down, because soaked soil presses harder on it and slides more easily. Drainage usually means weepholes, small openings through the wall, plus drain lines behind it, so ask any contractor how their wall will drain before you hire them.
Is a block retaining wall cheaper than poured concrete?
Usually, yes. A block wall industry group says segmental block walls typically cost 25 to 40 percent less than poured concrete. The extra with poured buys you one solid piece and the finish choices above, so it's worth it when the wall is something you'll look at.
What should a home improvement contract include in California?
California requires a home improvement contract to include set notices and disclosures that protect you as the owner. Any change has to be in writing and tell you about your right to cancel. You can also ask for each subcontractor's name, contact information, license number and classification, which the contractor must share.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Davis?
We find out for you by checking with the city or county office for your address. If your wall needs a permit, we take care of it as part of the work, so you know where things stand before any digging starts.
Other concrete work we do
Concrete floor installation
When a wall cuts into a hill for a shed or shop, a poured floor finishes that new flat ground.
Explore Concrete floor installationConcrete pool decks
A sloped yard around a pool often needs a wall first, then a deck that sheds water away from the pool.
Explore Concrete pool decks