ᐅ Use L-shaped retaining blocks for slope stabilization.

Hello,

we are currently planning the slope stabilization and want to use L-shaped retaining walls. The basement contractor would install the 30 meters (98 feet) that need to be secured for about €6,000 using L-shaped retaining walls (or masonry panels). Since we want to do as much as possible ourselves otherwise, we are considering whether it would be cheaper to do this on our own. I am wondering where it is most cost-effective to source these L-shaped retaining wall units.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks in advance for the answers,
Herbert110

What kind of L-shaped blocks do you need? 30 meters (98 feet) at that price sounds like significantly more than one meter (3 feet) in height.

Go to the building materials supplier and get price quotes – then negotiate.

I paid about 200€ per meter at a height of 1m (3.3 feet), which included all installation work, gravel foundation, concrete setting, sealing contact points with bitumen tape, and earthworks (excavation followed by backfilling). You should not underestimate the effort involved. Without a small excavator, it’s impossible to handle the L-shaped blocks as they are quite heavy. A compactor is needed to compact the gravel, and I would not recommend transporting the gravel and concrete (several tons in total) by wheelbarrow either. You can usually rent these tools from local suppliers that also sell garden supplies, such as patio slabs—check locally or online to find prices. However, the cost of the L-shaped blocks (maybe 50–70€ per meter) is only a part of the total material costs.

Saruss schrieb:
I also paid about €200 per meter for a height of 1m (3 feet 3 inches), which included all installation work, gravel foundation, concreting in place, sealing contact points with bitumen tape, and earthworks (excavation first, then backfilling). You shouldn’t underestimate the effort involved. Without a small excavator, it’s impossible to handle the L-shaped blocks—they are quite heavy. You need a plate compactor to compact the gravel, and I wouldn’t recommend transporting the compactor and concrete (which together weigh several tons in your case) by wheelbarrow. You can usually rent these tools from local suppliers that also sell other garden materials, such as patio slabs, so it’s worth checking locally or online. You’ll also find pricing there. However, the price of the L-shaped blocks (maybe €50-70 per meter) is only part of the total material cost.

€200 per meter is quite expensive. Our neighbors paid around €75 per meter a few months ago for 80cm (31.5 inches) blocks, including all work. That’s why I’m a bit surprised by this price.

nordanney schrieb:
200€ per meter is quite steep. Our neighbors paid something around 75€ per meter a few months ago for 80-sized blocks (complete with all labor). That’s why I’m skeptical about the price.

I find it hard to believe it was the same scope of work, since 75€ is very close to the material cost for blocks, gravel, concrete, etc. In our case, two people worked for more than a day for a shorter distance, plus the use of construction machinery... Also, we obtained more than two quotes (from NRW, see profile)...