Retaining Walls

Retaining walls fall into two categories - low landscaping walls and engineered retaining walls. Generally a retaining wall under 1.2 metres high does not require building consent, but anything above that height usually requires professional engineering planning and a building consent. Consents may be required even for lower walls if they are bearing unusually heavy loads (such as road traffic etc) or if the ground is unstable. Mr Fencer can advise when professional engineering assistance may be required. We are also able to provide site preparation, excavation and back-fill as well as construction of the retaining wall itself.

Landscaping

Low retaining walls are commonly used on gently sloping sites to provide more usable flat land, or to provide low level retaining where earthworks such as driveway construction cut into banks. Terraced slopes with in-built steps also provide an attractive landscape feature to otherwise uninteresting and largely unusable slopes.

There is an infinite number of building materials available for the construction of low retaining walls, and selection often comes down to personal taste. Options include solid concrete, brick or concrete block, interlocking blocks, concrete or wooden crib blocks or post and timber. All of these options can also be considered for low walls surrounding raised garden areas.

With good design and construction coupled with attractive plantings, all of these options provide attractive landscaping solutions in any situation.

Engineered Retaining Walls

Any retaining wall over 1.2 metres high requires professional engineering design and a building consent. Mr Fencer has developed standard plans and specifications for Timbacrib walls which in many cases avoids the need for expensive customised drawings. In such cases the only extra expense is for a ground stability test and building consent fees.

Other forms of retaining walls usually involve the use of timber or concrete piles and retaining panels.

Mr Fencer works successfully with engineers, developers and other contractors on many large commercial and civil retaining projects.

Typically construction is subject to council inspection and approval at various stages.

Photo Gallery of Retaining Walls - Residential
Photo Gallery of Retaining Walls - Commercial