(p2 result) DIY retaining wall, all by myself, $6000, 4 weekends 😎 full build process
This summer I finally tackled my first big retaining wall project😎 We needed a 35-foot-long wall to level out our sloped backyard, fix drainage issues, and make the space actually usable (and look way better).
I chose engineered concrete blocks. They're super heavy, interlock really well, and I found them at a good price locally. For drainage and support, I used a mix of clean rock and compactable fill dirt. I also added six low-voltage cap lights on top, wired to a dusk-to-dawn timer, for both function and a nice look.
I rented a skid steer for the heavy digging and hauling, and picked up a few new tools I didn't have yet, like an angle grinder and a reciprocating saw.
Here is my build process:
First, I measured and marked the wall line, making sure to account for the slope. Then, the skid steer did the major digging, and I finished the trench by hand.
And I filled the trench with compacted gravel and obsessively checked the level. Getting this first layer perfect is everything!
I stacked the wall blocks layer by layer, backfilling and compacting the dirt as I went.
And I installed a French drain behind the wall with perforated pipe and clean rock. My one rookie mistake here was not using drain fabric...
At last, to add the lights, I drilled holes for the conduit and ran all the low-voltage wiring before placing the very last row of blocks.
The budget list: skid steer rental + delivery $750
wall blocks $3500
backfill materials $1000
lighting system (lights, transformer, wiring) $350
tools + equipment (new purchases only) $450
total so far $6050
The whole project took me about 3–4 weekends, plus some evenings for planning and detail work. Still some finishing touches needed, but stoked with the progress 😎😎😎
#DIYProjects #HomeImprovement #Landscaping #BeforeAndAfter #HomeownerLife #Home #RetainingWallRenovation
