Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Retaining Wall Installation
Retaining Wall Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Retaining Wall Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Retaining Wall Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Retaining Wall Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Retaining Wall Installation labor cost? What are the important Retaining Wall Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Retaining Wall Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Retaining Wall Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Retaining Wall Installation expect to pay between $7.55 to $9.10 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Retaining Wall Installation work? | Design approval and/or permits from your local building authority are usually required for Retaining Wall Installation. Verify requirements with your local building department before any Retaining Wall Installation work begins. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Retaining Wall Installation work? | The appearance, performance and serviceable life of the retaining wall will depend significantly on the skill and experience of the professional you hire. Make sure you verify the quality of past Retaining Wall Installation work before hiring. Tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Retaining Wall Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Retaining Wall Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Retaining Wall Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Retaining Wall Installation work? | This work can be completed in 2 to 5 days. |
Retaining Wall Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Retaining Wall Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Retaining Wall Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Retaining Wall Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- All retaining wall from the same manufacturers lot
- Only exterior grade, weather rated retaining wall will be installed
- All retaining wall mortar joints will be of uniform thickness and depth
- All work must meet or exceed local code requirements
- Installed retaining wall surface variations along a 6 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/8 inch - from any location along any direction
Retaining Wall Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Retaining Wall Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the retaining wall work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Verify that planned Retaining Wall Installation will comply with home owner association requirements
- Determine if permit is required for Retaining Wall Installation by local building authority, before any work begins
- Complete written project plan including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; project plan should be included in contract agreement and reviewed before any work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of retaining wall, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order retaining wall; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of retaining wall; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Review material choices for Retaining Wall Installation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Obtain a permit for Retaining Wall Installation from local building authority; post permit on the jobsite as required
- Carefully remove all manufacturers labels and clean the retaining wall surfaces - without scraping, scratching or otherwise damaging the retaining wall
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Inspect Retaining Wall Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment in exchange for signed lien release; final payment amount should be adjusted for excess material to be returned and tasks not performed; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
