Below are frequently asked questions about our process and products… just click on the question and the answer will pop down for you.

• How much does a retaining wall cost?

  This will vary for each job because every site is different. Factors such as access, surcharges, and size of wall all impact on the cost of your retaining wall. We can only accurately price your job after meeting with you and inspecting your site.

• Do I need council approval?

  Council requires that any walls over 1.0m in height to have building approval. Furthermore, any retaining wall that is less than 1.5 metres away from a building or other retaining wall also requires approval.

• What if I don’t obtain council approval for my retaining wall?

  If you construct an assessable retaining wall without firstly obtaining a building approval, you may face heavy penalties for committing an offence against the Building Act 1975 and consequently against the Integrated Planning Act 1997.

• Can my retaining wall be built on my property boundary?

  You need to consider a clearance of at least 600mm between the property boundary line and the closest part of the retaining wall. The higher the wall, the more it will need to be set back from your boundary line. Please contact your local council regarding exact boundary setbacks as this is only a guide.

• What are the dimensions of your concrete sleepers?

  The majority of our concrete sleepers are 200mm deep and 75mm wide, however we can also supply grey concrete 1.53m & 2.0m sleepers that are 100mm deep and 75mm wide.

  [slide title="What are the dimensions of your concrete posts?" current=true]Our grey posts are tapered:
  0.6m to 1.6m long: 185mm tapering down to 120mm, 145mm deep
  1.8m to 2.2m long: 200mm tapering down to 120mm, 180mm deep
  2.4m to 2.7m long: 235mm tapering down to 120mm, 260mm deep
  3.3m to 3.7m long: 260mm tapering down to 120mm, 295mm deep

  Our sandstone posts are rectangular:
  0.8m to 2.2m long: 200mm wide, 140mm deep
  2.4m to 2.6m long: 200mm wide, 260mm deep

• Will my wall be engineer designed?

  Yes, we engage an engineer to design our retaining walls. We always prefer to work with our own experienced engineer associate.

• Why should I use your concrete products instead of timber for my retaining wall?

  Yes, we engage an engineer to design our retaining walls. We always prefer to work with our own experienced engineer associate.

• Why should I use your concrete products instead of timber for my retaining wall?

  Concrete lasts far longer (approximately 60 years) than timber (approximately 10 – 20 years). It is much more economical to pay a little bit extra now for a concrete sleeper retaining wall as you won’t be faced with the replacement costs that often come along with timber retaining walls in a few years. According the Australian Standard AS 4678-2002 for Earth Retaining Structures, the design life of a retaining wall for a residential dwelling is 60 years – even the best quality, treated timber only has a design life of 25 years.

• Why should I use your concrete products instead of timber for my retaining wall?

  Yes, we engage an engineer to design our retaining walls. We always prefer to work with our own experienced engineer associate.

• Do your walls meet Australian Standards?

  Yes. Our products are designed to meet the strict criteria such as structural ability and durability, as stated in the Australian Standard AS 4678-2002 for Earth Retaining Structures.