Retaining Wall Installation in Langley & Surrey, BC

Action Hardscapes designs and builds custom retaining walls across Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam and the surrounding Fraser Valley. As Allan Block certified installers, every wall we build meets structural engineering standards, not just visual ones, so it holds up against BC's soil conditions and rainfall for decades.

 

Our services include:

 

  • Design and site assessment
  • Accurate written estimates
  • Planter beds and elevated decks
  • Standard and engineered retaining wall installation
  • Steps, terracing, and drainage systems

What a retaining wall costs

Most retaining wall projects in Langley, Surrey, and Coquitlam start around $75 per square foot, though the final price depends heavily on two things: site access and material choice. A wall with easy equipment access and standard concrete block will sit near that starting point. Tighter lots, steep slopes, or premium materials like natural stone or Barkman big block products can raise the price significantly, since they require more manual labour and site prep.

 

We'll always give you a written estimate based on your actual site, not a generic number, but this gives you a realistic starting point before you request a quote.

Why Choose a Concrete Block Retaining Wall

  • Structural Stability — Properly engineered concrete block walls resist shifting and erosion far more reliably than timber or DIY construction.
  • Durability — Concrete block withstands BC's wet climate and freeze-thaw cycles without rotting or warping.
  • Design Flexibility — Available in a range of shapes, sizes, and textures to match modern or traditional landscaping styles.
  • Low Maintenance — Once installed correctly, a concrete block wall requires minimal upkeep for decades.

Our Approach

We're Allan Block certified installers, which means every wall we build is held to specific engineering standards for reinforcement, drainage, and load-bearing capacity, not just stacked and backfilled. We also work with Barkman Walls, NewStone Walls, and Basalite Walls, and have access to full engineering support for larger or more complex projects.

 

Our team assesses the specific topography of your property before recommending a wall system, so the result is both structurally sound and visually integrated with your landscape.

 

But do not take our word for granted. Go check this retaining wall in Coquitlam. To visualize all the steps required to install a retaining wall the right way. 

 

Key Features

 

  • Structural Integrity — Built to support real load, not just hold soil back cosmetically
  • Custom Design — Tailored to your property's existing architecture and landscaping
  • Versatility — From terraced gardens to elevated patios and driveway support walls
  • Allan Block Certified Installers — Engineering-standard construction on every project
  • 5-Year Warranty — Included at no extra cost on all installations. We stand behind our work after the job is done, not just on installation day.

Frequently asked questions

In most BC municipalities—including Surrey, Langley, and Coquitlam—a building permit and engineered drawings are required for any retaining wall that is 1.2 metres (4 feet) or taller, measured from the bottom of the base footing to the top of the wall. 

 

When else is a permit required? Even if a wall is under 4 feet, a permit and professional engineering may still be required if:

  •  Surcharge load present - There will be a big heavy load that needs support by the retaining wall, for example raised patios or decks for a pool. 
  • Tiered walls above 4ft - We have seen it many times that to avoid getting a permit, the contractor just do 2 tiered walls, but complex terracing, the distance between walls and other special conditions will require a permit. We will make sure that your wall is built to code. 
  • Property boundaries - Some times the wall needs to be built at certain distance from your neighbors property line, or if the wall will have a fence on top, this is also considered before thinking about needing a permit. We handle all situations with care, and communicate all this to you in our consultation. 

 

For walls under 4 feet on level ground, a building permit is usually not required. However, all walls must still comply with local municipal setbacks and BC Building Code standards.

We provide a seamless, turn-key permitting and engineering management service for structural retaining walls across Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam, and the Lower Mainland. You won't have to deal with city hall, coordinate schedules, or figure out municipal bylaws on your own—our team handles the entire technical process from initial survey to final municipal sign-off.

 

How Our Permitting & Engineering Process Works:

  1. Surveying & Engineering Drawings: We coordinate with our trusted team of licensed BC land surveyors and structural/geotechnical engineers to complete property boundary reviews, soil assessments, and stamped structural drawings tailored to your property. (If you already have your own engineer or surveyor, we are happy to work alongside your chosen team.)
  2. Complete Permit Management: For a fixed handling fee of $1,500, Action Hardscapes Ltd. manages all administrative work. This includes gathering documentation, filing applications, liaising with city staff, coordinating with engineers, and managing municipal review schedules with the City of Surrey, Township of Langley, City of Coquitlam, or local municipality.
  3. Precision Construction & Inspections: Once your permit is issued, we execute the build strictly to engineered specifications. We schedule and host all required engineering field reviews and city site inspections during construction.
  4. Final Sign-off: We secure all final engineering letters of assurance and municipal compliance documents for your records.

 

What should I budget for engineering, permits, and surveys in BC?

While costs depend on wall height, soil conditions, and municipal fees, most complex residential projects in the Lower Mainland require a pre-construction budget of approximately $8,000.

 

This total typically includes:

  • Our complete $1,500 Permit Handling Service (We pay the damage deposit and get the reimbursment once the project is done)
  • Land surveyor fees (passed directly to you without markup)
  • Structural/geotechnical engineering review, stamped drawings, and site inspections (passed directly to you without markup)
  • Municipal permit application and city inspection fees

 

We outline all estimated engineering and municipal costs clearly in your initial project proposal so there are no surprises before work begins.

In the Lower Mainland, professional retaining wall installations start around $75 per square foot, depending on site access and material. Because properties in Langley, Surrey, and Coquitlam vary widely in slope, soil conditions, and access, final project pricing depends on several key site factors.

 

  • Site Access & Terrain: Narrow side-yard access or steep slopes requiring smaller specialized equipment or extra labor impact total installation time.
  • Use of premium materials like natural stone can increase the cost. Barkman big concrete blocks are also premium in price, for example an AB wall that can cost $9K can be $11K if changed to premium blocks. 
  • Excavation & Base Prep: Sloped ground, heavy clay, or sub-base reinforcement requires additional site work.

 

You should budget for $75-$125 a sq ft depending on materials and your home site conditions. 

 

What is not included in the square foot rate?

Standard square footage pricing covers supply, excavation, base prep, block installation, and standard drainage backfill. Specialized third-party requirements, such as: including geotechnical engineering, structural drawings, property surveys, and municipal permits (required for walls over 4 feet in cities like Surrey, Langley, and Coquitlam) are quoted separately when required by BC building bylaws.

 

We provide detailed, transparent written quotes following an on-site consultation anywhere in Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, and surrounding Lower Mainland communities.

An installation for a small residential retaining wall typically take 3 to 7 business days. Important to mention that we work Monday to Friday and we do not work on staturory holidays.  

 

Larger or engineered walls with terracing and drainage systems can take 2-3 weeks depending on scope. 

 

Estimated Project Timelines:

  • Small Garden & Accent Walls (Under 3 ft): 1–3 Days
  • Standard Residential Walls (3–4 ft, up to 50 linear ft): 3–5 Days
  • Large Structural or Terraced Walls (4+ ft / Engineered): 1–2+ Weeks

 

Factors affecting project schedules in the Lower Mainland:

  • Municipal Permits & Engineering: If your wall requires structural engineering or city permits (common in Coquitlam hillsides or Surrey steep-slope properties), the pre-construction planning phase can take 2 to 4 weeks before on-site excavation begins.
  • Site Accessibility: Direct machine access allows for faster excavation and gravel placement compared to hand-hauling materials through restricted yard access.
  • Wet Weather Conditions: Rain heavily impacts base soil compaction. Brief pauses during heavy rain ensure your sub-base is compacted correctly to prevent future settling.


Check this retaining wall in Coquitlam, to have a better idea of what your project would take and cost. 

We back our installations with a 5-Year Structural Workmanship Warranty across all residential projects in Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam, and the Fraser Valley.

 

What is covered under our 5-year warranty?

If a structural failure occurs due to installation workmanship within five (5) years of project completion, Action Hardscapes Ltd. will repair or replace the impacted section at no additional cost to you.

 

Coverage Exclusions:

Our warranty covers installation labor and structural integrity. It excludes material manufacturer defects (which carry separate manufacturer warranties), damage caused by severe natural disasters or unforeseen soil movement, unapproved modifications, or excessive surcharge loads applied after installation (e.g., parking heavy vehicles above non-engineered walls).