Retaining Walls Designed & Installed in Des Moines
A well-built retaining wall can shape the way you use and enjoy your outdoor space. At Ted Lare, our retaining wall projects combine strength, style, and craftsmanship so your yard is both functional and beautiful for decades to come. Whether you’re looking to tame a slope, create more usable space, or add a stylish seating wall for gatherings, our team brings years of design and installation expertise to your project.
Locally owned and family run in Iowa
40+ years of landscaping and hardscape experience
Built with safety, beauty, and code compliance in mind
Why Choose a Professional Retaining Wall Contractor?
While DIY instructions for small garden walls are available, larger retaining walls require professional expertise. A retaining wall is a structural system that has to manage soil pressure, drainage, and long-term durability. Poorly built walls often fail within a few years, leading to costly repairs.
Schedule A Consultation With Des Moines' Top Landscapers
Why Iowa Homeowners Trust Us For Reatining Wall Installation
Expert Drainage Solutions Built Into Every Wall
“We were very impressed with Ted Lare Design Build and Landscaping Service. We had a significant issue with negative drainage in our front yard from an error by home builder and concrete subcontractor that was addressed by a plan by Dustin Goering. The landscaping work done by Matt and Zach was excellent and we were thrilled with the workmanship and professionalism by the entire team.
Other quotes we received may have been less expensive, but did not include the work done under the retaining wall to prevent migration and attempts to minimize settling that the Ted Lare team performed. We have had many compliments regarding our landscaping from friends and neighbors. If you desire quality work from professional staff, look no further than Ted Lare Design Build and Landscaping Service.”
— Ed Bandstra, Google Review
Elegant Designs That Elevate Your Landscape
“We wanted more than just a yard but rather a colorful, easy-care, drought-resistant landscape where we could enjoy many hours outside. Keegan listened and incorporated our ideas expertly. A highlight and focal point was his use of “blue stone” pavers near the patio and fireplace areas to provide a unique look and color — it’s an inviting and surprising feature which elicits many compliments. It breaks up the bland look of limestone pavers. Keegan is very talented and creative. He was involved with every detail beginning with site design, budget, drainage, buried gutters, retaining walls, fencing, stunning landscape lighting, gorgeous flower pots and artificial-turf putting green. Keegan and his especially hard-working, knowledgeable crew were outstanding.”
– Rose Mitchell, Google Review
Retaining Wall Materials & Design Options
Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Durable, versatile, and available in many colors and textures. These are ideal for a clean, modern look with consistent lines.
Natural Stone & Limestone Walls
Timeless and elegant, limestone is one of the most popular options in the Des Moines area. Each stone has unique character, and when paired with expert craftsmanship, it creates a natural focal point in your yard.
Other Popular Materials
Granite boulders, quarried stone, and other specialty products can give your project a distinctive look. We’ll walk you through the choices so you can find the perfect fit for your property.
Ready to Work With Des Moines’ Best Retaining Wall Contractor? Let’s Talk!
Thinking about adding a retaining wall to your property? We’re here to design and build one that’s as strong as it is beautiful. Whether you need to manage a slope, create more usable space, or add a stylish seating wall for entertaining, our team will deliver a solution tailored to your home and lifestyle.
Let’s bring structure and elegance to your outdoor space. Contact us today to start planning your custom retaining wall!
The Retaining Wall Installation Process
Every retaining wall we build follows a proven process to ensure strength, durability, and beauty. From the first design sketch to the final stone set in place, our team focuses on both structural integrity and visual appeal.
1. Site Evaluation & Design
We begin by evaluating your property’s grade, soil conditions, and drainage patterns. This step ensures we understand not only where the wall should go, but also how it should function. Our designers then create a custom landscaping plan that balances structural needs with the style you envision.
2. Excavation & Foundation Preparation
A retaining wall is only as strong as its foundation. We excavate the site to the proper depth and width, taking into account the height of the wall, soil stability, and local building requirements. A compacted base provides the stable footing every wall needs to stand the test of time.
3. Setting the Base Course
The first row of stone or block, the base course, is carefully leveled and aligned. This step is critical because every layer that follows depends on the accuracy of this foundation row.
4. Structural Reinforcement & Drainage
Behind the wall, we install backfill and drainage systems that relieve pressure and move water away from the structure. Depending on the design, this may include geogrid reinforcement for taller walls and perforated drainpipes to prevent water buildup. These measures are what allow your wall to remain straight and secure year after year.
5. Building & Finishing the Wall
Once the structure is reinforced, the wall is built up course by course with careful attention to alignment and aesthetics. Our team blends precision with artistry so the finished wall complements your landscape. If you’ve chosen features like a seating wall or integrated lighting, this is when we bring those details to life.
6. Final Grading & Cleanup
To finish, we grade the surrounding soil, integrate the wall into your landscaping, and ensure everything drains properly. Then we clean the site so all you see is your brand-new retaining wall, ready to be enjoyed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retaining Wall Installation in Des Moines
Get the details you need on materials, costs, drainage, and hiring the right contractor for your retaining wall project.
A retaining wall holds soil in place on properties where the ground changes elevation. Landscape retaining walls manage grade changes, prevent erosion, and create flat, usable areas out of sloped terrain. They also define planting beds, add visual depth to a yard, and protect lower structures like patios and walkways from shifting soil.
If soil washes downhill after heavy rain, you see visible erosion lines, or a slope limits how you use your yard, you likely need a retaining wall for a sloped yard. Cracks in existing hardscapes near grade changes are another warning sign. Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles and spring storms speed up slope damage, so addressing it early saves money and prevents bigger problems.
Retaining wall installation typically costs $35 to $65 per square foot, including materials and labor. The final price depends on wall height, material choice, site access, and soil conditions. Walls taller than four feet require structural engineering, which adds to the project cost.
Every property is different, so the best way to get an accurate number is to schedule a consultation with our team.
The best retaining wall materials depend on your wall height, soil type, and design goals. Concrete block offers uniform strength and a clean, modern look. Natural stone delivers timeless character and blends with the surrounding landscape. Boulders work well for shorter walls where you want an organic, rugged appearance.
Our Des Moines team matches the right material to each project based on structural needs and the homeowner’s vision.
Boulder retaining walls use large, natural stones stacked to follow the contours of your slope. They look organic and work best on moderate grade changes. Block retaining walls use engineered, interlocking units that allow for taller builds, tighter structural tolerances, and a more uniform appearance. Neither option is universally better. The right choice comes down to wall height, the look you want, and the load the wall needs to handle.
Without a proper retaining wall drainage system, water collects behind the wall and creates hydrostatic pressure. That pressure pushes against the structure and eventually causes it to bow, crack, or collapse. A well-built wall includes compacted gravel backfill, a perforated drain pipe at the base, and weep holes to channel water away from the structure.
Yes. A retaining wall seating wall is one of the most popular requests we get. The key is building the wall at a comfortable sitting height (around 18 to 20 inches) with a wide, flat cap stone on top. This turns a structural feature into a functional gathering spot that pairs well with outdoor living spaces like patios and fire pits.
A professionally installed retaining wall can last 50 to 100 years when built with the right retaining wall installation process. That means proper soil compaction, a solid gravel base, engineered drainage, and correct backfill techniques. Poorly built walls often fail within 5 to 10 years. Always remember that the installation process matters more than the material alone.
In most cases, yes. Iowa building code requires structural engineering for any wall retaining more than four feet of unbalanced fill. Des Moines and surrounding cities typically require a building permit for walls that exceed that height. Some municipalities, like Pleasant Hill, require permits for all retaining walls regardless of size. Experienced retaining wall contractors in Iowa handle the permitting process so homeowners do not have to navigate it alone. Contact our team if you have questions about local requirements.
Most retaining walls fail for three reasons:
- poor drainage
- an inadequate base
- lack of engineering on taller structures.
Professional retaining wall contractors prevent these failures by installing proper drainage systems, compacting a gravel base to spec, using geogrid reinforcement on walls that need it, and following engineered setback calculations.
If you have an existing wall that is leaning or cracking, Ted Lare also offers retaining wall repair in Des Moines to diagnose the issue and rebuild it correctly.
Retaining walls are one of the most versatile elements in a landscape plan. They can tier a sloped backyard into multiple levels for patios, planting beds, and play areas.
Looking for backyard retaining wall ideas? Consider pairing walls with built-in lighting, natural stone steps, or water features.
As a design-build firm, Ted Lare creates custom retaining walls in Des Moines that connect with the rest of your landscape. We approach every project with retaining wall design ideas that match your property and how you want to use it. Explore our full landscaping services to see how everything fits together.
When searching for retaining wall builders in Des Moines, look for a contractor who is licensed, insured, and experienced with engineered walls. Ask about their drainage approach, request a portfolio of completed projects, and confirm they handle permitting. Strong retaining wall contractors will walk you through the process from design to final inspection.
Ted Lare Design & Build has over 40 years of hardscape experience in Central Iowa. Schedule a consultation to discuss your retaining wall project with our team.
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