Average Price of Retaining Wall Installation in Canberra, ACT
What Are the Factors that Affect Price for Retaining Wall Construction in Canberra?
Factors that affect retaining wall cost
In Canberra ACT, this cost can range anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 and beyond, depending on a number of factors as below:
- Dimensions (height, length and overall size/scale) of the retaining wall.
- Type of material used (which tends to be calculated on a per square metre basis).
- Labour costs (DIY is possible and will keep overall costs down, but a contractor/installer is recommended for large jobs and/or where foundation work may be required prior to installation).
- Any structural issues that need to be resolved, including excavation, drainage, backfill, removal of existing landscape.
- Any other design/landscaping factors, for example: involvement of a structural engineer when the wall is over a certain height (estimated cost between $150 and $180 per hour), council approval and structural diagrams, any permit requirements due to the location of the wall, curves and added features, slopes on the land, composition of the soil, site access limitations.
The type of material chosen is a major factor in the overall price determination.
In terms of materials, the cheapest are pine and timber retaining walls (ranging from $250 to $450 per square metre), followed by those made of sandstone and concrete blocks (ranging from $350 to $750 per square metre).
It is important to note that the cheaper types of retaining wall may not last as long as the more expensive types. Timber can decay over time, and may have less structural integrity compared to the more expensive types. Concrete retaining walls for example, may cost more upfront, but will have more superior longevity.
It’s therefore important to understand that whilst it will cost more initially, the benefits of more durable materials such as concrete, brick, and stone will be worth the outlay as time passes.
Further details are provided as below.
... retaining walls can cost a few thousand to over ten thousand dollars to install, but they can drastically improve your garden landscape and the liveability and comfort of your home or commercial space.
Timber retaining wall costs
Timber can be an attractive option as it gives off a natural look, and can be appealing as the upfront cost is relatively low compared to other types of materials.
However, one should always factor in its limited lifespan (estimated at about 25 years on average), and the maintenance costs that will be required over time, especially if the timber has not undergone extensive treatment.
Timber retaining walls can come in treated pine, hardwood, or as railway sleepers. Treated pine can range from $250 to $300 per square metre, and the others from $300 to $450 per square metre.
Rock and stone retaining wall costs
Rock and stone retaining walls are a popular option as they blend in well in gardens and form part of the natural landscape. In particular, sandstone has gained popularity in recent years, due to its modern vibe.
However, as the overall cost of retaining wall construction is impacted by labour, it can get expensive if it takes a lot of time to fit various sizes of rocks and stones to fit together, particular when there are curves or other quirks in the landscape.
On the upside, stone and rocks can last many more years (sometimes decades) as compared to their timber counterparts.
Regular rock and stone blocks range from $300 to $450 per square metre. Sandstone blocks can range from $350 to $550 per square metre.
Concrete retaining wall costs
Concrete retaining walls also last much longer than timber ones due to their structural integrity.
These can come in many forms, including concrete sleepers, concrete blocks, poured concrete, and concrete bricks.
Concrete does not have to be boring. These days, you can have a variety of textures and colours, including even timber-look finishing on such concrete.
So depending on the style, your guests might not even know they are made of concrete. Concrete sleeper retaining walls have gained popularity in recent years.
Concrete retaining walls can range from $380 - $650 per square metre for reinforced concrete blocks, to $580 to $750 for concrete Besser blocks.
Gabion retaining wall costs
Gabion walls are made up of many steel baskets, meshes and/or cages in modular designs that each hold pieces of stone, brick or concrete together.
The cages can be galvanised and come in a range of sizes, which means it is suitable for a range of landscapes, including in residential and commercial settings.
These walls can withstand significant pressure and weight, and are extremely strong and durable. They are also relatively easy to construct, which means the labour costs associated may be lower.
Gabion retaining walls can range from $200 to $450 per square metre. There is minimum upkeep required once installed.
Conclusion
Retaining wall costs are driven by a range of factors, including the size of the project, materials, labour, design and structural considerations.
Generally, the more durable materials cost more.
The type of material may affect the amount of time it takes to install, which also affects the overall price, through costs of labour.
Overall, retaining walls can cost a few thousand to over ten thousand dollars to install, but they can drastically improve your garden landscape and the liveability and comfort of your home or commercial space. This has the potential to add significant value to the property.
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