Hillsboro, Beaverton & the Portland metro 5.0 rating · Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Baxter's General Contracting — Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls

Retaining walls that hold ground

Baxter’s builds retaining walls that solve real drainage and slope problems — not just walls that look good for a season. We handle the excavation, base prep, drainage, and wall construction with our own crew.

Baxter's General Contracting — Concrete, block, and stone walls — designed for Oregon soil and rainfall
Built for Oregon

Concrete, block, and stone walls — designed for Oregon soil and rainfall

A retaining wall does serious work. It holds back soil, manages water runoff, and prevents erosion on sloped lots. When it’s built wrong, it fails — and the cost to fix a failed wall is two to three times the cost of building it right the first time. Every wall starts with proper excavation, a compacted base, and drainage behind the wall.

  • Concrete retaining walls — Poured or formed concrete walls for maximum structural strength. Best for taller walls, heavy loads, or tight spaces.
  • Concrete block walls — Segmental retaining wall blocks stacked and pinned for stability. Good for walls under six feet where a clean, uniform look is the goal.
  • Natural stone walls — Stacked or mortared stone walls for a more organic appearance. Strong and functional with the right base work.

Every wall we build includes drain rock and perforated pipe behind it — that’s what keeps water pressure from pushing the wall out. We also handle the excavation to cut the slope and prepare the footing, so you’re not coordinating between two contractors. In Oregon, retaining walls over four feet tall require engineered plans and a building permit. We know the local requirements and handle the permit process as part of the job.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

If your yard has a slope that’s eroding, a hillside creeping toward your foundation, or a grade change over 18 inches — a retaining wall is the standard fix. We’ll assess your property and tell you what type and height of wall makes sense.

Poured concrete, concrete block, and natural stone. The right choice depends on the wall height, the soil conditions, the load behind the wall, and the look you want. We’ll recommend the best option at your estimate.

In Oregon, walls over four feet tall (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) require engineered drawings and a building permit. Some jurisdictions measure differently, so we confirm the local rules before quoting. We handle the permit process.

Costs depend on wall length, height, material, site access, and soil conditions. Most residential retaining walls in the Portland metro area run between $5,000 and $25,000. Taller walls that need engineering cost more. We give you a detailed written quote after the site visit.

Most residential retaining walls take three to seven days of active work, depending on size and site conditions. Walls requiring permits may have a lead time of a few weeks for plan review before construction starts.
Free estimate

Call Baxter's for a free retaining wall estimate — we handle the permits

We’ll visit your property, assess the slope, and give you a clear price and timeline.

Free on-site estimate. No obligation. We handle permits too.