Landscapes Framed by Mountains, Lake and Grid
Explore tailored Landscape Design expertise for homes and businesses in Salt Lake City.
Retaining Walls in Salt Lake City - Our Project Impact
Pitt Landscape has completed 38 retaining walls projects across Salt Lake City, totaling $444K in sold work at an average project value of $12K, with crews active in Arcadia Heights, Bonneville Hills, Canyon Rim, East Bench and 9 others throughout Salt Lake City. We've been delivering this work here since March 2021, and that kind of long-standing local presence gives people confidence that we're here to stay.
90
Total Estimates
$1.2M
Estimate Revenue
38
Projects Sold
$444K
Sold Revenue
$128K
Top 10 Full-Scope Project Avg
Our largest installs combine landscape design ($111K) and construction ($18K) per project
$111K
Design
$18K
Construction
Project Coverage in Salt Lake City
Track where we're building retaining walls projects throughout Salt Lake City.
Neighborhood Summary
| Neighborhood | Sold Jobs | Sold Revenue | Avg. Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Mount Olympus | 11 | $216,879 | $19,716 |
| 2 | $49,087 | $24,544 | |
Salt Lake City | 6 | $36,139 | $6,023 |
Canyon Rim | 3 | $33,429 | $11,143 |
The Avenues | 1 | $24,639 | $24,639 |
| Grand Total | 38 | $444,333 | $11,693 |
- Sold Revenue
- $216,879
- Avg. Ticket
- $19,716
- Sold Revenue
- $49,087
- Avg. Ticket
- $24,544
- Sold Revenue
- $36,139
- Avg. Ticket
- $6,023
- Sold Revenue
- $444,333
- Avg. Ticket
- $11,693
Retaining Walls in Salt Lake City
Full-service retaining wall design, permitting, and installation across the Salt Lake Valley. We handle the whole project — one crew, one contract. Our crews tailor each project to local site conditions, property goals, and the long-term performance expectations for Salt Lake City.
Customer Reviews in Salt Lake City
We went with Pitt after dealing with a disaster of a contractor for 8 months. They got our yard fixed and completed in a very reasonable amount of time. The estimate was accurate and we received regular change order invoices to keep us up to date and…
Pitt was absolutely amazing. They took the design and brought it to life, with a very difficult back yard project that required a lot of changes. They kept to cost (even came down in a couple of places) and were remarkably fast. My back yard is now a…
Pitt Landscape planted a forest in our front yard and gravel driveway addition in the Fall, and then demolished concrete and laid a new lawn in our backyard with stone stairs and a new path in the Spring. They did an amazing job, were always friendl…
Ryan and his team were incredibly responsive. They had creative solutions for our project and had great follow through and communication throughout. We really had an excellent experience and would recommend them to anyone.
Four‑Season Durability and Water‑Smart Craftsmanship
Salt Lake City experiences hot, dry summers tempered by breezes off the Great Salt Lake and cold, snowy winters moderated by the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Winters rarely fall below zero and average 26 days at or below freezing, while summer highs often exceed 90 °F with low humidity. Spring brings most of the area’s precipitation, and short monsoon storms can sweep through in late summer. Our Landscape Design offerings are engineered for these extremes: we use hardscape materials and construction methods that withstand freeze‑thaw cycles and seismic soils, incorporate efficient irrigation and rain‑capture systems to thrive in dry months, and design shade structures and wind screens for comfort during heat and canyon gusts. The result is an outdoor space that performs beautifully year‑round in Salt Lake City’s challenging climate.
Project Gallery Overview
Browse real project shots grouped by service. Each card shows a service—tap to explore that service in detail.
Retaining Walls FAQs for Salt Lake City
Answers to the questions we hear most from property owners in Salt Lake City.
Do you need a permit for your Retaining wall in Salt Lake City?
Retaining Walls Built to Last in Utah
Retaining walls in Utah face conditions most contractors underestimate. The freeze-thaw cycle that runs through Salt Lake Valley winters expands water in the soil behind a wall, then contracts — cycling pressure that destroys walls built without proper drainage. Clay-heavy Utah soil compounds the problem.
At Pitt Landscape, we design and build retaining walls as structural systems, not decorative features. That means engineered drainage behind the face, compacted granular backfill, and geogrid reinforcement on taller walls. We've built over 260 retaining wall projects across the Salt Lake Valley, and the ones that last all share the same foundation: drainage first, structure second, aesthetics third.
We handle the entire project — site assessment, design, permits where required, excavation, drainage installation, wall construction, and final grading. One crew, one contract, no subcontractor handoffs.
What's Included in a Retaining Wall Project
A full retaining wall project from Pitt Landscape includes every phase from first site visit through final cleanup:
- Site assessment and design — We evaluate slope, soil type, water drainage patterns, and HOA requirements before recommending a wall type and height.
- Permit coordination — Walls over 4 feet typically require a building permit in Salt Lake County municipalities. We handle permit applications and inspections.
- Excavation and base preparation — Proper footing depth prevents settlement. We excavate below frost line and compact a gravel base.
- Drainage system installation — Perforated drain pipe, drainage rock, and filter fabric behind every wall to redirect hydrostatic pressure.
- Wall construction — Boulder, concrete block (Belgard, Anchor, Versa-Lok), timber, or natural stone — installed to engineered specifications.
- Backfill and final grading — Clean gravel behind the wall, native soil behind that, graded away from the structure.
- Cleanup and disposal — All excavated material hauled off-site. Site left clean.
Boulder, Block, and Timber — Which Wall Is Right for You
The right wall material depends on your slope, soil, HOA, and budget. Here's what we build most often across the Salt Lake Valley:
Boulder walls — Natural granite and sandstone boulders are the most durable option for Utah's conditions. No mortar, no pins — gravity and mass hold them in place. Best for taller walls (4–12 ft) and properties where the natural look fits the landscape. Typically the most expensive option but the longest-lasting.
Segmental block walls — Concrete block systems (Belgard, Anchor, Versa-Lok) offer a clean, uniform appearance and work well with HOA requirements. Engineered pin systems provide structural integrity. Standard block walls (2–5 ft) require no permit in most jurisdictions.
Timber walls — Pressure-treated timber is a lower-cost option for shorter walls (under 4 ft) where the natural aesthetic works. Lifespan of 15–20 years with proper drainage. Common on Wasatch Front properties with established landscaping.
During your free estimate, we'll review your slope, soil, and HOA restrictions and recommend the best fit. We don't push the most expensive option — we recommend what will hold up longest for your specific site.
Drainage Is the Most Important Part of Any Retaining Wall
Most retaining walls that fail in Utah don't fail because the wall itself was weak. They fail because of hydrostatic pressure — water that has no place to go builds up behind the wall until it pushes it over or cracks it apart.
Every retaining wall we build includes a drainage system behind the face: perforated drain pipe at the base, drainage rock for the first 12–18 inches of backfill, and filter fabric to keep soil out of the drainage layer. On longer walls, we add weep holes to let any water that does penetrate escape before pressure builds.
This is non-negotiable on our projects. If you're getting bids without a drainage component included, the contractor is setting you up for a wall replacement in 5–10 years.
Our Retaining Wall Process — Consultation to Completion
- Free on-site estimate — We visit your property, assess the slope and soil, measure, and discuss your goals and HOA requirements. Takes 30–45 minutes.
- Design and proposal — We provide a written proposal with wall type, drainage design, material choices, and total cost. No surprise add-ons.
- Permits (if required) — We submit permit applications and schedule inspections. Typical permit timeline: 2–4 weeks depending on municipality.
- Excavation and drainage — Our crew handles all excavation, base prep, and drainage installation. This phase is the most critical and is never rushed.
- Wall construction — Boulder placement, block laying, or timber installation by experienced crew. Large boulder work uses our excavator for precision placement.
- Backfill, grading, and cleanup — Final grading, seeding or sod as needed, complete site cleanup.
Most retaining wall projects run 3–7 days on-site depending on size. We'll give you a specific timeline with your proposal.
Retaining Wall Cost in the Salt Lake Valley
Retaining wall cost in Utah varies significantly based on height, material, drainage complexity, and site access. General ranges:
- Segmental block walls (2–4 ft): $35–$60 per linear foot installed
- Segmental block walls (4–8 ft): $60–$100 per linear foot with drainage and geogrid
- Boulder walls: $80–$150+ per linear foot depending on boulder size and equipment access
- Timber walls (under 4 ft): $25–$45 per linear foot
A typical residential retaining wall project in Draper, Sandy, or South Jordan runs $8,000–$25,000 for 50–100 linear feet of 3–6 foot wall. Larger boulder walls or multi-tiered systems on steep slopes can reach $50,000+.
The most accurate way to understand your cost is a free on-site estimate — every site is different enough that per-foot ranges can mislead. We'll measure, assess drainage needs, and give you an exact price before any work begins.
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