Summit County — Mountain Living at Elevation
Explore tailored Landscape Design expertise for homes and businesses in Summit County.
Retaining Walls in Summit County - Our Project Impact
Pitt Landscape has completed 2 retaining walls projects in Summit County, totaling $3K in sold work at an average project value of $2K. While Summit County is a newer market for this service, Pitt Landscape has been delivering retaining walls work across Utah since February 2021. Crews have already been active in nearby Park City.
6
Total Estimates
$40K
Estimate Revenue
2
Projects Sold
$3K
Sold Revenue
Project Coverage in Summit County
Track where we're building retaining walls projects throughout Summit County.
Retaining Walls in Summit County
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 Summit County.
Customer Reviews in Summit County
We had a great experience with Pitt Landscape! After receiving a number of bids to tear out our old, collapsing asphalt driveway and replace it with geocells and gravel, not to mention, a pretty steep retaining wall, we went with Pitt because they fe…
We bought a new construction home with zero side and backyard landscaping. We had a general design plan of what we wanted -xeriscape, hot tub pad, built-in fire pit, patio, patio cover, plants and trees, and lighting. Pitt assisted us with suggesti…
Park City Design Standards & Permit Requirements
Summit County's permit requirements and design standards vary significantly between Park City's incorporated limits, Snyderville Basin, and unincorporated county land. Park City proper applies design review standards that cover not just structures but also grading, retaining walls, and visible outdoor improvements — projects that wouldn't require design review elsewhere need submittals here. Snyderville Basin has its own setback and development standards. We work in Summit County regularly and maintain familiarity with the specific requirements of each jurisdiction, which matters from the first estimate through permit approval.
The county's high-end residential market also sets aesthetic expectations that match the interior quality of the homes — outdoor kitchens, fire features, and landscape design at Summit County price points are typically custom rather than catalog. If you have a Summit County property and want outdoor improvements that perform in the mountain climate and hold up to the scrutiny of the market, we do that work.
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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