- Address: 158 Main St Unit 1, Woburn, MA 01801
- (617) 212-0405
- Send Us Email
- Lic# 219655
Concrete is the workhorse. It handles the heaviest loads, takes the least maintenance, and holds up to Massachusetts freeze-thaw better than almost anything when it is reinforced properly.
We build two kinds:
Every concrete retaining wall we build gets a compacted gravel base, footings below the frost line, and a drainage layer behind the wall. Skip any one of those three and the wall fails — it is only a question of when.
Segmental retaining wall blocks are the most popular choice for residential yards in Massachusetts. They interlock, they flex slightly with ground movement, and they look good without a mason’s finish work.
Thinking about a DIY block wall? Anything under about 3 feet with good drainage is a reasonable weekend project. Above that, or anywhere water collects, you need engineered footings and reinforcement. Massachusetts towns generally require a permit and engineering above 4 feet. Call us before you buy the blocks — a 10-minute conversation is cheaper than a rebuild.
Nothing beats natural stone for looks, and a properly laid stone retaining wall can last a century.
We match the stone to the house, the walkway and any existing masonry so the wall belongs to the property instead of sitting on it.
A failing wall rarely needs a full teardown. We assess the structure first, then give you the honest option.
When replacement is the better value: if the footing has failed, the wall is leaning more than a few inches, or more than a third of it has moved, patching just buys you a season or two. We will tell you that up front.
Nine failed walls out of ten come down to water, not weight.
Soil holding water gets heavier and pushes harder. In Massachusetts it then freezes, expands and pushes harder still. A wall with no drainage behind it is fighting a load it was never designed to carry.
Because we also do waterproofing and foundation repair, we look at how water moves across your whole property — not just the six feet behind the wall.
A retaining wall does structural work, but it also reshapes the yard. We build walls that create usable space:
Any of these means the wall is losing the fight. Early repair costs a fraction of a rebuild.
A properly built block or concrete wall lasts 40 to 50 years. Natural stone walls can last a century. Drainage is the deciding factor — walls without it often fail within 10 years.
If the footing is sound and the lean is slight, we can often straighten and re-drain the wall. If the base has failed or the wall has moved several inches, rebuilding is the better value. We tell you which after the site visit.
Concrete block is the best all-round value for most residential walls. Poured concrete is strongest for tall or heavily loaded walls. Natural stone costs more but looks best and lasts longest. All three work well here if drainage is done properly.
