Charlotte Pro Retaining Wall connects homeowners with independent local crews who tear out failing timber retaining walls and rebuild them in segmental block or natural stone. Many Charlotte-area homes built from the 1970s through the 2000s used landscape timbers or railroad ties, and a lot of those walls are now at the end of their life.
Signs a timber wall needs replacing
- Soft, crumbling or split timbers, especially near the ground
- The wall leaning forward or bowing in the middle
- Soil spilling through gaps or washing out at the ends
- Spikes or tie-backs pulling loose
- Insect activity in the wood
Why timber walls fail in the Charlotte area
Wood in constant contact with damp red clay rots from behind, where you can't see it. Most timber walls were also built without gravel backfill or a drain, so water pressure keeps pushing on wood that is getting weaker every year.
What replacement involves
- Removing the old timbers, spikes and any deadmen tie-backs
- Hauling the old wood away
- Cutting back the slope and excavating a proper base
- Building the new wall with gravel backfill and a drain pipe
- Restoring beds, mulch or lawn at the top and bottom
Typical cost
Most timber replacements are small or mid-size walls and commonly fall in the typical $1,500–$5,000 range. Removal and haul-off of the old wall is part of the scope, so ask your provider to include it in the quote.
Height note
Taller retaining walls (commonly those over about 4 feet) may require a building permit and an engineered design under local building codes; homeowners should confirm with their city or county.
Request timber wall replacement near you
Providers in our network work across the metro, including Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Pineville, Indian Trail, Waxhaw, Concord, Gastonia, Mooresville. See typical prices in our retaining wall cost guide, then call or use the form below.