Introduction
Designing and building retaining walls, especially ones that require engineering and permitting, can feel overwhelming.
Many contractors, developers, and experienced homeowners assume the process starts with a site visit or a lengthy consultation. In reality, the most efficient and cost-effective projects begin with proper information gathering.
At DIY Retaining Wall, we’ve developed a streamlined process that allows us to:
- Deliver engineered drawings quickly (typically within 7 days)
- Minimize costly delays during permitting
- Support efficient construction using our specialized app
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How to start a retaining wall project correctly
- What information is required for engineering
- How to avoid costly permitting delays
Step 1: Why Information Comes Before Everything Else
Before we can design anything, we need to understand exactly what we’re engineering.
A common misconception is that a site visit is the best place to start. In reality, site visits without preliminary information are inefficient, costly, and often unnecessary.
For example, we regularly see projects that clients believe are highly complex, but turn out to be simple 3-foot walls on flat grade once we receive proper documentation.
Sometimes, clients approach us expecting a full backyard oasis design rather than retaining wall engineering. In these cases, it’s important to understand that landscape architects are the right professionals for designing a comprehensive backyard oasis. By submitting all the requested project information up front, we can determine whether the scope calls for a landscape architect and recommend hiring one before we proceed with retaining wall engineering.
Why This Matters
Providing accurate information upfront:
- Saves time (no back-and-forth guessing)
- Reduces engineering costs.
- Prevents design errors.
- Avoids hiring the wrong professional.
- Eliminates unnecessary site visits.
Step 2: What You Need to Get Started
To begin the design process, we require a complete set of project information.
According to our engineering checklist, clients must provide:
1. Design Request Form
Completed through our website with project details.
2. Wall Sketches or Drawings
These do not need to be professional, but they must include:
- Wall lengths and heights
- Top and bottom of wall conditions
- Slopes (with direction and ratio)
- Surcharge conditions (driveways, buildings, etc.)
- Plan view orientation (including North)
- Labels for multiple walls
3. Photos of the Site
Photos are one of the most important and most commonly missing items.
You must include:
- Top of wall conditions
- Bottom of wall conditions
- Both ends of the wall.
- Any water conditions
- Utilities or obstructions
- Surcharges (vehicles, structures, etc.)
4. Soil Information
- A soils report (if available), or
- A field sample with classification
We use this to determine the appropriate design parameters for your wall.
Learn about Soil Testing for Segmental Retaining Walls.
Step 3: Internal Review & Project Agreement
Once all the required information is submitted, our team:
- Reviews your documents for completeness
- Requests any missing information
- Confirms key design details (including block type)
This process is typically completed within 24 hours.
Once everything is confirmed, we issue a project agreement.
After the agreement is signed, we begin engineering immediately.
Step 4: Engineering & Design (Typically ≤ 7 Days)
Our engineering package includes a complete set of signed and sealed drawings:
What You Receive
- Plan view and elevation drawings.
- Cross sections and typical sections
- Project-specific details
- Block layout and reinforcement design.
- Structural calculations
- Installation specifications
These are not generic drawings; they are tailored specifically to your site conditions.
Revisions for Approval
We include all necessary revisions required to obtain city approval at no additional cost.
If the project’s scope changes, additional fees may apply. For example, if there is a change in wall height or the wall geometry differs from what was originally provided, we reserve the right to charge for the necessary modifications. However, if the city requests additional notes or clarifications for approval, we include those at no extra cost.
Step 5: Permitting & City Approval
The client or contractor is responsible for submitting plans to the city (with rare exceptions).
What to Expect
After submission:
- The city will either approve the plans or provide comments.
- If revisions are required, we will update the drawings and resubmit them.
Because our plans are highly detailed, additional comments are relatively rare.
Common Additional Requirements
Some jurisdictions may require:
- Separate erosion control plans
- Site plans prepared by others.
We can sometimes incorporate these notes for simple sites, but these are often handled by separate professionals.
Step 6: Preparing for Construction
We strongly recommend that clients coordinate with a contractor early in the process.
Why?
- Contractors have preferred block systems.
- Installation methods may vary.
- Backfill and material preferences differ.
Optional: Preliminary Drawings for Bidding
If needed, we can provide:
- Takeoffs
- Preliminary layouts
This allows you to obtain contractor pricing before finalizing the design.
Step 7: Construction Using the DIY Retaining Wall System
Once construction begins, our patented system helps ensure the wall is built correctly.
Projects Under 8 Feet Tall
For simple walls (heights less than 8-ft without complex loading), clients can use the:
DIY Retaining Wall App: https://www.diyretainingwall.app/
This system provides:
- Step-by-step installation guidance
- Required documentation at each stage.
- Photo uploads with commentary
- Built-in quality control
Each step must be documented before proceeding.
Final Certification
At the end of construction:
- The contractor or owner submits the completed project through the app.
- We review the documentation.
- We issue an As-Built Certification confirming proper construction.
This creates a fully documented, verifiable record of the build.
Projects Over 8 Feet or Complex Conditions
Walls that include:
- Heights over 8 feet
- Slopes
- Surcharges
- Complex loading conditions
- Tiered walls
Require a third-party inspector on-site during construction.
Step 8: Pricing & Additional Engineering Considerations
Our pricing structure is designed to be straightforward:
- Flat-rate pricing with a minimum fee
- Additional cost per square foot beyond a threshold
For detailed pricing, visit:
👉 https://www.diyretainingwall.com/services
Global Stability Analysis
Some projects require global stability analysis.
Options include:
- Performed by our team (additional fee)
- Provided by your geotechnical engineer.
If we perform the analysis, we require:
- Full geotechnical design parameters for both retaining and foundation zones.
Learn When Global Stability is Required on Retaining Wall Projects.
Conclusion: A Better Way to Build Retaining Walls
The success of a retaining wall project starts long before construction. It begins with clear, complete information, and a structured engineering process.
By following this workflow, you can:
- Avoid costly delays.
- Streamline permitting
- Build with confidence using a verified system
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to move forward, start by submitting your project information through our contact form.
👉 Request Engineering Services:
https://www.diyretainingwall.com/services
👉 Learn more about our business:
https://diyretainingwall.com/faq/