Seeking recommendation for someone to build a retaining wall

Leo61 said :

We used StoneMad. They did a great job and on time. Our sandstone wall was about $260 sq/m with all material included.

Hi guys,
Thanks for the StoneMad recommendation. I’m looking to get a sandstone retaining wall too. StoneMad says all stone walls in Canberra do not need any footings, can anyone confirm? (I’m just looking to go 650mm high)
I also got a quote for a brick retaining wall from Geoff Wallace, and he says brick walls need footings.
I’m not sure why a brick wall would need a footing but not stone, can any RiotAct experts shed some light?
Many thanks…

Elf said :

If your retaining wall us over 1.2 metres it needs approval. This adds to the mucking around so a lot of landscapers (including myself) avoid these jobs.

Great! My understanding is it was 1.6m… Hopefully I’ll eventually find someone willing to do it at a reasonable price

If your retaining wall us over 1.2 metres it needs approval. This adds to the mucking around so a lot of landscapers (including myself) avoid these jobs.

Hi Genie, he actaully started out as a landscape designer before specialising in carpentary – he’s all about the wholistic approach. Give him a shout on facebook and ask, i’ve had him do a fair bit of work for me and loved it.
(i know i sound very salesman-y about him, but i was really just genuinely very impressed)

Kdowgg said :

These guys do everything, and they do it all magnificently and extremely competitively:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/CarpentryCanberra

They dont appear the build retaining walls, but their wood work is amazing. I’ll be calling them once I can afford to extend my outdoor area.

Very Busy – while I would love to build it myself to save cash.. I don’t know the first thing about building a retaining wall and I don’t think watching youtube videos would cut it. I’d rather a professional build it so i dont flood my house either. I only need someone to do my retaining walls, i plan on completing the rest of the landscaping work myself.

As mentioned the current height that my block has been cut breaches regulations – hence why i would also prefer to pay someone, they actual understand all the rules around what the wall needs so it’s not illegal or unsafe.

I had a brick retaining wall built last year. I managed the whole project myself. My wall is 750mm high (seven courses off the footing plus a capping course on top). With me doing all of the organizing the cost came in at about $190 per metre (750mm high). This includes the site cut, footing dig (300mm X 200mm), concrete, mesh etc for footings, bricks, sand, lime, cement and all labour.

You will save big bucks by managing the job yourself. You will never get a builder to do the lot for $200 per square metre. If you are unsure about how to get started you could consult with a good bobcat/excavator operator as they may be able to get the job started for you and provide advice to get you up to the footing stage.

A brickie will charge around $1 per brick (labour only) plus extra for capping the top.

These guys do everything, and they do it all magnificently and extremely competitively:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/CarpentryCanberra

Try ACT Property Services – Michael’s done plenty of similar work for me and I found him to be reliable and able to deal with difficult situations. He’s not expensive. (0417) 063536 will get him. Cheers

We used StoneMad. They did a great job and on time. Our sandstone wall was about $260 sq/m with all material included.