Retaining Walls · Fairfax, VA
Retaining Wall Contractor in Fairfax, VA
Fairfax has more slope than most people expect, and much of it sits on clay. We build segmental block and natural stone retaining walls across Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, sized for the grade and drained for the water on your lot.
5-year workmanship warranty
In writing, on every job we install.
- 5 years Retaining walls
Two jurisdictions behind one address
A Fairfax mailing address can mean Fairfax County or the independent City of Fairfax, and the two handle permits separately. Walls in the county go through Fairfax County Land Development Services; walls inside city limits go through the City of Fairfax.
Whether a wall needs a permit, or an engineered design, depends on its height measured from the bottom of the footing and on what it holds up, such as a driveway or a slope above it. We confirm the requirement with the right office before we price the job, not after.
Clay soil and where the water goes
Much of Fairfax County is clay that holds water and swells when it is wet, and parts of the county are mapped as problem soils, including marine clay, where building can call for a geotechnical review. A wall holding back saturated clay carries far more load than one holding back soil that drains.
So the effort goes where you will never see it: a compacted gravel footing below grade, open-graded stone behind the wall, filter fabric to keep the clay out of it, and a drain outlet that actually leads somewhere. Most retaining wall failures are water failures, and this is where they are prevented.
Walls that make a sloped yard usable
In subdivisions built on rolling ground, the usual request is to turn a slope into flat lawn or a patio, terrace a steep side yard, or hold back the grade beside a driveway. We design the wall around how you want to use the space above and below it.
If your community has an HOA, the design usually needs architectural review before work starts. We provide the drawings, dimensions, and material specifications the application asks for.
Retaining Walls, step by step
Every job follows the same sequence. You are told which stage you are at and what happens next.
Survey the slope and the water
We measure the grade, work out how much soil the wall actually has to hold, and trace where water moves across the site. Load and water are what size the wall; the look is chosen afterward.
Design, engineering, and permits
Taller walls and walls carrying a surcharge such as a driveway need an engineered design and a permit. We tell you which category yours falls into before you commit, and confirm the requirement with your jurisdiction rather than guessing.
Excavation and footing
We dig below the finished grade and build a compacted aggregate footing. The first course sits below ground level, which is what stops the wall walking forward over time.
Drainage detail
Open-graded backfill, filter fabric, and an outlet that carries water somewhere useful. Most wall failures are water failures, and this is the stage that decides whether yours is one of them.
Courses and backfill
Units are set level and backfilled as we go, compacting in lifts behind the wall rather than dumping soil in at the end.
Caps and finish grading
Caps are set and secured, grade is restored above and below, and the site is cleaned up.
Recent retaining walls work nearby
Jobs from elsewhere in Northern Virginia, each with its own page. The same crews and the same standard apply in Fairfax.
Retaining Walls photographs
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Fairfax County?
It depends on the height of the wall and what it holds back. The measurement that counts is from the bottom of the footing, not from the lawn, so a wall that looks short can still need one, and a wall carrying a driveway or a slope can need an engineered design at a lower height. We check with Fairfax County Land Development Services, or with the City of Fairfax if you are inside city limits, before we quote.
Block or natural stone for a wall in Fairfax?
Segmental block where the wall is doing structural work, especially taller walls and walls beside driveways, because it is engineered to lock together and to be built to a specification. Natural stone where the wall is lower and on show. Plenty of yards end up with both.
Does my HOA need to approve a retaining wall?
Many Fairfax communities require architectural review for walls, patios, and grading changes. Check your covenants. We supply the drawings and material details the application needs, and we do not start until it is approved.
How long does a retaining wall take to build?
A typical residential wall takes days rather than weeks once materials are on site. An engineered wall adds design and permit time beforehand. You get a schedule with the estimate.
Ready to start? Schedule a free estimate.
Or call (703) 929-1621