Retaining Walls for Sloped East Bay Lots
Plenty of East Bay lots are built into a hillside. A well-built wall turns a slope into flat, usable space, but what keeps it standing is the drainage and backfill behind it, not the block you see from the patio.
Licensed #1118886 · Bonded and insured · English and Spanish
Projects we take on
- Segmental block garden and terrace walls
- Seat walls and planter walls
- Stone-faced and stucco-faced walls
- Terraced walls that break up a long slope
- Wall and step combinations for grade changes
Materials and finishes
- • Segmental retaining wall block in gray, tan and blended tones
- • Cap units and matching step block
- • Stone veneer and stucco finishes
- • Poured concrete walls where the site calls for it
How the work goes
- 01Slope and drainage reviewWe look at where water comes from and where it needs to go before anything is designed.
- 02Excavation and footingA level compacted base trench is cut below grade so the first course starts right.
- 03Block placementCourses are set level, stepped back per the system, and pinned or locked as the system requires.
- 04Drainage and backfillDrain rock and a perforated drain line go behind the wall, with backfill compacted in lifts.
- 05Caps and finish gradingCaps are set and adhered, then the area above and below the wall is graded and cleaned up.
Preparation, drainage and durability
Every wall gets drain rock, filter fabric where needed and a drain outlet so hydrostatic pressure has somewhere to go. Taller walls and walls carrying a load above them may require engineering and a permit; we tell you when that applies before work starts.
Why hire Golden Hills
- More than 20 years of hands-on experience
- Licensed California contractor #1118886
- Bonded and insured, owner-led crews
- Clear written estimates before work starts
- Organized job sites and full cleanup
- English and Spanish communication
Reputation
Customer feedback
“My wife and I recently hired Golden Hills Landscaping for a fence and retaining wall repair project that ultimately evolved into a complete backyard makeover. We could not be happier with the results. Alonso, the owner, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He took our general ideas and turned them into a cohesive, functional outdoor design that beautifully complements our property while staying within our budget. The craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the project were outstanding. Alonso and his team were consistently prompt and professional. Whenever unexpected issues arose, Alonso was transparent and communicated clearly about the situation, available options, and any associated costs.”
“Had a great experience with Golden Hills Landscape. They installed pavers, irrigation, rocks, and sod in my backyard and did a fantastic job. Super professional, great prep work, and everything was done in a timely manner. Pricing was very fair. The yard looks amazing--would definitely use them again and highly recommend.”
“Viktor listened to my concerns about my cracked driveway and came up with a creative, cost-effective solution that worked perfectly. The team worked tirelessly from morning until night and never skipped a day, staying on schedule and completing the job within the proposed time period. The quality of the work was outstanding--my driveway looks beautiful now, and the entire process was seamless.”
Google reviews above are pulled live from our Google Business Profile and shown unedited. Every quote links to the original review.
Retaining Walls questions we get
- How tall can a wall be without engineering?
- It depends on the city and on what sits above the wall. We check the local threshold for your project and let you know if a stamped design is needed.
- Why does the wall need drainage?
- Saturated soil pushes hard against a wall. Drain rock and a drain line relieve that pressure, which is the most common reason walls fail.
- Block, poured concrete or stone?
- Block is the most common for residential yards. Poured or veneered walls suit specific looks and site conditions.
- Can a wall fix my erosion problem?
- Often, combined with grading and drainage. A wall alone without drainage usually moves the problem somewhere else.
- Can I plant above the wall?
- Yes, with the planting area graded so irrigation water does not saturate the backfill.
- How long does a wall take?
- Short garden walls can go up in a few days. Terraced or tall walls take longer because of excavation and compaction.
Related services
Where we work
Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, retaining wall, drainage system or complete outdoor renovation, Golden Hills can help you understand the right next step.