Angus and Dundee · Scotland
Retaining wall repairs in Angus and Dundee
Looking for retaining wall repairs in Angus and Dundee? Send us photos for a free initial view. Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Angus and Dundee, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first, so we look at the ground, drains and nearby trees before recommending anything.
Guide price from£475per wall inc VAT
- Area
- Angus and Dundee
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 5
Why does the ground in Angus and Dundee matter for retaining wall repairs?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common.
Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Angus and Dundee, most homes are sandstone tenements in Dundee, fishing-town houses and post-war estates.
How we usually approach retaining wall repairs
Drainage and minor repairs
Blocked weep holes are cleared or new ones drilled, and where practical a drainage layer is formed behind the wall with an outlet at its base. Loose copings are rebedded, open joints repointed and a few damaged bricks replaced. For a low wall that has not moved much, this can be enough.
Best for: Low walls that are damp or slightly weathered but still upright
Temporary support and reducing load
While a repair is designed and programmed, a dangerous wall may be propped, or soil and loads near the top removed to reduce the push. Moving parked cars or a shed back from the wall is sometimes the simplest first step.
Best for: Walls that are moving now and need making safe
Rebuilding on new footings
Where the whole wall is failing, it is replaced with a new retaining wall on a properly sized footing, with free-draining backfill, a membrane, weep holes and a drain at the base. Reinforced blockwork faced in brick or stone is common, so the wall matches its surroundings.
Best for: Walls failing along their length, or retaining significant height
What happens during retaining wall repairs, step by step?
Photos and measurements
Send photos of the whole wall from the front and the end, so any lean shows, plus close-ups of cracks and weep holes. Tell us roughly how tall it is and what sits at the top, such as lawn, patio, drive or a building.
Site assessment
On site we measure height and lean, check the drainage and the ground at the top and bottom, and look at access for digging out. Walls that support a drive, path or building, or retain more than a modest height, are referred to an engineer.
Build and drain
The failing section is taken down, the soil supported in short lengths, and the footing cast. The wall is rebuilt with drainage behind it, backfilled with free-draining material, and building control inspects where the work needs it.
What to look for before calling about retaining wall repairs
- Horizontal or stepped cracks running along the face of the wall
- Bricks or blocks pushed out of line, or coping stones sliding off
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Water seeping through joints, or white salt staining, after rain
Retaining wall repairs prices in Angus and Dundee
Prices in Angus and Dundee are worked out on Scotland rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repairs and drainage | £475 – £1,900 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £2,850 – £14,200 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £190 – £430 | per m² of wall face |
Do you need approval for retaining wall repairs in Scotland?
In Scotland, underpinning and other structural alterations generally need a building warrant from the council’s building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end; small like-for-like repairs often do not. There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland; shared walls are covered by title deeds and, for flats, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.
Find retaining wall repairs in your Angus and Dundee town
Questions about retaining wall repairs in Angus and Dundee
Why do houses in Angus and Dundee crack?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will retaining wall repairs cost in Angus and Dundee?
On Scotland rates, retaining wall repairs starts from about £475 per wall, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
How long does a retaining wall rebuild take?
Drainage and minor repairs usually take a day or two. Rebuilding a garden retaining wall on new footings typically takes one to three weeks, depending on its length, height, access for digging and any wait for the engineer’s design or inspections.
Is a leaning retaining wall dangerous?
It can be, especially if the lean is getting worse, the wall is tall, or there is a path, drive or building next to it. A wall that has leaned slightly for decades may be stable, but one that has moved recently should be kept clear and assessed soon.
Who is responsible for a retaining wall between two properties?
Usually the owner of the higher ground, because the wall holds up their land, but it depends on your title deeds and how the wall came to be built. Check the deeds first, take advice if it is unclear, and agree the repair with your neighbour before work starts.