Exeter · Devon
Retaining wall repairs in Exeter
If a wall in your Exeter garden is leaning forward or weeping after rain, it is worth acting before winter adds more water to the soil. Clearing drainage can be enough for a low wall, while bigger walls may need rebuilding on new footings.
Guide price from£515per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4
- Population
- about 130,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect retaining wall repairs in Exeter?
Postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4 cover Exeter, a Devon town of about 130,000 people. Neighbouring towns we cover: Exmouth (9 miles), Tiverton (12 miles) and Newton Abbot (14 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Devon than in south-east England. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Housing stock in Devon: Cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
What should you budget for retaining wall repairs in Exeter?
Guide prices below are for homes in Exeter, on South West rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repairs and drainage | £515 – £2,050 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £3,100 – £15,400 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £205 – £465 | per m² of wall face |
Repair options we may recommend
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
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 to expect when we carry out retaining wall repairs
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.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote covering demolition, excavation, temporary support, the footing, the new or repaired wall, drainage and spoil removal. It becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.
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.
Is it time for retaining wall repairs? Common signs
- Water seeping through joints, or white salt staining, after rain
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Bricks or blocks pushed out of line, or coping stones sliding off
Rules for retaining wall repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Your retaining wall repairs questions
How much should I budget for retaining wall repairs in Exeter?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Exeter start from about £515 per wall, including VAT, on South West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Exeter?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Exeter, including EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, and from nearby places such as Exmouth and Tiverton. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Devon crack?
Devon's ground is mostly older mudstones, sandstones and granite, so shrinkable-clay subsidence is less widespread than further east. Older solid-walled and cob buildings, steep sites and retaining walls are the more common structural concerns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What are weep holes in a retaining wall?
Weep holes are small openings near the base of a retaining wall that let water drain out from the soil behind it. Without them, water builds up and adds hydrostatic pressure that can push the wall over. They work best with a drainage layer behind the wall, and they need to be kept clear.
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.
Related work in Exeter
- Floor joist repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Crack stitching
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Concrete repairs
Retaining wall repairs near Exeter
Send photos of the whole wall and its end profile at your Exeter property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.