Fareham · Hampshire
Retaining wall repairs in Fareham
On sloping plots in Fareham and across Hampshire, many retaining walls were built decades ago with little thought for drainage. As the soil stays wet and roots grow, those walls start to lean, and the lean usually speeds up rather than slows.
Guide price from£560per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- PO14, PO15, PO16
- Population
- about 42,000
- Area
- Hampshire
- Pricing region
- South East
What is the ground like in Hampshire?
Fareham, Hampshire: about 42,000 residents across postcode districts PO14, PO15, PO16. Nearby, we also cover Portsmouth (5 miles), Hedge End (7 miles) and Waterlooville (7 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Hampshire. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Hampshire, most homes are Victorian terraces in Portsmouth and Southampton, 1930s semis, and large post-war and new-build estates.
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.
Engineer’s design
Where the wall needs it, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed to design the repair or new wall, including footing, thickness, reinforcement and drainage. We can arrange this, and the design forms the basis of the quote.
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
- Wall leaning forward, or bulging out in the middle of its length
- Bricks or blocks pushed out of line, or coping stones sliding off
- Ground cracking or sinking along the top of the wall
Retaining wall repairs prices in Fareham
The ranges below reflect typical South East costs for retaining wall repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repairs and drainage | £560 – £2,250 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £3,350 – £16,800 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £225 – £505 | per m² of wall face |
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
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
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.
Questions about retaining wall repairs in Fareham
How much will retaining wall repairs cost in Fareham?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Fareham start from about £560 per wall, including VAT, on South East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Fareham?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Fareham, including PO14, PO15, PO16, and from nearby places such as Portsmouth and Hedge End. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Is the ground in Hampshire prone to subsidence?
Central Hampshire is chalk, while the south around Portsmouth, Southampton and the New Forest fringe and the north-east around Farnborough sit on London Clay, Reading Beds and other clays and sands. The clay areas see seasonal movement near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Does home insurance cover a collapsed garden retaining wall?
Often not, because many policies exclude garden walls unless the house is damaged by the same event, and gradual failure is usually excluded. A collapse caused by landslip or a sudden escape of water may be treated differently. Check your schedule and tell your insurer before permanent repairs start.
Other structural repairs in Fareham
Retaining wall repairs near Fareham
Retaining wall leaning in Fareham? Keep the area below clear, send us photos, and we will tell you whether it needs an engineer’s design.