Burnley · Lancashire
Retaining wall repairs in Burnley
Whether it is a terraced lawn, a sunken patio or a drive cut into a bank, a failing retaining wall in Burnley needs drainage, a proper footing and enough strength for its height. We price the repair once the wall and its load are understood.
Guide price from£480per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BB10, BB11
- Population
- about 150,000
- Area
- Lancashire
- Pricing region
- North West
How do local ground conditions affect retaining wall repairs in Burnley?
Burnley (BB10, BB11) has around 150,000 residents and sits in Lancashire. We also take enquiries from nearby Nelson (3 miles), Colne (5 miles) and Accrington (6 miles).
Parts of Lancashire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Lancashire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Lancashire: Stone and brick mill terraces, seaside villas in Blackpool and Lytham, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Retaining wall repairs prices in Burnley
For Burnley we use North West rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repairs and drainage | £480 – £1,900 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £2,900 – £14,400 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £190 – £430 | per m² of wall face |
How we usually approach retaining wall repairs
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
Structural repair and partial rebuild
A leaning or bulging section is taken down, the soil behind dug out and supported, and the wall rebuilt on a new footing with drainage and, where specified, reinforcement tied into the sound wall either side. The engineer’s design sets footing size and wall thickness.
Best for: A section that has moved while the rest stays sound
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
- Horizontal or stepped cracks running along the face of the wall
- 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.
Questions about retaining wall repairs in Burnley
How much should I budget for retaining wall repairs in Burnley?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Burnley start from about £480 per wall, including VAT, on North 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 Burnley?
Yes, Burnley is covered, along with postcode districts BB10, BB11. We also cover nearby Nelson and Colne.
Why do houses in Lancashire crack?
Lancashire is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Burnley and Accrington coalfield in the east and soft coastal and estuarine ground on the Fylde. Old mill and mine sites leave made ground in many towns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall?
For low walls holding back a planting bed, often not. Walls retaining more than a modest height, often taken as more than about a metre, or supporting a drive, path, building or neighbour’s land, generally need an engineer’s design. An independent chartered structural engineer is appointed where needed, and we can arrange this.
Related work in Burnley
- Gable end wall repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Subsidence repairs
Retaining wall repairs near Burnley
Get a free initial assessment of a bulging or cracked retaining wall in Burnley from your photos or a call, before the next wet spell.