Wigston · Leicestershire
Retaining wall repairs in Wigston
Wondering whether a bowed garden wall in Wigston can be repaired or must come down? The answer depends on height, the size of the bulge and whether the footing has moved, and photos usually tell us which it is likely to be.
Guide price from£490per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE18
- Population
- about 37,000
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Is Leicestershire prone to ground movement?
Wigston (LE18) has around 37,000 residents and sits in Leicestershire. Neighbouring towns we cover: Leicester (4 miles), Earl Shilton (9 miles) and Mountsorrel (10 miles).
Parts of Leicestershire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Leicestershire: Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
What should you budget for retaining wall repairs in Wigston?
Prices in Wigston are worked out on East Midlands 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 | £490 – £1,950 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £2,950 – £14,700 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £195 – £440 | 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
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 to expect when we carry out retaining wall repairs
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.
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
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Bricks or blocks pushed out of line, or coping stones sliding off
- Water seeping through joints, or white salt staining, after rain
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
What is the price of retaining wall repairs in Wigston?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Wigston start from about £490 per wall, including VAT, on East Midlands rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out retaining wall repairs in Wigston?
Yes, Wigston is covered, along with postcode districts LE18. We also cover nearby Leicester and Earl Shilton.
Does the ground around Wigston cause cracking?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Wigston
- Floor joist repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Concrete repairs
Retaining wall repairs near Wigston
The written quote for your Wigston retaining wall sets out excavation, footing, drainage and rebuild, then becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.