Somerset · England
Retaining wall repairs in Somerset
We arrange surveys and price retaining wall repairs throughout Somerset. Parts of Somerset have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells, and we take that into account before recommending a method.
Guide price from£515per wall inc VAT
- Area
- Somerset
- Pricing region
- South West
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 11
How do local ground conditions affect retaining wall repairs in Somerset?
Somerset mixes Lias clays, Mercia Mudstone, limestone hills and the peat and alluvium of the Levels around Bridgwater, which can settle. The former Somerset coalfield around Radstock and Midsomer Norton left recorded workings.
Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. What you mostly find across Somerset: Bath stone Georgian terraces, Victorian houses in Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, and post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to retaining wall repairs
- Ground cracking or sinking along the top of the wall
- Water seeping through joints, or white salt staining, after rain
- Wall leaning forward, or bulging out in the middle of its length
- Horizontal or stepped cracks running along the face of the wall
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Somerset
For Somerset we use South 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 | £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 |
Methods for 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
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
From first photo to finished repair
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.
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.
Do you need approval 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.
Find retaining wall repairs in your Somerset town
Frequently asked questions
Why do houses in Somerset crack?
Somerset mixes Lias clays, Mercia Mudstone, limestone hills and the peat and alluvium of the Levels around Bridgwater, which can settle. The former Somerset coalfield around Radstock and Midsomer Norton left recorded workings. Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will retaining wall repairs cost in Somerset?
On South West rates, retaining wall repairs starts from about £515 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.
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.
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.