Taunton · Somerset
Retaining wall repairs in Taunton
Whether it is a terraced lawn, a sunken patio or a drive cut into a bank, a failing retaining wall in Taunton 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£515per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- TA1
- Population
- about 65,000
- Area
- Somerset
- Pricing region
- South West
What should you know about the ground under Taunton?
We cover Taunton and its postcode districts TA1, part of Somerset, with a population of roughly 65,000. If you are just outside Taunton, we also cover Bridgwater (9 miles), Burnham-on-Sea (16 miles) and Tiverton (19 miles).
Parts of Somerset have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Somerset, most homes are Bath stone Georgian terraces, Victorian houses in Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, and post-war estates.
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.
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.
Symptoms that point to retaining wall repairs
- Horizontal or stepped cracks running along the face of the wall
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Wall leaning forward, or bulging out in the middle of its length
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Taunton
Prices in Taunton are worked out on South West 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 | £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
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
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
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for retaining wall repairs in Taunton?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Taunton 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 Taunton?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Taunton, including TA1, and from nearby places such as Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
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. 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.
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.
Related work in Taunton
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Gable end wall repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Crack stitching
- Structural crack repairs
Retaining wall repairs near Taunton
Send photos of the whole wall and its end profile at your Taunton property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.