Lichfield · Staffordshire
Retaining wall repairs in Lichfield
Whether it is a terraced lawn, a sunken patio or a drive cut into a bank, a failing retaining wall in Lichfield 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£500per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- WS13
- Population
- about 35,000
- Area
- Staffordshire
- Pricing region
- West Midlands
What should you know about the ground under Lichfield?
Lichfield (WS13) has around 35,000 residents and sits in Staffordshire. If you are just outside Lichfield, we also cover Burntwood (4 miles), Tamworth (6 miles) and Aldridge (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Staffordshire. Parts of Staffordshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Staffordshire: Potteries terraces, brick villas, inter-war semis and post-war estates.
What to look for before calling about retaining wall repairs
- Bricks or blocks pushed out of line, or coping stones sliding off
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Ground cracking or sinking along the top of the wall
Retaining wall repairs prices in Lichfield
Prices in Lichfield are worked out on West 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 | £500 – £2,000 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £3,000 – £15,000 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £200 – £450 | 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
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
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.
Site assessment
On site we measure height and lean, check the drainage and the ground at the top and bottom, and look at access for digging out. Walls that support a drive, path or building, or retain more than a modest height, are referred to an engineer.
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.
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 Lichfield
How much should I budget for retaining wall repairs in Lichfield?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Lichfield start from about £500 per wall, including VAT, on West Midlands 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 Lichfield?
Yes, Lichfield is covered, along with postcode districts WS13. We also cover nearby Burntwood and Tamworth.
Why do houses in Staffordshire crack?
North Staffordshire around Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove, and the Cannock Chase area, lie on coalfields with recorded workings. Much of the rest of the county is Mercia Mudstone and glacial clay. 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.
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.
Related work in Lichfield
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Brick arch repairs
Retaining wall repairs near Lichfield
If an engineer has already designed a new retaining wall for your Lichfield property, send the drawings and we will price building it.