Concrete Retaining Walls in Olympia
Retaining walls fail from the back, not the front: water builds up behind them until they lean or crack. We pour concrete walls on proper footings with drain rock, filter fabric and a perforated drain behind them, so the wall holds the hill instead of the water.
Retaining Walls scope
- Poured concrete retaining walls
- Driveway cut walls
- Terraced yard walls
- Footings and reinforcement to spec
- Drain rock, fabric and perforated pipe
- Wall caps and steps through walls
- Replacement of failing walls
- Engineering coordination for tall walls
| Work | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Concrete retaining walls | quoted per linear foot on site |
| Engineering (tall walls) | by engineer, coordinated by us |
Typical Olympia-area ranges for planning. Your exact price comes in writing after a free on-site estimate — access, slope, demolition and drainage all affect it.
What’s different here
Permits
Walls over about 4 feet, or walls holding up a driveway, building or slope, generally need a permit and often an engineer. We tell you before we design.
Slopes and bluffs
Near steep slopes and shorelines, Olympia and Thurston County can require geotechnical review.
Wet winters
Every wall gets a drainage path. Without it, saturated soil in January is what pushes walls over.
What customers say
“Miguel did a great job designing our curved outside concrete stairwell with attached patio with an Italian slate stamped pattern. He has an eye for detail and a passion for his work.”
— Kevin S., Google review“They helped design our Stamped concrete walkway and porch… Our concrete driveway came out great as well. Clean work station and protected our siding and driveway from all of the concrete splatter.”
— Mike R., Google review“I can’t say enough about how impressed I was with Miguel’s crew. They were quick, hardworking, polite and professional.”
— Sara C., Google reviewRetaining Walls questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Olympia?
Generally for walls over about 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing) or walls supporting a surcharge like a driveway or building. Rules vary slightly between Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County; we confirm for your site.
Why do retaining walls fail?
Mostly water pressure behind the wall and undersized footings. Drainage and proper reinforcement prevent both.
Concrete or block?
Poured concrete is strong and compact for driveway cuts and tall walls; we’ll talk through what suits your slope and budget.
Can you build steps into a wall?
Yes — poured steps through or alongside the wall are common on terraced lots.
Steps & Stairs
New and replacement entry steps, stoops, garden steps and long front-yard stairs, formed to consistent rises with non-slip finishes.
Steps & Stairs details →Foundations
Footings, stem walls and slabs for homes, additions, garages, shops and ADUs — formed, reinforced and drained for Thurston County soils.
Foundations details →Concrete Driveways
Driveway replacement, new pours, aprons and RV parking on a compacted base thick enough for trucks, with joints cut where cracks want to go.
Concrete Driveways details →Get your free estimate
Tell us what’s cracked, sunken or waiting to be built. We’ll come out, measure, and give you a written price — free, and good whether you hire us or not.
Call now — (360) 469-6382- Free on-site estimates, written prices
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Washington
- Mon–Sat 8 AM–7 PM · Sun 9 AM–2 PM
- Rated 4.8★ on Google
Concrete work across the South Sound
Olympia neighborhoods
Lacey & Tumwater
Waterfront & Thurston County
Also serving Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda, Littlerock, Rochester & Grand Mound and Maytown.