Retaining Garden Wall

[mikeozz]

I am plannin to have a retaining wall built in the garden.
Job spec: Remove existing concrete style panels which currently form the retain, dig out, concrete foundation and re-build with engineering brick.
Approx length of wall is 30 ft long, height will be around 1.5 foot, also will be having a step installed leading onto garden.
I have been quoted around �800 which includes all labour and materials.
Estimate for labour was around 3.5 days.
Initially i though this was a little expensive however i know didly squat about building walls.
Would appreciate any feedback as to whether this appears to be a fair price.
I have had some other work done by these guys and am more than happy with their work and attitide.
Any help greatly appreciated.

[beejay1124]

not a great deal over expensive-but as you know their work then its better that than paying less for shoddy workmanship-these blokes prob spend a bit of extra time and effort to make sure they leave you a good job and tidy up after themselves etc

[LoftyLottie]

I would say it is a fair price and would expect a very good job for that.

[buildersmate]

It rather depends whether they are going to build it one brick thick, or two. In my opinion, even at only 18 inches high (5 brick courses) this ought to be two bricks thick, because of the weight of soil behind it. If not then at least it must have adequate piers that are 2 bricks thick. Ask them.
The materials for a 2 brick thick wall and foundations would be around �250 so its a good price.

[landscaper2]

Most definately needs to be a double row width ie 210mm. The footing will take just over 1 cu mtr of concrete(�85).You will need around 600 bricks(�300 @ 50p), which would give you one course below ground level + 5 c/s + 1 brick on edge to finish +sand/cement. What about spoil away - is a skip req? Depending on type of engineering brick, �800 seems a good price.

[Grumpy46]

If you know the guys & are happy with there work I would say being a builder that it is a good quote but dont going paying all the money up front may be �150.00 towards the materials at the most.

[Jugglering]

One other small point - did your builders mention weep holes? These might be needed in order to drain any water from behind the retaining wall, so that pressure doesn't build up there. If you see something like *perps* mentioned on the drawings, then these are the perpendicular gaps left between the bricks (instead of mortar) to allow for water seepages. However, if the height of the retaining wall is only 1.5 ft, you might not need these weep holes, but it would be better if the water could escape !