Pricing
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are one of the most frequently disputed site cost items in a new home build. Whether your builder includes them, quotes them as a provisional sum, or excludes them entirely can add thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — to your final build cost.
4
Builders Include Standard
151
Offer as Upgrade
0
Do Not Include
What is it?
Retaining walls are structural walls that hold back soil where your block has a level change — either natural slope or created by cut-and-fill earthworks during site preparation. They can be timber sleeper, concrete sleeper, block, or poured concrete, and their cost depends on height, length, and engineering requirements.
Why buyers compare it
- Retaining walls can add $5,000–$30,000+ depending on block conditions
- Many builders exclude retaining walls from the base contract entirely
- Post-build retaining walls are more expensive and disruptive than during construction
- Retaining wall requirements are often unknown until the soil test is complete
Is it worth upgrading?
Questions to Ask Your Builder
Retaining Walls — Typical Costs
$250 – $450 /m
Treated pine logs — economical, 15–25 year lifespan
$450 – $800 /m
Steel posts with concrete panels — durable, 50+ year lifespan
$800 – $1,500+ /m
Engineered masonry — premium, structural, long-lasting
Compare My Build Tip
Retaining walls are far cheaper to build during site preparation than after handover. If your block needs any retaining, negotiate it into the building contract rather than dealing with a separate earthworks contractor later.
Which Builders Include Retaining Walls?
Hudson Homes
Evoca Homes
OJ Pippin Homes
Leonard Homes
SJD Homes
Southern Vale Homes
Fairhaven Homes
Aston Homes
Beachwood Homes
SOHO Living 
Simonds Homes
Hallmark Homes
Carlisle Homes
DR Homes 
Bold Living
JG King Homes
Arden Homes
McDonald Jones Homes
Clarendon Homes QLD
Henley Homes
Value Homes
Kingsbridge Homes
Cougar Homes
Coral Homes
Metricon Homes
Integrity New Homes 
Indigo Homes
Brighton Homes
Ownit Homes
DARE Homes
Gemini Homes
AUSMAR Homes
CJ Homes
Stroud Homes
McCarthy Homes
Rawson Homes
Dixon Homes
Vantage Building Group
Fresh Homes
Omni Built Homes
Homes by CMA
Hotondo Homes
Plantation Homes
Mimosa Homes
Stylemaster Homes
Wide Bay Homes
Omnia Homes
Austart Homes
Orbit Homes
Aspect Homes
Boutique Homes
Burbank Homes
Emerald Developments
Steve Bagnall Homes
Nostra Homes
Homebuyers Centre - VIC
Tapscott Homes
G.J. Gardner Homes – Gold Coast South
P.J Burns Builder
CCS Homes
Ausbuild Homes
Kiba Built
ABC Homes
G.J Gardner Homes – Melbourne North West
Eden Brae Homes
Bellriver Homes
New Living Homes
Masterton Homes
Domaine Homes
MOJO Homes
Champion Homes
Montgomery Homes
Hibbarb Homes
Wisdom Homes
Candor Homes
Lily Homes
Fowler Homes
Tempo Living
Kurmond Homes
Perry Homes
Winton Homes
Trend Connection Homes
Casaview Homes
Vogue Homes
Baygrove Designer Homes
Kaplan Homes
Crystele Homes
Practical Homes
Eagle Homes
Dream Scope Homes
Arcadia Homes
Homes By DJ Jones
Ellis Developments
MasterBuilt Homes
Bundy Homes
Arden Vale Homes
G&P Builders
McLachlan Homes
Weeks Homes
Metro Homes 
Kookaburra Homes
Coast Life Homes
CSB Homes
Everyday Homes
Infinite Homes
King Homes
Malpress Homes
Stonewood Homes
Bennic Homes
Movinda Homes
Verona Homes
Clarendon Homes NSW
Arli Homes
Metronest Homes
Oxame Homes
Melbourne Homes
5AB Homes VIC
5AB Homes SA
Hudson Ridge Builders
Langdon Building
Lane Housing Co
Arkadian Homes
Oasis Building Group
McMaster Designer Homes
Highmark Homes
Hearty Homes
Sessions Builders
Colmac Homes
Legend Homes
Key Homes
Allworth Homes
Garraway Homes
Hosies Homes
Redink Homes
Ultra Living Homes
Neptune Homes
Costa Homes
Better Built Homes
Vision Homes
Tullipan Homes
Oakworth Homes
Green Homes
Bluetongue Homes
Meridian Homes
Homes By ZAC
Provincial Homes
Avia Homes
Kline Homes
Ridgewater Homes
Central Property
Paul Gray Builders
Twomey Homes
Xircon Homes
Oakridge Living
Hunter Homes
MyStyle HomesRelated Guides
What Are Inclusions vs Upgrades?
Understand the difference between standard inclusions and paid upgrades in a new home build.
Hidden Costs Builders Don't Mention
Discover the costs that builders commonly exclude from their advertised 'from' prices.
Upgrade Costs Guide
Full breakdown of common upgrade costs across all categories in Australian home builds.
What to Compare Before Signing
The essential checklist of what to compare between builders before you sign a contract.
Compare Retaining Walls Across All Builders
Use our free comparison tool to see all inclusions side-by-side and find the best builder for your needs.
Compare All Builders