Yes, most retaining walls in Australia require engineering, especially when they exceed a certain height or are supporting additional loads. In South Australia, including Adelaide, council regulations generally require a qualified structural engineer to design and certify retaining walls to ensure they are safe, compliant, and built to Australian Standards.
Because engineering requirements vary between states and councils, it’s essential to work with experienced retaining wall builders who understand the regulations inside and out. At Fresh Retaining Walls, we manage the entire process for you. Engineering, approvals, and construction, ensuring your retaining wall is designed correctly and built to last. Our licensed and insured team liaises directly with the engineer on your behalf, guaranteeing your retaining wall meets all Adelaide council requirements and structural compliance standards.
In most cases, yes. Retaining walls in Adelaide require council approval, especially when they exceed certain heights or impact neighbouring properties. Fresh Retaining Walls handles the entire approval process on your behalf. Our team liaises directly with your local council to ensure your retaining wall design, engineering, and documentation all meet South Australian regulations. It’s part of our end-to-end service, allowing you to relax while your new retaining walls are professionally built from start to finish.
Retaining walls are not priced on size alone. The cost can vary based on several factors, including site access, wall height and length, required earthworks or excavation, engineering needs, and the materials chosen. Every retaining wall project is unique, which is why we offer no-obligation quotes to help you budget accurately. Contact Paul today to discuss your Adelaide retaining wall project and explore the best options for your property.
While many materials can be used in retaining wall construction, some offer far better durability, structural strength, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in Adelaide’s soil and weather conditions. Common choices include concrete sleepers, timber sleepers, and masonry blocks. If you have a specific stone or material in mind, it may be possible to design your retaining wall with a cladding or finish that suits your vision, provided it meets structural and engineering requirements.
If you’re unsure where to start, book a free quote. With years of experience building some of the best retaining walls in Adelaide, we can recommend the most suitable materials and design options to match your property, budget, and long-term needs.
The depth of retaining wall footings depends on the wall height, soil type and engineering requirements. In Adelaide, footings for concrete sleeper and block retaining walls are generally dug deep enough to ensure the structure remains stable and compliant with Australian Standards. Because every site is different, a structural engineer determines the exact footing depth for safety and long-term performance. Fresh Retaining Walls manages the engineering and construction process for you so your footings are built correctly from the start.
Yes. Fresh Retaining Walls can remove and replace old, failing or damaged retaining walls. We assess the condition of your existing wall, handle demolition and disposal, and rebuild a new engineered retaining wall that meets current Adelaide regulations. Replacing an old wall is often the safest and most cost-effective option, especially when structural integrity has been compromised.
Yes. Our team provides complete removal and disposal of old retaining walls as part of your project. Using our own excavators, skid steers and tipper trucks, we can safely demolish and clear the site before rebuilding your new retaining wall. This allows for a smooth process from start to finish without the need for additional contractors.
Yes. Fresh Retaining Walls works closely with homeowners, builders and developers on new home builds across Adelaide. We provide all earthworks, excavation, engineering, council approvals and construction needed to deliver a fully compliant retaining wall for your new property. Whether you need boundary retaining walls, cut and fill solutions or tiered designs, we have the capability to manage the entire project.
Fresh Retaining Walls services all of metropolitan Adelaide, as well as surrounding regions from Victor Harbor through to Murray Bridge. If you are located outside these areas, contact Paul to discuss your project. We may still be able to assist and can provide travel and accommodation costings if needed.
In most Adelaide council areas, retaining walls over a certain height require approval, typically starting at around one metre. The exact height varies depending on your council, site conditions and whether the wall affects neighbouring properties. Because rules can differ, it is always safest to check before building. Fresh Retaining Walls handles all council approvals for you to ensure your retaining wall meets local regulations.
Yes, retaining walls can sometimes be built on a boundary, but strict regulations apply. Boundary retaining walls often require engineering, council approval and neighbour consent due to shared impact and load support. Our team can advise on what is permitted for your property and manage all approvals and documentation to ensure compliance with South Australian building requirements.
Yes. Fresh Retaining Walls works with builders, landscapers, civil contractors and developers across Adelaide. We provide reliable retaining wall construction, earthworks and excavation services for residential and commercial projects. With a full fleet of machinery and an experienced team, we can support ongoing partnerships and large-scale developments.
Earthworks refers to the process of preparing your site for construction. This can involve bulk removal or reshaping of soil, rock, and other materials using heavy machinery. Earthworks may include cutting, filling, levelling, or moving materials from one part of the site to another to create a stable foundation for retaining walls, landscaping, and other civil works. Proper earthworks are essential to ensure your retaining wall construction in Adelaide is safe, compliant, and built on solid ground.
The timeframe for earthworks can vary from a few hours to several days, depending on the size and complexity of your Adelaide retaining wall or landscaping project. At Fresh Retaining Walls, we work efficiently to minimise disruption to you, your property, and your neighbours. Our team keeps you informed throughout the entire earthworks and construction process so you always know what to expect. For an accurate estimate, contact Paul to discuss the specific earthworks your project may require.
Yes. Fresh Retaining Walls provides full excavation services as part of our end-to-end retaining wall and landscaping solutions. With our own fleet of excavators, skid steers, and tipper trucks, we are fully equipped to complete all excavation and site preparation required before building retaining walls or undertaking landscaping works. To learn more about our excavation capabilities or to book a quote, contact Paul today.
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