Retaining wall contractors specialize in structural earth-retention systems for landscapes, solving problems that range from collapsing slopes to wasted yard space. Here is how we approach every retaining wall project, from initial site visit to finished structure.
Retaining Wall Contractors: What We Do and Where We Work
Western Lehigh Services, Inc. is a retaining wall contractor and full-service landscape construction company based in Lehigh Valley, PA. Founded in 1990, we serve homeowners and commercial property owners across Eastern Pennsylvania with retaining wall construction and retaining wall installation that stabilizes slopes, controls soil erosion, and creates usable outdoor spaces.
While hilly markets like Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are well known for slope challenges (Cincinnati alone has nearly 50 miles of retaining walls for erosion control), our region shares similar conditions: uneven ground, steep banks, clay soils, freeze-thaw cycles, and older walls that need replacement. Greater Cincinnati homeowners and those in Northern Kentucky deal with the same earth pressure and drainage conditions we see daily in the Lehigh Valley.
Core retaining wall services we provide:
- New wall construction (segmental block, natural stone, boulder walls, concrete)
- Repair or replacement of leaning, bulging, or failing walls
- Slope stabilization and erosion control for residential and commercial sites
- Wall-integrated outdoor living features: steps, terraces, seating walls, patios, and pool surrounds
Custom Retaining Walls: From Retaining Wall Design to Finished Structure
Every custom retaining wall we build starts with retaining wall design tied to the site’s specific conditions. We evaluate wall height, soil type, proximity to your house or driveways, slope angle, drainage conditions, and how you intend to use the space; whether for a garden, patio, pool deck, or parking area.
Material selection is crucial for wall durability and aesthetics. We build custom retaining walls in several materials: large-format concrete block systems like Verti-Block, natural stone retaining walls (fieldstone, limestone, granite), decorative segmental block, and boulder walls for accent or terracing. Segmental block walls offer design flexibility for tiered gardens. Concrete walls are ideal for taller structures needing support. Cinder block walls provide dependable strength for residential homes. Timber retaining walls blend well with mature landscapes, though their lifespan (10 to 25 years) is shorter than stone or concrete options, which can last 50 to 100+ years.
We frequently pair walls with patios, steps, walkways, and outdoor kitchens to transform uneven ground into complete outdoor spaces. Design options we build regularly include:
- Curved walls for natural-looking transitions along slopes
- Tiered or terraced walls that split a tall drop into multiple levels
- Integrated landscape beds and planter pockets within the wall layout
- Seating walls doubling as benches along patios or fire pits
- Fences or railings on top of walls where local code or safety requires fall protection
- Lighting integrated into wall caps or steps for nighttime functionality
The Weisenberg Wall Project: 136 Feet of Structural Retaining Wall
The Weisenberg Wall is a signature Western Lehigh Services, Inc. retaining wall project in Weisenberg Township, PA, completed in 10 working days. This job demonstrates what a structured retaining wall construction process looks like at scale.
The construction sequence moved through clearing trees and stumps, benching the hillside, excavating a base trench (squared by hand beyond bucket width), and compacting the subgrade in lifts with a plate compactor. We installed a screeded leveling pad along the full 136-foot run, placed perforated drain pipe at the base, filled block cores with clean stone, and backfilled with 2B stone behind each course. Every block course was leveled front to back and side to side before the next was set. Cutting and fitting blocks at curves and stair transitions required precision to maintain interlock and appearance. The finished wall includes a split-rail fence along the top, tying into the surrounding landscape and protecting the upper grade from erosion.
Project by the numbers:
- Length: 136 linear feet
- Maximum wall height: 11 feet
- Block units: 152 Verti-Block
- Backfill stone: approximately 210 tons of 2B stone
- Drainage: 4-inch perforated pipe, continuous along base
- Duration: 10 working days
How Professional Retaining Wall Construction Works (Step-by-Step)
A properly built retaining wall lasts decades. Skipped steps; poor drainage, loose base material, inadequate compaction; lead to leaning, bulging, or complete failure within 3 to 10 years. Every retaining wall project starts with an on-site consultation. Here is the process a project begins with and follows through to completion:
- On-site visit and assessment: Site evaluations should assess soil stability, drainage, and slope conditions before construction. Measure slope angles, classify soil, check for utilities and water table depth.
- Survey and alignment: Set string lines or GPS layout. Plan wall location relative to the slope, buildings, and property lines.
- Excavation and base trench: Dig to required depth, remove soft soils, bench the slope. Installation includes excavation, base preparation, and wall construction from this point forward.
- Subgrade compaction: Compact in 4- to 6-inch lifts to a minimum of 95% maximum dry density.
- Leveling pad: Spread and screed base stone to dead level along the full wall run.
- Drainage installation: Proper drainage installation prevents hydrostatic pressure behind walls. Proper drainage also prevents hydrostatic pressure behind retaining walls over time. French drains and weep holes are essential for effective drainage. Use clean stone backfill behind the wall face, and keep fine soils (clay, silt) separated with filter fabric.
- Geogrid reinforcement: Engineered designs may be necessary for walls under specific local building codes. Walls exceeding 3 to 4 feet often require structural engineering and building permits.
- Block stacking and cutting: Set first course precisely; errors in the base multiply upward. Level and check batter on every course.
- Final grading and cleanup: Grade surface behind wall to flow away from the structure. Soil composition affects drainage patterns in retaining wall design, so grading must account for local soil behavior.
The Weisenberg Wall followed this sequence exactly. Daily grade checks and compaction at each stage prevented settlement and ensured the 11-foot structure remained plumb.
Benefits of Retaining Walls for Slopes, Uneven Ground, and Outdoor Living
Retaining walls convert sloped, unusable yard into safe, level usable space. On steep properties, they solve problems that grading alone cannot fix.
Retaining walls can manage stormwater runoff by staging slopes and channeling water through drains, protecting your property during heavy rain. Grading directs water away from foundations and patios. On sites with clay soils common to the Lehigh Valley, engineered backfill replaces native soil to ensure long-term stability. Natural Indiana limestone is durable for Cincinnati’s climate, and similar natural stone performs well in Eastern PA’s freeze-thaw conditions. Our approach mirrors proven solutions from hilly regions like Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky but is tailored for the soils and climate of the Lehigh Valley.
Before-and-after scenarios we build regularly:
- Steep backyard converted into two flat terraces for a paver patio and lawn area
- Driveway or parking pad stabilized where slope previously caused water pooling and mud
- Old failing stone garden wall replaced with a structurally sound block or stone wall, with landscape features integrated into the new design
- Sloped pool site graded and retained to create a level deck; see our custom pool installations for examples
Why Choose Western Lehigh Services, Inc. for Your Retaining Wall
Western Lehigh Services, Inc. has delivered landscape construction and outdoor living projects across the Lehigh Valley since 1990. That is over 30 years of installing retaining walls, building patios, grading sites, and constructing backyard spaces designed to last.
We run complete in-house crews and equipment, including our own trucks for material delivery (on the Weisenberg Wall, we hauled 210 tons of 2B stone with our own fleet). We handle residential and commercial walls, from small garden walls to structural installations exceeding 10 feet in height, built to appropriate engineering and local code requirements. A final walkthrough ensures customer satisfaction and addresses questions before we leave the job site.
When hiring any wall contractors, verify these items:
- Confirm that the contractor carries active general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
- Verify that the contractor holds a valid state or local license for masonry or hardscaping
- Request detailed, itemized estimates from multiple contractors to compare costs accurately
- Obtain references from past clients to assess the contractor’s workmanship and project outcomes
- Expect a clear written warranty that should cover structural integrity and workmanship for a minimum of 1 to 5 years
- Expect a detailed contract that should outline the scope of work, materials, and drainage plans
Top reasons to hire Western Lehigh Services, Inc.:
- Experience since 1990 in landscape construction, hardscaping, and site work
- Craftsmanship with daily grade checks, compaction standards, and precision block cutting
- Complete project ownership from design through wall to finishes
- Communication throughout the build, with clear timelines and budgets
- Integration of wall projects with patios, pools, outdoor kitchens, lighting, and drainage
Contact us for a free on-site consultation. We will review your wall design options, materials, and budget in detail so you know what to expect before the project begins.
