Retaining Walls in Upland, PA

Stop Erosion Before It Costs You Thousands

Professional retaining wall installation that protects your property and creates the functional outdoor space you actually want to use.

A stone retaining wall with blooming lavender plants on top showcases thoughtful landscape design, set beside a lush green lawn and a charming stone building in the background.

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A construction worker in a safety vest and helmet measures a newly built stone retaining wall, showcasing expert hardscape design next to a house. Tools and concrete blocks rest on the gravel path, while trees enhance the landscaping in the background.

Professional Retaining Wall Installation Upland

What You Get With Proper Installation

Your erosion problems stop. That slope that’s been washing away every heavy rain gets transformed into stable, usable space that actually adds value to your property.

You’ll have peace of mind knowing your foundation, driveway, and landscaping are protected from water damage. No more watching your yard disappear after every storm or dealing with muddy runoff pooling where it shouldn’t.

The right retaining wall doesn’t just hold back soil – it creates opportunities. Flat planting areas where there used to be unusable slope. Defined garden beds that actually stay put. Outdoor spaces you can finally use instead of just looking at and shaking your head.

Upland Retaining Wall Contractors

We've Been Solving Delaware County Drainage Issues

Spennato Landscaping has been handling retaining wall projects throughout Upland and Delaware County for years. We understand the soil conditions here, the drainage challenges that come with our terrain, and what it takes to build walls that actually last.

You’re not getting a crew that learned about retaining walls from YouTube. You’re getting contractors who’ve seen what happens when corners get cut, who know which materials work in our climate, and who understand that doing it right the first time costs less than fixing someone else’s mistakes.

We’re licensed, insured, and we live in the community we serve. When we build your retaining wall, we’re building our reputation along with it.

Stone steps and terraced retaining walls showcase thoughtful hardscape design, surrounded by green plants and tall grass under a bright blue sky on a sunny day.

Retaining Wall Design Process

Here's Exactly What Happens From Start to Finish

First, we assess your specific drainage and erosion issues. Every property is different, and cookie-cutter solutions don’t work. We look at soil conditions, water flow patterns, and what you’re trying to accomplish with the space.

Next, we design a solution that fits your needs and budget. Stone, concrete, or brick – we’ll explain the pros and cons of each material for your specific situation. No pressure, just honest information so you can make the right choice.

Then we handle permits and prep work. Proper excavation, base preparation, and drainage installation happen before the first block goes in place. This foundation work determines whether your wall lasts five years or fifty.

Finally, we build it right. Each course gets checked for level and alignment. Drainage systems get installed as we go. When we’re done, you get a retaining wall that’s engineered to handle whatever weather Delaware County throws at it.

A construction worker in a safety vest and helmet installs a drainage pipe along a concrete block retaining wall, enhancing the landscaping at a work site next to a house and dirt embankment.

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Stone Concrete Brick Retaining Walls

Materials and Options That Actually Work Here

We work with natural stone, concrete block, and brick retaining walls depending on what makes sense for your project. Stone walls blend naturally with existing landscaping and handle our freeze-thaw cycles well. Concrete block systems offer clean lines and consistent results for larger installations.

Every retaining wall we build includes proper drainage systems. French drains, weep holes, and gravel backfill aren’t optional extras – they’re standard practice that prevent the hydrostatic pressure that destroys walls from behind.

You’ll also get landscape retaining walls designed to work with your existing plantings and future garden plans. We coordinate with your overall landscape design so everything works together instead of fighting each other.

A tiered stone retaining wall with textured gray blocks enhances the landscaping, supporting a garden area with small green plants and dark soil in the foreground. A road and hedges are visible in the background.
Retaining wall costs depend on height, length, materials, and site conditions. Basic concrete block walls typically start around $15-25 per square foot, while natural stone installations range from $25-40 per square foot. However, these are rough estimates – factors like excavation requirements, drainage needs, and permit costs affect the final price. The best approach is getting a site evaluation so we can give you accurate numbers based on your specific project rather than ballpark figures that might not apply to your situation.
Most retaining walls over 4 feet high require permits in Delaware County, and some municipalities have lower thresholds. Upland Borough has specific requirements for setbacks and drainage that affect wall design and placement. We handle the permit process as part of our service because we know the local requirements and have relationships with the building departments. It’s not worth risking code violations or having to rebuild later when permits are straightforward to obtain upfront.
Natural stone walls offer a more organic look that blends with existing landscaping, and they handle temperature changes well without cracking. They’re also easier to modify later if needed. Concrete block systems provide consistent dimensions for precise installation and often cost less for larger projects. They also offer more design options with different textures and colors. Both materials work well in our climate when installed properly with adequate drainage. The choice usually comes down to your aesthetic preferences and budget rather than performance differences.
Properly installed retaining walls with adequate drainage systems typically last 50-75 years in Pennsylvania’s climate. The key factors are foundation preparation, drainage installation, and using materials rated for freeze-thaw cycles. Walls that fail early usually have drainage problems or inadequate base preparation rather than material issues. We see 20-30 year old walls that look brand new and 5-year old walls that are already failing – the difference is almost always in the installation quality and drainage design.
Retaining wall installation is possible during mild winter periods when ground isn’t frozen, but spring through fall offers better conditions. Concrete and mortar don’t cure properly in freezing temperatures, and excavation becomes difficult in frozen ground. We typically recommend scheduling major retaining wall projects for March through November when weather conditions allow proper installation techniques. However, we can handle emergency repairs and smaller projects during winter months when weather permits.
Poor drainage is the number one cause of retaining wall failure. Water buildup behind walls creates hydrostatic pressure that pushes walls forward and causes leaning or collapse. Inadequate foundation preparation, using undersized materials for the wall height, and improper backfill also contribute to failures. This is why we emphasize drainage systems and proper base preparation – they’re not visible once the project is complete, but they determine whether your wall lasts decades or starts having problems within a few years.