TWEED HEADS RETAINING WALLS

 OUR SERVICE AREA & WHAT WE BUILD

What areas do you service?

We build retaining walls across Tweed Heads, Banora Point, Tweed Heads South, Kingscliff, Terranora and nearby Gold Coast suburbs.

What types of retaining walls do you build?

Concrete sleeper, poured concrete, gravity walls, timber, boulder/rock, stone, and gabion walls, plus steps, terraces and garden edging.

Do you supply gabion baskets?

Yes—galvanised or PVC-coated gabions with rock infill, engineered for stability.

Are boulder walls compliant?

When engineered and installed correctly with proper base and drainage, yes. They suit natural, coastal looks.

Can I DIY and you supply materials?

We’re primarily a design-and-build crew, but can discuss supply-only on request.

PRICING, QUOTES & VALUE

How much does a retaining wall cost?

 Typical ranges: $250–$400/m² (timber) and $450–$700+/m² (concrete/stone). Final price depends on height, length, access, engineering and drainage.

Can you give a ballpark from photos?

Yes—send photos, suburb, approx. height/length and we’ll provide a same-day estimate. We confirm with a free on-site quote.

What payment terms do you offer?

Typically deposit on acceptance, progress payment mid-build, and balance on completion. All outlined in the quote.

Is GST included in the price?

Yes—our quotes are clearly itemised and GST inclusive unless stated otherwise.

Do you offer finance options?

We don’t finance directly. We can stage works or split into phases to suit budget.

APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE & LICENCES (NSW/QLD)

Do you handle engineering and council approvals?

Yes. For walls that need it, we organise structural engineering and assist with council paperwork in NSW/QLD.

When is approval required?

Often if the wall is over ~600 mm (NSW) or ~1 m (QLD), near a boundary, supports a surcharge load, or is terraced. We’ll confirm for your address.

How high can you build?

As high as the engineering and site allow. Over threshold heights require design, approvals and inspections.

Do you have insurance and licences?

Yes—public liability and relevant NSW/QLD licences for structural landscaping. Numbers shown on your quote.

Do you provide council as-built documents?

If required, we supply engineer certifications, photos and receipts for approvals.

Do you help with boundary/setback questions?

Yes—we follow survey pegs and local rules. A surveyor may be needed for tight boundaries.

Can you build right on the boundary?

Sometimes, with engineering, setbacks and neighbour consent where applicable. We’ll advise case-by-case.

RETAINING WALL DESIGN — MATERIALS, LOOKS & OPTIONS

What materials last the longest?

Concrete sleeper with galvanised steel posts offers excellent longevity and low maintenance in local conditions.

Will timber rot?

Treated timber lasts well when installed properly, but concrete sleepers generally outlast timber and need less maintenance.

Do you use galvanised steel posts?

Yes—hot-dip galvanised H- and C-sections to maximise durability near the coast.

What concrete sleeper strength do you use?

Engineer-specified grade and thickness (commonly 60–80 MPa sleepers) based on wall height and loads.

Can you match existing colours and textures?

We source colour-through sleepers, caps and finishes to blend with your home or existing walls.

What cap/finish options do you have?

Smooth, split-face, charcoal, sandstone look, steel or concrete capping, and feature boulders.

Do you offer terraced walls?

Yes—stepped terraces can reduce load, improve access and look great with planting.

Can you build curves and steps?

Absolutely—curved walls, corners and integrated steps are common with concrete sleeper and boulder designs.

What sleeper length should I choose?

Commonly 2.0–3.0 m sleepers. We pick lengths that minimise cutting and suit the post spacing.

What’s the best wall for coastal Tweed Heads?

Concrete sleeper with gal steel handles salt air and storms well. Boulder looks great in natural gardens.

Can you add lighting or features?

Yes—step lighting, caps, seating edges and garden beds can be integrated.

RETAINING WALL ENGINEERING — STRUCTURE & LOADS

What is a surcharge load?

Extra weight near the wall—like driveways, pools, sheds or fences—that increases design forces. It usually triggers engineering.

Do you build near pools?

Yes—with engineering and attention to waterproofing and surcharge loads. We coordinate with pool builders.

Can a fence go on top of the wall?

Often yes. Post sleeves or core-drilled posts may be engineered into the design to meet wind and safety codes.

What is geogrid and do I need it?

Geogrid reinforces soil behind the wall on taller or loaded designs. The engineer will specify when needed.

How thick are the posts and footings?

Engineer-designed based on height, wind, soil and loads—we don’t cut corners.

DRAINAGE, STORMWATER & EROSION CONTROL

How do you handle drainage?

We install perforated ag pipe to outlet, free-draining backfill, geofabric separation and weep points to stop hydrostatic pressure.

Can you connect to stormwater?

If appropriate and legal, yes—we can discharge to lawful point or daylight. We avoid sending water onto neighbours.

Will the wall help with erosion?

Yes—properly designed retaining and surface drainage can stabilise slopes and direct water safely.

Will heavy rain affect my new wall?

We compact and drain properly, but extreme weather can test any structure. Maintenance keeps it performing.

SITE CONDITIONS, ACCESS & UTILITIES

What if my access is tight?

We’re used to narrow driveways and tricky sites. We use compact excavators and manual handling where needed.

Do you call Dial Before You Dig?

Yes—we arrange utility locates to protect gas, power, NBN and water before excavation.

What soils do you work with?

Sand, clay, fill and weathered rock. Soil type influences footings, drainage and cost.

Do you excavate rock?

Yes. Rock-breaking may require extra time and cost; we’ll flag this during the site visit.

What about tree roots and gardens?

We can work around trees, install root barriers if needed and protect gardens during the build.

Will machinery damage my lawn or driveway?

We take care with mats and boards. Some disturbance is normal; we restore surfaces as agreed.

BUILD PROCESS, TIMELINE & WEATHER

How long does the build take?

Small jobs finish in 1–3 days after approvals. Larger or staged builds take 1–2 weeks.

What’s your typical process?

Site visit → fixed quote → engineering/approvals (if needed) → excavation & posts → drainage & backfill → finish & tidy handover.

What’s included in your price?

Excavation, posts/footings, sleepers, drainage (agg pipe, scoria, geofabric), backfill, compaction and clean-up. We can demolish old walls too.

Do you remove the old failing wall?

Yes. We demolish, cart away and dispose of old timber, blocks or sleepers safely.

What’s the lead time to start?

Usually 1–3 weeks after approvals, depending on weather and current workload.

Do you work in the rain?

Light showers are okay, but heavy rain affects excavation and compaction. We plan rain days into the schedule.

Do you tidy up after the job?

Yes—spoil removed, site raked, and paths swept. We aim to leave it neat as a pin.

REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE & LONGEVITY

Can you fix a failing wall?

We inspect the cause—often drainage or footing issues—then recommend repair or rebuild.

Why did my old wall fail?

Common causes: poor drainage, undersized footings, untreated timber, surcharge loads and age.

How do I maintain my retaining wall?

Keep weep holes clear, maintain surface drains, avoid heavy planting right against the wall and inspect after big storms.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes—workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties on materials. Details in your quote.

INTEGRATION, COORDINATION & DOCUMENTATION

Can you coordinate with other tradies?

We’re happy to coordinate with plumbers, electricians, pool builders and landscapers.

Can you work around tenants or strata rules?

Yes—we coordinate access times, parking and notify neighbours per strata guidelines.

Do you provide council as-built documents?

If required, we supply engineer certifications, photos and receipts for approvals.

LANDSCAPING & ADD-ONS

Do you offer terraced walls?

Yes—stepped terraces can reduce load, improve access and look great with planting.

Can you help with planting after the wall?

We can add basic planting/soil or work with your landscaper for a full garden plan.

Can you add lighting or features?

Yes—step lighting, caps, seating edges and garden beds can be integrated.

BOOK A RETAINING WALL QUOTE — NEXT STEPS

How soon can you visit for a quote?

Usually within 48 hours. We offer after-hours slots if needed.

How do I prepare for the site visit?

Have a rough idea of height/length, preferred material, access notes, and any easements or services.

How do I book?

Click Request a Quote or call us. Text through photos, suburb and wall height/length for a fast start. We’ll lock in a free on-site measure.