Retaining Walls
Portland's Premier Retaining Wall Contractor
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Retaining Walls in Portland, OR
Oregon Retaining Walls designs and builds custom retaining walls for homeowners throughout Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, and the surrounding metro. A retaining wall does real work — holding back a slope, stopping erosion, and turning an unusable hillside into level, usable yard. We build ours to last, starting with a properly excavated and compacted gravel base, a level leveling pad, and drainage designed in from the first course, not added as an afterthought.
Oregon's climate is hard on retaining walls. Wet winters, saturated clay soils, and constant hydrostatic pressure push against any wall that wasn't built to drain. That's why every wall we build includes clean gravel backfill, perforated drain pipe at the base, and geogrid soil reinforcement where the height and load call for it. Getting the drainage and reinforcement right is the single biggest reason our walls stand straight for decades while poorly built walls bulge, lean, and fail.
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What Our Clients Say
“Oregon Retaining Walls rebuilt a failing timber wall in our backyard with a beautiful tiered block wall. The crew was professional, on time, and you could tell the drainage and base work was done right. Best contractor we've worked with in Portland.”
Mark R.
Google Review
“We had a natural stone retaining wall and matching steps installed and could not be happier. They took the time to get the design exactly right, and the craftsmanship is top notch. Turned a useless slope into our favorite part of the yard.”
Jennifer L.
Google Review
“Needed a tall engineered block wall to hold back the hillside above our driveway. ORW handled the engineering and permits, built in the drainage and geogrid, and it passed inspection with no issues. Clean work and great communication start to finish.”
David S.
Google Review
“Our new boulder wall and stone steps completely transformed the front of the house and stopped the erosion we'd been fighting for years. The install was fast and clean, and it looks fantastic. Thank you Oregon Retaining Walls!”
Amanda K.
Google Review
Our Work
Retaining Walls Gallery
Scroll through recent← Swipe to see retaining walls projects completed throughout the Portland area.
Retaining Walls
Natural Stone & Boulder Walls
Retaining Walls
Segmental Block Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls
Natural Stone & Boulder Walls
Retaining Walls
Tiered & Terraced Walls
Retaining Walls
Garden & Seating Walls
Retaining Walls
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization
Retaining Walls
Timber & Garden Walls
Retaining Walls
Hillside Reclamation
Retaining Walls
Timber & Garden Walls
Retaining Walls
Hillside Reclamation
Retaining Walls
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization
Retaining Walls
Garden & Seating Walls
Retaining Walls
Tiered & Terraced Walls
Retaining Walls
Natural Stone & Boulder Walls
Retaining Walls
Segmental Block Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls
Natural Stone & Boulder Walls
Retaining Walls
Segmental Block Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls
Tiered & Terraced Walls
Retaining Walls
Garden & Seating Walls
Retaining Walls
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization
Retaining Walls
Hillside Reclamation
Retaining Walls
Timber & Garden Walls
Retaining Walls
Poured Concrete Walls
Retaining Walls
Timber & Garden Walls
Retaining Walls
Poured Concrete Walls
Retaining Walls
Hillside Reclamation
Retaining Walls
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization
Retaining Walls
Garden & Seating Walls
Retaining Walls
Tiered & Terraced Walls
Retaining Walls
Segmental Block Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls
Natural Stone & Boulder Walls
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Dive Into Your Project
See our full approach to each side of the project.
Segmental Block Retaining Walls
Engineered segmental (SRW) block retaining walls — the most popular choice in the Pacific Northwest for strength, built-in drainage, and a wide range of styles and colors.
Learn MoreNatural Stone Retaining Walls
Timeless natural stone retaining walls — dry-stacked or mortared — that bring an organic, high-end look to Portland-area landscapes and last a lifetime.
Learn MoreBoulder & Rock Retaining Walls
Rugged boulder and rock retaining walls that hold slopes with a bold, natural look — ideal for larger grade changes and Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Learn MoreTimber Retaining Walls
Budget-friendly pressure-treated timber retaining walls with a warm, natural look — well suited to lower garden walls and terraces around the Portland area.
Learn MorePoured Concrete Retaining Walls
Strong, structural poured (cast-in-place) concrete retaining walls for tall walls, surcharge loads, and clean modern lines — engineered, reinforced, and built to code.
Learn MoreFrom a low garden or seating wall to a tall tiered system that reclaims a whole slope, we build in the material that fits your property and taste — segmental concrete block, natural stone, boulder and rock, pressure-treated timber, or poured concrete. We handle the design, any required engineering, excavation, drainage, construction, backfill, capping, and cleanup — so all you have to do is enjoy the new usable space and the years of low-maintenance service that come with a wall built right.
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More About Our Retaining Walls Work
A great retaining wall is built from the ground down. In the Portland area, that means the base and the drainage matter more than anything you can see — our region's heavy clay soils and constant winter moisture will push over any wall that can't shed water or was set on a thin, poorly compacted base. Cutting corners on excavation, base, and drainage is the number one reason retaining walls fail here. We take the time to build the foundation and drainage right, so your wall holds its line for decades.
We build retaining walls for homes across Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Happy Valley, and the surrounding metro. Whether you're reclaiming a steep backyard, terracing a garden, stopping erosion, or adding a decorative seating wall, Oregon Retaining Walls brings local knowledge and detail-oriented craftsmanship to every project. Contact us today for your free on-site consultation.
Our Process
How We Work
Free Consultation
We meet you at your property to walk the slope, learn your goals, and talk through wall style, materials, height, and budget.
Design & Engineering
You get a clear design and a detailed written estimate covering material, height, drainage, and reinforcement — engineered where the height or load requires it, so you know exactly what to expect.
Excavation, Base & Drainage
Our crews excavate and compact an engineered gravel base, set a level leveling pad, and build in drainage — perforated drain pipe and clean gravel backfill — the parts that keep an Oregon wall standing for decades.
Build, Backfill & Finish
We set each course level and true, add geogrid reinforcement where needed, backfill and compact in lifts, cap the wall, and clean the site — then walk the finished project with you.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a retaining wall cost in Portland?
How tall can a retaining wall be?
Why do retaining walls fail?
What's the best material for a retaining wall?
Do you fix or replace failing retaining walls?
Service Area
Serving the Greater Portland Area
Oregon Retaining Walls builds custom retaining walls for homeowners across Portland, OR and the surrounding metro — segmental block, natural stone, boulder, timber, and poured concrete. Every wall starts with an engineered, compacted base and real drainage — gravel backfill, perforated drain pipe, and geogrid reinforcement where the height requires it — built for our heavy clay soils and wet winters, in every community we serve from Portland and Beaverton to Lake Oswego and Tigard.
- Portland
- Lake Oswego, OR
- Beaverton
- Tigard, OR
- Tualatin
- Hillsboro, OR
- Milwaukie
- Happy Valley
- Sherwood
- Aloha
- Multnomah County
- Washington County
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From the Blog
Related Reading
Why Retaining Walls Fail — and How We Build Them to Last in Oregon
Most retaining wall failures come down to water and base prep. Here's what makes walls lean, bulge, and crack in Oregon's climate — and how we prevent it.
Choosing a Retaining Wall Material: Block, Stone, Boulder, Timber, or Concrete
Segmental block, natural stone, boulder, timber, or poured concrete? Here's an honest comparison to help Portland-area homeowners pick the right wall.