Retaining Wall Contracting Services: Installation & Repair

Custom retaining walls not only provide essential structural support but also enhance your property’s aesthetics, complementing your home and personal style. While traditionally used to stabilize land for building homes and structures, retaining walls have become a key element in modern landscaping designs.

With a wide range of textures, colors, patterns, and styles available, our team ensures your retaining wall installation meets both your functional and design needs. At Ciriello Contracting, LLC, we offer free estimates and are happy to discuss your options. We proudly serve Pittsburgh, PA, and surrounding areas, delivering high-quality retaining wall solutions for every project.

Functional & Stylish Retaining Walls for Your Property

Retaining walls do more than enhance the look of your landscaping—they add functional space to your yard and play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion. These walls provide flood control by design, helping protect your property from water-related damage. Installing a retaining wall can save you from costly foundation repairs and other water damage issues in the future.

Ready to get started? We offer free estimates! Contact us today — we look forward to learning about your project and helping you build retaining walls that will not only strengthen your property but also boost its curb appeal!

Retaining Wall Overview

We offer a variety of retaining wall solutions to meet both functional and aesthetic needs. Whether you’re looking for modern concrete walls or rustic stone designs, our experts ensure every installation is built to last. Here’s a look at our popular options:

Concrete Retaining Walls

Durable and low-maintenance, perfect for long-lasting structural support.

Versa-Lok Retaining Walls

Modular systems offering flexibility in design and excellent strength.

Railroad Tie Retaining Walls

Rustic and cost-effective, ideal for creating a natural look.

Stone Retaining Walls

Timeless and elegant, blending seamlessly with outdoor landscapes.

Custom Retaining Wall Project

Have a custom design in mind? We can bring it to life—contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions – Retaining Wall Contracting Services

Do I need a permit to build or replace a retaining wall in Pittsburgh?

Yes, if the wall is over 4 ft high or supports a driveway, building load, or hillside surcharge, the City of Pittsburgh requires a Residential Building or DOMI Right-of-Way permit. Walls 4 ft or lower without a surcharge are exempt, but we confirm the code on every project and submit all paperwork for you.

How long does a typical residential retaining-wall installation take?

Most backyard walls up to 4 ft finish in 3–7 working days: one day for excavation and base prep, two for block or stone stacking, one for drainage back-fill, and a final day for caps and cleanup. Taller or custom-curved walls, winter conditions, or tight urban access can stretch the schedule to about two weeks.

What materials do you offer, and how do I choose the best retaining-wall system?

We install four primary options:

Concrete: cast-in-place strength, sleek modern look.
Versa-Lok® block: engineered modular system with design flexibility.
Natural stone: timeless appearance that complements historic Pittsburgh architecture.
Railroad ties: budget-friendly with rustic charm.

During your free on-site consultation we’ll match height, soil load, budget, and aesthetics to the right system.

How much does a retaining wall cost around Pittsburgh?

Typical starting ranges are about $150–$225 per linear foot (4 ft high) for Versa-Lok or block. $200–$300 + per linear foot for natural stone or reinforced concrete. Final pricing depends on wall height, soil conditions, drainage needs, and site access. We supply an itemized estimate after inspecting your property.

Are you licensed, insured, and do you provide a warranty?

Yes. Ciriello Contracting operates under Pennsylvania Contractor #PA166966 and carries full liability and workers-comp coverage. All retaining-wall projects include a written workmanship warranty and transferable manufacturer block warranty where applicable.

What warning signs tell me my retaining wall needs repair or replacement?

Watch for bulging or leaning sections, widening horizontal cracks, water seeping through joints after rain, sunk or washed-out soil at the base, and loose or displaced blocks. These issues signal structural stress from Pittsburgh’s freeze–thaw cycles or poor drainage.

See What Our Customers Are Saying

"Mr. Ciriello and his associates were contacted/ contracted by my wife to come and replace an aging out and cracking set of stairs attached to our front porch.
The professional way that they went about business, all while having multiple contracts was quite refreshing. Mr. Ciriello and company are the top of our list if we ever require more concrete or contract work done."
James Linn

"To be honest I’ve been doing my business for 25 years….. this is one of the rarest experiences in my years! Why? Because they were one the most Professional, Honest, High Quality and all pleasures to deal with!!!! They should actually get like 12 stars out of 5!"
M. Milmaster

"Ciriello Contracting replaced and extended my driveway. Anthony explained the project, answered all my questions and delivered an estimate in-line with other companies.
Their team, every person, was on-time, polite, trust-worthy and professional. I couldn't ask for a better experience. The work was high-quality. The team was even better.
I highly recommend them! In fact, my neighbor, who saw the work up-close, will be also be replacing his driveway with them. I will definitely call Anthony again on future projects."
K. J.

"I was looking for someone to tear down and rebuild my leaning retaining wall because I wanted it to match my other retaining walls. Ciriello Contracting was the ONLY one out of the numerous contractors that responded to my quote request that would take on the job. Everyone else wanted to replace it with versa-lock. The biggest plus is they did what I wanted and did not try to talk me into something else that would have made their job easier. They did an excellent job and I would highly recommend them."
Jim Sterling

"Look no further, these guys are the best. They replaced our deteriorating patio with exposed aggregate and added a border of pavers, all for a very reasonable price. They were professional, accommodating, pleasant to have around, punctual, and careful with their equipment. I would recommend this company without any hesitation. They did an exceptional job!"
Nan Newell

"We used Ciriello Contracting for a cement slab we had installed for underneath our shed. The slab was on a hill and in a difficult location so we were searching for the best. And boy did we find it!! We would absolutely use them for any cement work in the future and would recommend them to everyone who is looking! Tony came out that day to give us an estimate. His company is so professional and they are easy to get a hold of. Our cement slab was finished earlier than we had anticipated. The crew worked very hard and they were all super professional! When the job was finished, Tony called to follow up on how the shed looked on the slab! If I could give them more than 5 stars I would! Best around the Pittsburgh area"
Carly Caraballo

"Tony and the crew are an incredible group of masons. I've hired Tony for two separate jobs, one to put in a huge set of concrete steps and the other to pour a patio pad. Both project look amazing and were bid competitively. I would recommend the Ciriello crew for and concrete job."
Craig Standley

"These guys are fantastic and you can tell they care about their work. The best part is, they do what they say they are going to do, which is extremely hard to find these days. Highly recommend."
Larry Wedding

"Family owned and operated. Quality work and honesty."
Ali Wedding