How Much Does a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $2,000 - $2,400

A railroad tie retaining wall costs $2,200 on average based on an average 80 square foot retaining wall.

How we get this data
wooden retaining wall
Photo: Steve / Adobe Stock
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Updated January 5, 2024
wooden retaining wall
Photo: Steve / Adobe Stock

You’ve probably seen railroad ties before. As the name suggests, this treated timber material is used to support railroad tracks—but it’s often reclaimed and reused for residential retaining walls. A typical 80 square foot railroad tie retaining wall costs $2,000 to $2,400 but price can rise depending on the design and installation.

Tip: Traditional railroad ties are treated with creosote, which might be banned in your local area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote may pose a health risk to humans and wildlife. Instead, you may want to consider modern alternatives made from recycled plastic or composite, which offer a very similar look to reclaimed railroad ties.

See the price range for a railroad tie retaining wall:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$2,000 - $2,400
  • Average
  • $2,200
  • Low end
  • $1,500
  • high end
  • $3,000
LOWHIGH

Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Cost Factors

Compared to the cost of retaining walls made from other materials, railroad ties are relatively affordable. A high-end material like steel or natural stone could cost as much as $100 per square foot, while the average wall made from railroad ties costs $27.50 per square foot. Nonetheless, there are a few factors that impact the total cost of the job.

Tip: Traditional railroad ties are treated with creosote, which might be banned in your local area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote may pose a health risk to humans and wildlife. Instead, you may want to consider modern alternatives made from recycled plastic or composite, which offer a very similar look to reclaimed railroad ties.

Size

Most retaining walls are between 3 and 4 feet in height. The larger your wall, the more it’s going to cost. This is especially true if you want a taller wall that requires reinforcement and a solid foundation. For example, a 2-foot-tall wall will cost $50 per linear foot on the low end, while a 6-foot-tall wall could cost more than $180 per linear foot. Here are some common retaining wall sizes and costs.

Length (Linear Feet) Average Cost RangeAverage Cost
10$500 – $1,800$1,150
15$750 – $2,700$1,730
20$1,000 – $3,600$2,300
25$1,250 – $4,500$2,880
30$1,500 – $5,400$3,450
50$2,500 – $9,000$5,750
100$5,000 – $18,000$11,500
150$7,500 – $27,000$17,250

Slope and Location

If you’re installing a railroad tie retaining wall over sloped land, expect labor costs to increase by 50% or more. Your contractor will have to excavate the area and terrace the slope, which requires a significant amount of extra work. 

Costs will also increase if you build a retaining wall in an area with unstable or rocky soil. Your contractor will have to do extra work to make sure the dirt is compact enough to support the wall.

Design

The cost of your retaining wall depends on the design. A simple, straight retaining wall is typically the most affordable. Elaborate designs—including elements like curves, steps, openings, and flower beds—cost more because they take longer to install. Labor is a large portion of the cost to build a railroad tie retaining wall. Most contractors charge between $50 and $75 per hour, but you may pay more in an area with a higher cost of living. It can take anywhere from six hours to a few work days to build a retaining wall.

Labor

Labor is a large portion of the cost to build a railroad tie retaining wall. Most contractors charge between $50 and $75 per hour, but you may pay more in an area with a higher cost of living. It can take anywhere from six hours to a few work days to build a retaining wall.

8 items that your contractor will handle while building a retaining wall, including landscaping and clean up

Planning 

Before you get a permit, you may need to hire a local structural engineer or local landscape architect to draft plans for your retaining wall. These plans ensure that your wall meets all residential safety codes. Most structural engineers cost $100 to $200 per hour, with homeowners spending $300 to $3,000 per project.

Permits

Depending on the size of your retaining wall, you may need a permit before you can start the installation. Generally, a building permit costs somewhere between $60 and $500—but different areas have different regulations, especially when it comes to treated wood.

Railroad tie is extremely durable because it’s soaked in creosote, which prevents it from rotting as quickly as untreated wood. Unfortunately, according to the EPA, creosote also poses a health risk to humans and wildlife. As a result, some areas have banned or heavily regulated the use of railroad ties. For this reason, it’s hard to find and purchase railroad ties, even at big box stores. Most of the time, contractors get them from dealers since they're reclaimed.

You can always use alternative options, like untreated wood or railroad ties made from recycled plastic, so check with your local municipality before installation.

Site Preparation

Before your contractor can build a retaining wall, they’ll need to prepare the land. This can include a number of different jobs—from excavation to tree removal. Each will increase total costs. Here are some things to consider:

Reinforcements

If your wall is more than 4 feet tall, you’ll need to reinforce it with steel rebar (though local building codes may differ, especially if you live in an area prone to earthquakes). Reinforcements generally cost $2.50 to $5 per square foot.

Foundation

If your railroad tie retaining wall is more than 4 feet tall, you’ll also need to install footings to create a sturdy foundation. Expect to spend an additional $18 to $55 per linear foot. Footings are typically made from concrete and rest below the ground, where they offer support while remaining out of sight. 

Drainage

For most homeowners, landscape drainage costs between $2,100 and $6,500, though you can install a basic system for a little as $500. Many homeowners use retaining walls to prevent erosion in their yard. In this case, drainage is a worthwhile addition that also helps prevent pooling and flooding. 

Pro Tip
Any time water pools and collects you risk drowning your plants or, even worse, fungus growth. Fungus loves to grow in wet areas. If it doesn’t dry it can kill your plants, grass, and the surrounding yard.
Christian Lazo portrait
Christian Lazo
Owner, Lazo Landscaping & Contracting

Backfill

When your contractor builds your retaining wall, they may need to backfill any area they’ve excavated. Depending on your wall’s design, this could add a significant cost. Expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $30 per cubic yard on the cost of fill dirt in addition to your contractor’s hourly labor rate.

Cost to Install a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Yourself

Retaining wall installation materials
Photo: Newman / Adobe Stock

Building a retaining wall is no simple DIY. This challenging project requires construction knowledge, though experienced homeowners can tackle a small wall and save on labor costs. Larger walls typically require permits, and you may need a pro to submit the plans. In this case, DIY isn’t an option.

Even so, construction mistakes can lead to costly fixes. You may not end up saving money if your DIY retaining wall collapses or causes flooding and erosion on your property. It can also be pretty dangerous. Instead, it’s best to hire a retaining wall builder near you.

Cost of Common Retaining Wall Add-Ons

Many homeowners don’t just build a retaining wall—they also add landscaping features. This makes the wall look like an intentional part of your landscape design, rather than a way to create a usable, level area in your yard. Consider adding the following to your budget:

3 Ways to Save on Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Costs

Retaining walls aren’t typically an inexpensive project. Most homeowners spend between $1,150 and $17,250 on retaining walls made of railroad ties. That said, there are some ways you can save.

1. Tackle the Smaller Stuff

While we’d strongly suggest hiring a professional to build your wall, you can save money by tackling some of the smaller projects involved in this job. If you’ve got a green thumb, you can re-install landscaping around your retaining wall without the help of a pro. Mulching flower beds, installing shrubbery, and planting grass seed does the trick.

2. Choose a Simple Design

Since intricate designs take longer to build, you can save money by keeping things simple. Choose a straight retaining wall (rather than curved) and limit the number of stairs or openings.

3. Keep It Under Four Feet

Once your retaining wall is taller than 4 feet, it will need more structural support. This comes with additional costs, like laying down concrete footings and reinforcing the wall with steel rebar. You can shave money off your budget by opting for a shorter wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vinyl retaining walls are generally the least-expensive type of retaining wall, at $10 to $15 per square foot. This budget-friendly material is lightweight and durable, but it doesn’t have many decorative options. Untreated timber and railroad ties are the next step up, and start at $15 to $25 per square foot, respectively. High-end steel or natural stone tend to be the least wallet-friendly, but they’re extremely durable and come with a high-end look.

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Learn more about our contributor
Mariel Loveland
Written by Mariel Loveland
Contributing Writer
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.
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