Strong walls that hold their ground
Timber, sleeper and block retaining walls for sloping Waikato sections, driveways and gardens, engineered and drained to last.
Woodney Contracting builds retaining walls across Hamilton and the greater Waikato. A good retaining wall does more than hold back soil, it creates usable space, protects your section and looks the part. We build timber, sleeper and block walls, engineered and drained properly so they hold their ground for the long haul.
Retaining wall types
The right wall depends on the load, the height and the look you're after. We'll help you choose.
Timber pole walls
Strong, cost-effective treated timber pole walls for gardens and slopes.
Sleeper retaining walls
Clean, modern sleeper walls for landscaping and level changes.
Block & concrete walls
Durable block and concrete crib systems for larger or load-bearing walls.
Load-bearing walls
Engineered walls to retain driveways and heavier loads, to consent.
Garden & terracing
Lower garden walls and terracing to shape and use a sloping section.
Drainage & groundwork
Proper drainage and groundwork built in behind every wall.
Engineered, drained, done right
Retaining walls fail when they're built without proper drainage or engineering. We do it properly, the right footings, the right drainage, and consent and engineering where it's needed, so your wall stays put.
- Timber, sleeper and block systems
- Proper drainage built in behind the wall
- Engineering and consent advice where required
- Neat groundwork and a tidy finish
What affects the cost of a retaining wall
Walls vary a lot, so we quote after seeing the slope. You get a clear quote before work starts.
Height & length
Taller and longer walls need more material, deeper posts and more drainage.
Load above the wall
A driveway, vehicles or a building above a wall changes the design and may need consent.
Materials
Timber pole, sleeper and block walls price and last differently.
Ground conditions
Soft, wet or rocky ground affects footings and how posts go in.
Drainage
Free-draining backfill, pipe and an outlet are part of a wall that lasts.
Access & excavation
How a machine reaches the site, and how much has to be dug out or carted away.
Before you decide, read whether you need council consent for a retaining wall and why retaining walls fail.
From slope to solid wall
Site assessment
We assess the slope, load, ground and drainage, and advise on consent.
Design & quote
We recommend the right wall and give you a clear quote.
Build & drain
We build the wall with proper footings and drainage behind it.
Finished & tidy
Ground reinstated, site tidied, and a wall that holds its ground.
Retaining walls across the greater Waikato
Hamilton / Cambridge / Te Awamutu / Morrinsville / Ngāruawāhia / Huntly / Raglan / Matamata / Tamahere / Ōhaupō / Gordonton / and the surrounding rural districts.
Retaining wall questions
01What retaining walls do you build?
We build timber pole and sleeper retaining walls, and work with block and concrete systems, for gardens, driveways, sloping sections and landscaping across the Waikato.
02Do I need council consent for a retaining wall?
Not always. A building consent is generally not needed for a retaining wall that holds back no more than 1.5 metres of ground and carries no surcharge, such as a driveway, vehicles or a building. Taller walls, or walls carrying extra load, need consent. Even exempt walls must meet the Building Code, and council rules can still apply, so check with the council. See Building Performance (MBIE) and our guide: do you need consent for a retaining wall in Hamilton.
03How much does a retaining wall cost?
It depends on the height, length, materials, ground conditions and drainage. We visit first, then give you a clear quote for your wall before work starts.
04What materials do you use?
We commonly build with treated timber poles and sleepers, and can also work with concrete crib and block systems, matched to your site and budget.
05How high can a retaining wall be?
It depends on the design, engineering and consent. Lower garden walls are more straightforward, while walls over 1.5 metres or carrying extra load need building consent and engineering. We'll talk through the right approach for your site.
06Do you handle drainage behind the wall?
Yes. Proper drainage is essential to a retaining wall that lasts. We build in the right drainage so water doesn't build up and undermine the wall. Why retaining walls fail explains the most common problems.
07Do you do the digging too?
Yes. We can excavate the bank, set posts and trench for drainage with an operated machine. See excavation and earthworks and what a mini excavator can do.
08What should I send for a quote?
The address, photos of the slope from a few angles, a rough height and length, and a note of anything above the wall such as a driveway, building or fence.
Got a slope to retain?
Turn a bank or slope into usable, protected space. Get a free on-site quote for your retaining wall.