Wall building to Tier my Sloped Garden

[Miles]

My back garden is a fairly big slope. When we moved in it was gravelled and whilst it looked alright it wasn't really usable. I now want to redo it so that there are a 2 main tiers with brick supporting walls.

Here's the garden:

[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/milesearl/DSCN2230.jpg[/img]

[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/milesearl/DSCN2232.jpg[/img]

This is a very amateur diagram of what I'm thinking.

[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/milesearl/garden1.jpg[/img]

I've never done any building work so will have to get someone to do the wall - I don't mind doing the shovelling. How long would it take a builder to build these walls if I do the digging and dig the trenches? What sort of price should I expect?

I assume this really is bread and butter stuff for a builder?

How far below ground level would the foundations need to be?

Am I thinking along the right lines or does anyone have any better ideas for what to do? Any thoughts?

Many thanks,

Miles.

[Newt]

Hi Miles,

I love your simple diagarm! Much better then I could have done. My only critique with it is the rise appears to be 5'. You will probably need more then one step for a rise that high. As for your questions:

How long would it take a builder to build these walls if I do the digging and dig the trenches?

It would depend on the type of materials you choose and access to the site. A dry stack wall might take less time, but brick or stone and mortor could also go quickly as well. I can't tell if there is a gate to the yard or if materials would need to come through the house. I would think it would take 2 to 4 days.

What sort of price should I expect?

Prices differ in different regions of the country for labor and materials. What materials you choose will also effect price. Stone might be more expensive then brick, interlocking concrete blocks would go quickly once the footings are done so might be less expensive and broken concrete might be the least expensive since it's recycled. You might even be able to get the broken concrete for free as contractors have to pay for disposal/recycling. I would suggest getting 3 estimates and 3 references from each. Be sure to check the references. Try and have an idea of the type of material you would like to have.

I assume this really is bread and butter stuff for a builder?

Never assume anything. It all depends on the contractor you pick. When I think builder, I think someone who builds houses. You would want someone who does landscape design and contracting.

How far below ground level would the foundations need to be?

That depends on where you live. If you are in Hawaii you don't need to go as deep as if you were in Montana due to frost heave. From your grammer I suspect you are in the UK or Canada. It would be most helpful if you add your location to your profile.

Am I thinking along the right lines or does anyone have any better ideas for what to do?

It might be helpful for you to look at some sites that show how to build these walls to give you an idea of what to expect. The second site is a broken concrete retaining wall. It's sometimes called rip rap.
https://www.roddaandsons.com/retaining.pg3.html
https://www.vincistone.com/how_to_center/how_to_build_stone_walls.htm
https://www.irwinstone.com/howto_stonewall.asp
https://hometime.com/Howto/projects/landgardn/land_6.htm

Newt

[Miles]

Thanks Newt.

I'm in the UK - now added.

Its probably best and easiest if I get some builder / gardeners in to get a definitive and quotes.

I've just stuck some better numbers into the diagram, the middle wall will have to support 2.5 ft of soil, and the top and bottom walls 1.25 ft, the sides will be similar. So not too big.

[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/milesearl/garden2.jpg[/img]

[Newt]

Miles, you are so very welcome! Looking at your new diagram it looks like you may not be needing a top and bottom wall. At least not a top one.

I'd love to know what you find out in the end as to what is needed.

Glad you added your location.

Newt