Retaining wall cost in Asheville, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,350 – $12,400
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $31.50 – $60
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #224
- 1 = most expensive
Asheville homeowners pay roughly $6,350 to $12,400 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $31.50 to $60 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Asheville is 9% lower. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $23.23 an hour in the Asheville area, 22% below the US median of $29.87.
Estimate your retaining wall cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Asheville, NC, standard level
$8,150 to $10,600
About $40 to $51.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,150 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $320 |
| Total | $8,150 | $10,600 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Asheville, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,550 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,000 | $4,450 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $240 | $430 | 3% |
| Total | $6,350 | $9,350 | $12,400 | 100% |
Where the Asheville price comes from
Labor is 43% of the midpoint bill here, against 46% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is brickmasons and blockmasons (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Asheville the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Asheville metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,100, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.5) and land at $50 to $430.
Asheville against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Kingsport is the priciest of the group at $9,750. Spartanburg is the cheapest at $9,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NCthis page | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | |
| Johnson City, TN45 miles | $6,650 – $12,800 | $9,700 | +4% |
| Hickory, NC65 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| Greenville, SC65 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Kingsport, TN70 miles | $6,700 – $12,800 | $9,750 | +4% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | level |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Asheville comes in at #224 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $13,500; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $8,850 (midpoints, 200 sq ft of wall face). Statewide, Asheville is 0% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $6,450 – $12,600 | $9,500 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Asheville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Asheville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $6,650 – $12,700 | $9,700 | +3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +12% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $7,100 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +10% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $6,350 – $12,200 | $9,300 | −1% |
When to schedule retaining wall in Asheville
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Asheville (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Asheville (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 77 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Asheville gets about 41 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, July and September (4.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.6 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 16 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 29 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 32 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 69 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 54 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 58 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 37 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 51 | 32 | 3.3 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Asheville is 0.85 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.23 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.64 and $27.27 an hour. About 30 work in the metro. That is 1.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.85 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.46 and $23.75 an hour. About 1,340 work in the metro. That is 74.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.06 an hour, which is 20% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.81 and $24.89 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 28.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.27 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $320. At the 25th percentile ($21.64) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 3.4% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 180,620 jobs in the Asheville area. That makes it the 127th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $21.64 | $23.23 | $27.27 | $29.87 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.46 | $22.85 | $23.75 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $21.81 | $23.06 | $24.89 | $28.78 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Asheville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Asheville wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$6,350 to $8,750
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,150 to $10,600
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,950 to $12,400
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,150 – $5,450 | $5,150 – $6,400 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,550 – $3,600 | $3,350 – $4,400 | $4,150 – $5,200 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,050 – $7,050 | $6,550 – $8,550 | $8,050 – $10,000 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,600 – $10,500 | $9,750 – $12,600 | $11,900 – $14,800 |
What nearby projects cost in Asheville
Because every project leans on different trades, Asheville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −3% and concrete driveway −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,150 | −5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,200 | −11% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,500 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,500 – $104,500 | −7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Asheville bid
Permit
Permits cost $50-$450 depending on location and wall size.
Height
Walls over 4 feet need engineering, deeper excavation and more skilled labor; many cities require permits over 3-4 feet (HomeGuide).
Material
Block, poured concrete and natural stone are priced differently; concrete and stone walls run higher than the segmental block default.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $8,150 to $10,600 for Asheville, NC is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Asheville, NC line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Retaining wall in Asheville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Asheville?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,350 to $12,400 in the Asheville area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,150 to $10,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of wall face and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of wall face for retaining wall in Asheville?
About $31.50 to $60 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Asheville or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,700, which is 4% more than Asheville ($9,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Asheville?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,000 out of $9,350. Materials are 55% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Asheville?
$5,050 to $10,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Asheville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $430 for fees in the Asheville area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Asheville expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Asheville is 0% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($9,350 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Asheville?
The BLS median is $23.23 an hour in the Asheville area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.64 to $27.27.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Asheville?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,350 to $8,750 and premium work $9,950 to $12,400. Basic means: short block wall, easy access. Premium means: tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access.
+When is the best time to build a retaining wall in Asheville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. October and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Retaining wall near Asheville
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 40% of the low installed price and 60% of the high one, since HomeGuide says labor is 40-60% of the total project cost.