Retaining wall cost in Lynchburg, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,250 – $12,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $31 – $59.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #243
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Lynchburg, VA usually costs $6,250 to $12,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $31 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $990 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $25.13 an hour in the Lynchburg area, 16% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Lynchburg, VA, standard level
$8,050 to $10,500
About $39.50 to $51 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,750 | $4,100 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $8,050 | $10,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Lynchburg, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,550 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,500 | $3,900 | $4,350 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $220 | $400 | 2% |
| Total | $6,250 | $9,250 | $12,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Lynchburg number
The wage side of the estimate leans on brickmasons and blockmasons, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $25.13 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lynchburg is 0.83 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 42% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lynchburg is at 96.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,150 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.4: $45 to $400.
Is Lynchburg cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Lynchburg. Roanoke is the lowest at about $9,100 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VAthis page | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | |
| Roanoke, VA40 miles | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −2% |
| Charlottesville, VA55 miles | $6,600 – $12,700 | $9,650 | +4% |
| Blacksburg, VA75 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Harrisonburg, VA80 miles | $6,450 – $12,600 | $9,500 | +3% |
| Burlington, NC90 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,000 | $9,850 | +6% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lynchburg ranks #243 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lynchburg is 6% below the Virginia figure.
Elsewhere in Virginia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $6,200 – $12,300 | $9,250 | level |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −2% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $6,600 – $12,700 | $9,650 | +4% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $6,450 – $12,500 | $9,500 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lynchburg against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $7,900 – $14,500 | $11,200 | +21% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $7,950 – $14,800 | $11,400 | +23% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | +25% |
What nearby projects cost in Lynchburg
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lynchburg wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−8%) and concrete driveway lowest (−20%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −20% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −8% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,650 – $9,100 | −9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,400 – $101,500 | −10% |
Lynchburg: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lynchburg. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face to 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face).
Basic
$6,250 to $8,650
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,050 to $10,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,850 to $12,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,150 – $4,400 | $4,100 – $5,400 | $5,050 – $6,350 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,550 – $3,600 | $3,300 – $4,350 | $4,100 – $5,150 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,000 – $6,950 | $6,500 – $8,450 | $7,950 – $9,900 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,500 – $10,400 | $9,650 – $12,500 | $11,800 – $14,700 |
Lynchburg weather and the retaining wall calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lynchburg #2 (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Lynchburg are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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 119 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Lynchburg gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.2 inches in May). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 20 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46 | 25 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 50 | 26 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 58 | 33 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 44 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 33 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 28 | 3.8 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Lynchburg
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Lynchburg the blend is 0.83.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $25.13 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $23.40 and $27.63 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 11.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $18.46 an hour, which is 19% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.48 and $21.81 an hour. BLS counts 600 of them working in the area, 61.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.09 an hour, 16% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $28.17 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 23.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 2.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lynchburg has 97,190 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 206th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $23.40 | $25.13 | $27.63 | $29.87 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.48 | $18.46 | $21.81 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $21.90 | $24.09 | $28.17 | $28.78 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Lynchburg
Rebuilding
Replacing an old wall adds $15-$30 per linear foot for demolition plus disposal.
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).
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Retaining wall in Lynchburg: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Lynchburg?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,250 to $12,300 in the Lynchburg area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,050 to $10,500. 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 Lynchburg?
About $31 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Lynchburg or Roanoke?
Roanoke is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,100, which is 2% less than Lynchburg ($9,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lynchburg?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $3,900 out of $9,250. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Lynchburg?
$5,000 to $9,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Lynchburg?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $400 for fees in the Lynchburg area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lynchburg expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Virginia?
Lynchburg is 6% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($9,850 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Lynchburg?
The BLS median is $25.13 an hour in the Lynchburg area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.40 to $27.63.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Lynchburg?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,250 to $8,650 and premium work $9,850 to $12,300. 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 Lynchburg?
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 Lynchburg
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.