Retaining wall cost in Roanoke, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,100 – $12,100
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $30.50 – $58.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #274
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Roanoke, plan on $6,100 to $12,100 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $30.50 to $58.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 11% lower than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $23.30 an hour in the Roanoke area, 22% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Roanoke, VA, standard level
$7,900 to $10,300
About $38.50 to $50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,600 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $7,900 | $10,300 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Roanoke, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,550 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $3,750 | $4,150 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 3% |
| Total | $6,100 | $9,100 | $12,100 | 100% |
Where the Roanoke price comes from
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 $23.30 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Roanoke is 0.80 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 41% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Roanoke metro is 96.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,150, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.6) and land at $45 to $420.
Why two Roanoke quotes can differ
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).
Planning more than one job in Roanoke?
Because every project leans on different trades, Roanoke's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −7% and paver patio −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | −12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,850 | −11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $31,900 – $99,700 | −12% |
How Roanoke compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 200 sq ft of wall face range from $9,100 to $9,650 across Roanoke and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VAthis page | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | |
| Blacksburg, VA35 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +4% |
| Lynchburg, VA40 miles | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | +2% |
| Winston, NC85 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Charlottesville, VA85 miles | $6,600 – $12,700 | $9,650 | +6% |
| Greensboro, NC90 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | +1% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,000 | $9,850 | +8% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +13% |
Across 300 US metros, Roanoke comes in at #274 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, Roanoke is 7% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $6,200 – $12,300 | $9,250 | +2% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +4% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $6,600 – $12,700 | $9,650 | +6% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | +2% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +4% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $6,450 – $12,500 | $9,500 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Roanoke's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Roanoke against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +2% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $6,300 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +3% |
| Brownsville, TX | 157,450 jobs | $6,100 – $11,900 | $9,000 | −1% |
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $6,250 – $12,200 | $9,200 | +1% |
Roanoke labor market for retaining wall
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 Roanoke is 0.80 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.30 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $18.61 and $25.57 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 4.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $18.34 an hour, 19% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.27 and $21.31 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 78.6 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 $23.56 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.03 and $27.91 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 31.2 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 ($25.57 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($18.61) it shrinks by about $370. The total moves by 2.0% or 4.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 153,980 jobs in the Roanoke area. That makes it the 153rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $18.61 | $23.30 | $25.57 | $29.87 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.27 | $18.34 | $21.31 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.03 | $23.56 | $27.91 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Climate in Roanoke: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Roanoke Rgnl Ap (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 Roanoke (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.
Roanoke gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 15 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 30 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 | 47 | 29 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 51 | 31 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 55 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 63 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 67 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 66 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 48 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 38 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 50 | 32 | 3.1 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Roanoke
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Roanoke 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
$6,100 to $8,500
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$7,900 to $10,300
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,700 to $12,100
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,050 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,300 | $5,000 – $6,250 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,450 – $3,500 | $3,250 – $4,300 | $4,050 – $5,100 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $4,900 – $6,850 | $6,350 – $8,300 | $7,800 – $9,750 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,300 – $10,200 | $9,450 – $12,300 | $11,600 – $14,400 |
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 $7,900 to $10,300 for Roanoke, VA is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Roanoke, VA, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Roanoke, VA 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 Roanoke: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Roanoke?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,100 to $12,100 in the Roanoke area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,900 to $10,300. 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 Roanoke?
About $30.50 to $58.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $420 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Roanoke or Blacksburg?
Blacksburg is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,450, which is 4% more than Roanoke ($9,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Roanoke?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $3,750 out of $9,100. Materials are 56% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Roanoke?
$4,900 to $9,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Roanoke?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $420 for fees in the Roanoke area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Roanoke expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Virginia?
Roanoke is 7% 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 Roanoke?
The BLS median is $23.30 an hour in the Roanoke area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.61 to $25.57.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Roanoke?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,100 to $8,500 and premium work $9,700 to $12,100. 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 Roanoke?
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 Roanoke
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.