I am needing an opinion from those of you with experience with retaining walls!
In my area, we are very FLAT! My experience with retaining walls has been for aesthetics only--I've never dealt with anything that would be load-bearing, hence I've also never build a large retaining wall. Around here, I guess you wouldn't even call them true retaining walls, but rather tall edging?
I received a call from an individual wanting landscape and irrigation information and he also inquired about a retaining wall. He says the wall needs to be 4'-5' high and sounds as if it would be load-bearing. I will find out this information this afternoon when I meet with him.
Not sure how long this wall will need to be either. He says it's near a creek bed and the area needs to be built up. I will definitely have a better feel of this area this afternoon and I will try to post a picture of the area in question.
Is this an endeavor I should partake or leave it for another? Any tips/pointers on retaining wall construction that would be pertinent in my decision to attempt or reject this project?
The next question is how near to the creek bed is it and does this creek rise much in a heavy rain? Water can take out the base of a wall very quickly if there isn't proper protection.
I'd be thinking of having the client hire an engineer to design the wall if the site is difficult, prone to flooding. You can maintain control by hiring the engineer and having the client pay you his fees.
Hire the engineer yourself. If you tell the HO to hire one, he will just find another landscaper to install it with no engineered plan.
Call your block rep and have them do a free preliminary plan. Use that to base your estimate off of. Add in some money to cover the engineering work. Have client sign contract saying price is only good if actual plan does not differ. Higher engineer and then build wall.
If you tell the HO to hire a engineer you will not get the job. They will get scared and find someone else.
I'll post a picture of this project tomorrow, but I think I won't be getting this project whether I bid it or not. Apparently the homeowner hasn't thought about any of the details involved in constructing a retaining wall of this size. And doesn't seem too concerned about proper installation--rather he wants something "cheap".
When I explained the construction method of the retaining wall, which would need to be approx 5' tall and 65' long and the time and costs involved (I already decided before I met with the homeowner I would contact an engineer to help me design the wall) he said he could get some cheap labor to put it up for him.
I asked if he had looked into requirements and if a permit was needed or if he needed to consult with an engineer and he said he hadn't, but didn't plan on it either because the homebuilder didn't tell him he needed to.
He's explaining to me what he wants to accomplish and I'm telling him how we can go about accomplishing it correctly, and he tells me that he wants it done right because he's seen other retaining walls that are falling down, but then he says he'd rather do it the cheap way cause he wants to save money???? Basically he's found a group of 3 guys that will do the job for a bit of nothing so he'll probably get them to install the wall and he'll buy the materials, which he's talking of using old used railroad ties!
The creek he spoke of if basically an old dry creek bed that I don't think much water runs through anymore. It's 50' or so from where he's wanting to construct a retaining wall. And with the way we get rainfall, I don't think it will pose too much of a problem with washout or anything.
This is a newer, upperclass neighborhood and the opportunity to do this type of project would be something I am interested in, but I won't compromise the integrity of my company do to a 1/2 a@@ job because the job is my advertisement! If he calls me and says to do it and do it right, I would look into taking it on since I think it is something that is within the scope of my company's abilities and would look great in my portfolio!
He sounds like he wants the cheap way out. Let someone else do it if he doesn't want to pay to have it done right.
No sense in having your name associated with that type of work.
I'm in the same dilemma on a major drainage solution for a client whose previous landscaper failed to correct ANY drainage when doing $20,000 worth of work.
Now we get to scratch our heads for a proper solution on a flat yard.
The funny thing about this client--he told me he wanted to go as cheaply as possible on this wall so he could save his money to install a nice landscape. I understand his thinking, but I don't think he understands the importance of a properly installed retaining wall. Less on a wall, more on landscape = more money down the drain in the long run, right?
Fine Edge, I understand your dillemma on drainage--that's our biggest issue as we are super flat around here. Seems as if we always have to do some type of grade work or take care of drainage issues because they were failed to be done properly when a homebuilder or another landscaper told the homeowner they would do a final grade and do it properly. Homeowners usually don't like to hear they have to re-do and also pay more money for something they think they received to begin with....
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Ironic if nothing else.....I'm pricing this repair job; an example of nice people who trusted a shoddy contractor, who's a nice guy, but not very skilled. We'll totally redo it with a better stone and different config.
I'm not even going to try listing off everything wrong with this, design wise or aesthetic.
Even small, simple retaining walls need care. People hate paying for things twice.
I am attaching the picture of the property in question. They're wanting the retaining wall at the sidewalk. They want their backyard perfectly level so they can participate in outdoor activities in their backyard. They're also planning on constructing a fence on this property once the wall is installed. My personal thought, if they wanted a level yard they should have purchased in a neighborhood not 2-3 miles away where the land is flat.
For those of you who noticed the tree, their initial thought was they could just fill around the tree . I explained the problems associated with that, so now the "cheap labor" he's going to have install this retaining wall for him (instead of filling around the tree like they told him would be ok) are going to make a square around the tree, so the tree will be ~4' below grade....
If you look at the fence in the far view of the picture, you'll notice the neighbors (on both sides) have not built up their backyards. This guys thoughts are that his backyard will be almost level with the top of the neighbors fence.
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Texas Certified Landscape Professional
From everything you're describing about this client, you may want to take a pass on dealing with them.
It may come to trying to squeeze blood out of a stone re budget and doing a quality job.
Without sounding rude, you should offer them your advice and offer to help them out if the entire system needs to be ripped out in a few years. Also let them know of any potential liability issues from an improperly built wall so close to the municipal easement (asssuming the sidewalk is public property).
When I told him how we would build the wall and how I estimate costs, I think he really began leaning toward his "cheap labor". At this point, unless he calls back, I am not working up a proposal to do this wall.
I believe I stated in an earlier post, that he doesn't want his wall to fall down like others he's seen--so why doesn't he do it right? I deal with so many people that want to half-a@@ someting just to save money--drives me crazy and I usually don't get the job...
That sidewalk is public property--it's actually on their property, but they can't block it and have to allow public access to the sidewalk. I think I may find where the entrance to that walk is in a few weeks--curious to find out what the "cheap" wall looks like.....
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Hi Cochran As your client wants both Retaining wall that w'd not fall but along with cheaper price ,that's not possible.I think you should not go for that project if he wants to get his work done as his way.
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. I explained the problems associated with that, so now the "cheap labor" he's going to have install this retaining wall for him (instead of filling around the tree like they told him would be ok) are going to make a square around the tree, so the tree will be ~4' below grade....
