Right On Landscaping

Professional Retaining Wall Construction in the Waterloo Region

Engineered Stone Walls for Erosion Control, Sloped Yards, and Landscape Design.

  • Custom Armor Stone & Interlock
  • Proper Drainage & Excavation
  • Municipal Permit Assistance
  • WSIB Covered & Fully Insured
retaining wall 1

5-Star Rated
Local Landscapers

Why Your Property Needs a Structural Retaining Wall

A retaining wall isn’t just a decorative feature; it’s a vital structural safeguard for your landscape. Homeowners across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge often face uneven terrain and heavy seasonal rains that threaten their property’s stability.

Reason 1

Preventing Soil Erosion & Managing Drainage

Without proper support, sloped yards succumb to soil runoff during heavy rain or spring thaws. Our retaining walls are engineered with integrated drainage systems—including weeping tiles and clear stone backfill—to safely divert water away from your home’s foundation.

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reason 2

Maximizing Usable Backyard Space on Sloped Lots

A steep, unusable hill can be transformed into a flat, functional outdoor living area. By cutting into the slope and holding the earth back, we create level terraces perfect for interlock patios, fresh sod, or new garden beds.

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reason 3

Elevating Curb Appeal and Property Value

Beyond structural integrity, a professionally built armor stone or modular block wall adds striking architectural beauty to your home. It creates clean lines, defines property boundaries, and significantly boosts your overall resale value.

Get A Retaining Wall Estimate Instantly

Stop guessing how much a structural retaining wall will cost. Use our interactive calculator below. Simply input your estimated wall height and linear footage to generate an immediate pricing range covering excavation, drainage, and installation.

Under 2 ft
(Decorative)
2 ft to 4 ft
(Standard)
Over 4 ft
(Permit Req.)
Natural Armor Stone Natural Armor Stone
Interlocking Concrete Block Interlocking Block
Open Access
(Easy for Machines)
Tight Access
(Hand Labor / Narrow)
Estimated Investment
$0 - $0
This is a baseline estimate for the Waterloo Region. Every property is unique. Contact our KW team today to look at your site for free and lock in a firm quote.
Reviews

Hear From Our Local Clients


lauren crosby profile picture
lauren crosby
9 months ago
After contacting the company Evan/Right On Landscaping quickly made contact with me and we arranged a time for a visit/quote to be created. I asked for 2 options and both were given. After choosing the best fit for me and m budget, the lawn repair dates were quickly arranged with minor adjustments needing to be made due to Mother Nature's impact. Communications were quick and clear, and everything went very smoothly and exceeded my expectations. I won't know if the repair job really "takes" most likely until next spring when the lawn shows its "health" but I am very satisfied with the job that was done in October 2025.
Andrew L profile picture
Andrew L
1 year ago
We hired Evan to fix our entire property and could not be happier with the results!
I appreciate the hard work to turn out sandlot into an up and coming golf course!
Breanne Y profile picture
Breanne Y
1 year ago
Evan and Right on Landscaping were wonderful. He was quick to give a quote and fast to install and did an amazing job.
Erin Cooper profile picture
Erin Cooper
1 year ago
We were very happy with the service from Evan and his crew. He was great with communication throughout the process, showed up on time and got our old sod removed, ground levelled nicely and great looking sod placed all in one day. Would absolutely recommend his service!
Axel Warren profile picture
Axel Warren
1 year ago
Great Experience working with Evan. Helped me find the most affordable option for my driveway and he would send regular updates on the work being done.
B W profile picture
B W
1 year ago
I contacted Evan and he arrived quickly to quote replacing our sod on our front lawn and back garden, about 2,800 square feet. We have had it done a couple of times (by other companies) in the last 25 years and Evan’s professionalism and expertise were outstanding. He levelled our lawn beautifully, used high quality top soil and we have two amazing lawns to show for it. He asked questions along the way as to exactly what we wanted, were we happy with the levelling, edging, etc. Our neighbours were so impressed he’s doing three of their lawns as a result. These photos were taken today, exactly 7 days ago.
Lauren Davison profile picture
Lauren Davison
1 year ago
Evan and Julian did an amazing job with our stair system, retaining wall and stone around the driveway. They were punctual, Evan’s communication was great and he offered a fantastic price. I’d highly recommend them to anyone looking for landscaping work.
Candace Caskey profile picture
Candace Caskey
2 years ago
Evan did an Amazing job with our front and back yard. New sod in front and back, new mulch, garden edging, removed a very invasive bush that was popping up all over through the root system. Planted some new bushes I picked out, graded the whole area and built a stunning stone patio to solve our issue of having a very small deck prior. This was all done under the price that was quoted to us to just rip out and redo a bigger wooden deck. We couldn't be happier!
12/10 would recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zack Ahsan profile picture
Zack Ahsan
4 years ago
Smoothest renovanation I've done. Right On replaced the fence in the back and laid sod on the whole property. Very pleased with the results.
Evan coordinated everything with the neighbors who were involved with the fence. The crew are friendly and reliable
They are definitely skilled professionals. They quickly and efficiently completed the project.
I would highly recommend them. I've included some photos of the fresh sod, and new fence.

Our Built-to-Last Installation Process

A retaining wall is only as strong as what’s buried underneath it. We don’t cut corners. Our Kitchener landscaping crews follow strict engineering standards to ensure your wall never leans, bows, or collapses under the harsh Ontario freeze-thaw cycles.

Step 1

1. Preparation

The location of the retaining wall should be marked out first. Utilities, phone company, and cable TV providers should then be contacted to locate any buried cables and/or services.

Step 2

2. Base

The depth of excavation depends on soil type. Clay soil requires deeper excavation; sandy soil requires less. On average 6″ – 12″ depth.

Step 3

3. Leveling

The excavated area is filled with a gravel base and compacted
using a gas-powered plate compactor in layers 2″ – 3″ thick. Insuring proper hight of retaining wall.

Step 4

4. Wall Construction

Starting with the base row and making sure everything is perfectly leveled. Then staggering and also stepping back as each row is in place.

Step 5

5. Backfilling

Gravel backfill should be added after every 2 rows of block, using clear gravel. Filter fabric is used to separate the existing soils from the clear gravel.
This will improve the durability of the wall by keeping the area behind the wall frost-free.

Step 6

6. Drainage Pipe

Installation of Perforated O-pipe along the first row of your wall. This will ensure water flows away from behind the retaining wall.

Step 7

7. Wall Fabric

Installation of Retaining wall fabric encasing your clear stone to keep out the potential for mud and accumulation of ice formation in the future.

Step 8

8. Finish

The final row of blocks or coping should be glued with a concrete adhesive; in some cases this might be a special cap.
After the glue has set (approx. 4 – 8 hours), you may backfill with soil, put in sod or install plants to complete your installation.

Right on landscaping

Premium Retaining Wall Materials We Install

Choosing the right material depends on the severity of your slope, your home’s aesthetic, and your budget. We source the highest quality stone in Ontario to ensure your Kitchener or Waterloo property looks stunning and stands strong against freeze-thaw cycles.

Armor Stone Retaining Walls

Cut from massive, natural limestone, armor stone offers unmatched structural weight and rustic elegance. It is the ultimate heavy-duty choice for holding back large hillsides and creating striking, natural-looking landscape borders.

Modular Interlock Block Walls

Highly engineered for precision, interlock blocks provide a clean, modern aesthetic. Because they feature interlocking lips and pins, they are incredibly versatile for creating curved walls, integrated seating, and structured terracing.

Natural Stone Garden Walls

Using smaller, hand-stacked flagstone or ledgestone, these walls are perfect for decorative tiers, raised planter beds, and framing outdoor staircases. They add incredible texture and a custom, artisan touch to your softscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retaining Walls

Yes, in most Ontario municipalities (including Kitchener and Waterloo), a building permit is required if the retaining wall exceeds 1 meter (approx. 3.3 feet) in height or is near a property line. We handle the engineering drawings and permit applications to ensure full structural compliance.

A professionally engineered retaining wall built with armor stone or high-quality interlock blocks can last 50 to 100 years. The longevity depends entirely on proper base excavation, foundation compaction, and the installation of effective drainage systems like weeping tiles to prevent hydrostatic pressure.

Retaining walls typically fail due to poor drainage or inadequate foundation compaction. When water cannot escape from behind the wall, hydrostatic pressure builds up and pushes the stones forward. Frost heave during harsh Ontario winters can also destabilize walls that aren’t trenched below the frost line.

Absolutely. Integrating outdoor staircases into a retaining wall is a fantastic way to navigate a sloped yard safely. We can build custom natural stone steps or use matching modular interlock blocks that seamlessly blend into the wall’s design, creating a beautiful and functional terraced landscape.

Ready to Build Your Custom Retaining Wall?


Secure your sloped yard and elevate your curb appeal. Contact the Waterloo Region’s premier hardscaping experts for a free, no-obligation estimate. Whether you need a massive armor stone wall for erosion control or a decorative interlock garden tier, our Kitchener-based crews are ready to deliver.

  • WSIB Fully Insured
  • Engineered to Last
  • Free On-Site Consultations

Get A Retaining Wall Quote

We will respond within 1 hour.