What will the retaining wall cost? Quote it properly

A retaining wall estimate that knows the rules

A retaining wall's cost in New Zealand swings on the height and length, the system (timber pole-and-rail, timber crib, or concrete block), the depth and size of the post holes and footings, the drainage (novacoil, drainage metal and a geotextile) and the backfill — and whether there is a surcharge above it like a driveway or a building.

Just as important is the rule: under the Building Act Schedule 1, a wall up to 1.5 m high that carries no surcharge is generally exempt from building consent, but a higher wall, or any wall carrying extra load, needs a consent and usually a specific engineering design. Toolie builds the take-off — posts, poles or blocks, rails, drainage and backfill — prices it off a real NZ pricebook, and flags when the wall crosses into consent-and-engineering territory so you can quote the design in.

• Posts/poles, rails or blocks, drainage and backfill in the take-off
• Elevation sketch — draw the wall face and type the real height and length
• Priced off a real NZ pricebook with regional rates
• Flags the 1.5 m consent threshold and surcharge cases
• Drainage, geotextile and backfill not forgotten

More on-site calculators

See all 16 builder calculators, the full feature guide, or how Toolie quotes a job.