With four generations and 100+ years of experience, we build hillside retaining walls engineered for slopes, managing soil, drainage, and elevation with precision and durability.
With more than 4,300 projects completed, we showcase a selection of our retaining wall work, built with the expertise to perform on both standard properties and complex hillside conditions.
Each wall is built with care, precision, and durability in mind, serving homeowners across Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, Bel Air, Silver Lake, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding hillside areas.
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“They restored our historic building better than we imagined – true craftsmen!”
Tell us about your retaining wall project, we’ll provide a detailed quote at no cost or obligation.
We make it simple to start. Schedule a quick virtual consultation with our team, and you’ll receive a personalized estimate tailored to your property, completely free of charge.
When looking for a contractor to enhance your landscaping, your local masonry contractor may not immediately come to mind, but maybe it should. A sturdy and attractive retaining wall can enhance the overall appearance of the landscape, increase the usable outdoor living space, and increase property value.
DiBara Masonry designs and builds retaining walls in Los Angeles and surrounding areas of Southern California.
Get in touch with us today to schedule an estimate for your new retaining wall.
Retaining walls on slopes require more than standard construction. We design every wall based on soil behavior, water flow, and elevation pressure, combining engineering, reinforced materials, and integrated drainage to prevent failure and ensure long-term stability. Every project is built to perform under real hillside conditions, turning risk into reliable, usable space.
A retaining wall is a structure that is designed to hold soil behind it. Retaining walls are frequently used to transform uneven or hilly ground and create more flat, usable land. This also helps to protect your landscaping from soil erosion and ground collapse. A common application is a retaining wall planter, which surrounds the perimeter of a house or fence and creates a raised, protected environment for your plants.
Some of the common materials used in retaining walls include:
When choosing the right material for your retaining wall, it is important to consider the height of the wall, proper drainage for moisture, aesthetics, and your own personal preference. We can discuss the options that are available and help you select the ideal material for your application.
In addition to the right material, it is important to choose the right type of retaining wall. The right type of wall depends heavily on the soil the wall is retaining and how you want the final product to look. We custom design retaining walls in Los Angeles to suit the unique requirements of every property.
We custom design and install:
Cantilevered retaining walls: This type of retaining wall requires fewer materials and more attention to detail in the design and construction. Cantilevered retaining walls have a relatively thin wall and a base that extends into the backfill (the heel) and forward beneath the soil (the toe).
Gravity retaining walls: Among the most basic designs, this type of retaining wall works by using the sheer mass and weight of the wall to hold the soil in place. Shorter retaining walls may not require further reinforcement, but most versions require a small trench to maximize stability. The simplicity of the design works with a wide variety of materials and finishes.
Anchored retaining walls: These retaining walls can be used with any material and style. This design anchors the retaining wall to the earth using cables or strips.
During your consultation, we can assess the soil, your property, and the requirements of a retaining wall to determine the best type of retaining wall for your home. We can discuss your needs and preferences to develop a unique design that will best suit your property.
The decades of experience and dedication to superior quality craftsmanship we possess set our company apart as an industry leader for retaining walls in Los Angeles. Our team of masons are well-educated, knowledgeable, and equipped to handle jobs of all sizes. Whether you need help with an existing retaining wall or want to take your yard in a new direction, we can help.
Contact us today for your free virtual consultation! You may also check our recent projects here.
DiBara Masonry installs a wide range of retaining walls in Los Angeles including poured concrete retaining walls, concrete block (CMU) walls, natural stone walls, brick retaining walls, and segmental retaining walls. Each wall type is engineered for the specific soil conditions, drainage requirements, and structural load of the property. They work on both residential hillside properties and commercial sites throughout the LA area.
In most cases, yes. Due to Southern California’s seismic activity and shifting soil conditions, retaining walls in Los Angeles, especially those taller than 3 to 4 feet or those supporting a surcharge such as a driveway or structure, require a permit and structural engineering review. DiBara Masonry handles the entire permitting process on behalf of clients, ensuring full compliance with local building codes and safety standards.
Common warning signs that a retaining wall needs professional attention include visible tilting or leaning, horizontal cracks in the middle of the wall, bulging sections, water seeping through the face of the wall, soil erosion behind or below the wall, and separation at joints or footings. If you notice any of these signs, especially after an earthquake or heavy rainfall, contact DiBara Masonry for a free assessment. Delaying repairs can lead to wall failure, property damage, and safety hazards.
The timeline for retaining wall installation depends on the wall’s height, length, material, and site conditions. A standard residential retaining wall project typically takes one to two weeks from excavation to completion. Larger or structurally complex projects, such as tiered hillside walls or those requiring extensive drainage work, may take longer. DiBara Masonry provides a precise project timeline before starting any work and adheres strictly to that schedule.
Retaining walls in Southern California fail for several reasons including improper drainage leading to hydrostatic pressure buildup behind the wall, inadequate or missing drainage systems, undersized or missing footings, seismic activity that shifts the wall’s base, tree root intrusion, and using the wrong material for the soil type. DiBara Masonry addresses all these factors during design and installation to ensure long-term structural integrity.
Yes. DiBara Masonry specializes in retaining wall repair and restoration throughout Los Angeles, including structures damaged by earthquakes, heavy windstorms, water intrusion, or aging. Depending on the severity of the damage and the condition of the foundation, they can either reinforce and repair the affected sections or safely demolish and rebuild the wall to meet current seismic standards. They offer free virtual consultations to assess the damage remotely before visiting the site.
The best material depends on the wall’s purpose, height, soil type, and budget. Poured concrete offers maximum structural strength and is ideal for tall or load-bearing walls. Concrete block (CMU) is versatile and cost-effective for medium-height privacy and retaining walls. Natural stone provides a premium aesthetic with excellent durability. Segmental retaining wall blocks are well-suited for shorter decorative walls. DiBara Masonry recommends the best material after assessing your specific site conditions during a free consultation.
Retaining wall costs in Los Angeles vary significantly based on material, height, length, soil conditions, drainage requirements, and permitting. Simple concrete block walls may start around $30 to $50 per square foot, while poured concrete or natural stone walls can range from $60 to $125 or more per square foot. DiBara Masonry provides transparent, fixed-price proposals after a site assessment, with no surprise costs. They also offer free virtual consultations and preliminary estimates before any commitment.
Yes. A well-constructed retaining wall can meaningfully increase property value in Los Angeles, particularly on hillside or sloped lots. It transforms unusable, eroding slopes into functional flat areas for gardens, patios, or parking. It also prevents soil erosion and water damage that could otherwise depress property value. Real estate professionals in LA recognize quality retaining walls as a structural and aesthetic asset, especially in hillside neighborhoods like the Hollywood Hills, Silver Lake, and Pasadena.
DiBara Masonry designs every retaining wall with integrated drainage to prevent the hydrostatic pressure buildup that causes wall failure. Their drainage solutions include gravel backfill behind the wall, weep holes or perforated drain pipes at the base, French drains where needed, and surface grading to direct water away from the wall. As Exterior Hillside Specialists, drainage engineering is a core part of every project they undertake on sloped or elevated properties.
Meet DiBara Masonry, the 4th generation masonry and concrete experts that have been restoring brick, stone, & concrete structures for over 100 years!
