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.
“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.
A properly engineered retaining wall does two things at once: it holds back soil on a slope and turns unusable terrain into functional outdoor space. DiBara Masonry designs and builds retaining walls in Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California communities, operating under active California State License CSLB #1002003.
Beyond structural performance, a well-built wall increases usable yard space, improves drainage around the foundation, and adds measurable property value. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free estimate for your retaining wall project.
Retaining walls on sloped lots require more than standard construction methods, they need site-specific engineering for soil behavior, water flow, and lateral earth pressure. Our hillside retaining wall specialists combine structural design, reinforced materials, and integrated drainage systems to prevent wall failure on Southern California’s steep-slope terrain.
Water buildup behind a wall is the leading cause of premature cracking and bulging. Our crews design drainage systems aligned with local stormwater management practices, detailed further in our retaining wall drainage guide, to keep hydrostatic pressure from compromising the structure over time.
A retaining wall is a structure built to hold soil in place, most commonly used to convert a sloped or uneven lot into flat, usable land while protecting against erosion and ground collapse. Common materials include natural stone, brick, concrete block, and treated timber, each suited to different soil conditions and design goals.
Choosing the right wall type depends on your soil, the wall’s height, and your drainage needs, our guide on retaining wall costs in Los Angeles breaks down how these factors affect pricing, and our permit and code requirements guide covers when a structural engineer or LADBS permit is required under Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) rules.
We custom design and install three primary retaining wall types based on your soil and site conditions:
If your existing wall already shows leaning, cracking, or bulging, see our field-data breakdown of why retaining walls fail early in Los Angeles, and our guide on deciding between repair and full rebuild for sloped-lot failures.
Not sure whether your yard needs one? Our 7 warning signs checklist covers the most common indicators, from visible soil erosion to standing water, that a retaining wall (or a repair to an existing one) is overdue.
Walls built along a shared property line carry specific legal considerations in California. Our property line guide explains what homeowners and neighbors are each responsible for before construction begins, and our footings and foundation guide covers the engineering considerations that determine how deep a wall’s base needs to go.
Four generations of family-owned masonry experience, dating back to the early 1900s, with 105+ years in business and 4,350+ completed projects across Los Angeles, sets DiBara Masonry apart as an industry leader for retaining wall construction. Our team manages every phase of the project, engineering coordination, LADBS permitting where required, and final inspection, in line with Los Angeles County Public Works standards for grading and drainage.
Once your wall is built, regular inspection extends its lifespan significantly, see our maintenance and lifespan guide for what to check each year. And if a poured-concrete, block, or shotcrete wall is a better fit for your project than the traditional options above, our materials comparison guide breaks down the tradeoffs.
Contact us today for your free virtual consultation! You may also check our recent retaining wall 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. Learn more about LADBS retaining wall permits and how we manage the city review process.
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. See our dedicated retaining wall repair page for warning signs and the repair-vs-rebuild decision process.
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!
