Retaining Walls by Lee’s General Landscaping
Built to hold the line—and look great doing it.
Hey, it’s Mr. Lee. If your yard’s sliding downhill, your garden’s flooding, or your property looks like it’s trying to escape during every Seattle rainstorm, you probably need a retaining wall.
We build solid, clean, and long-lasting retaining walls that don’t just stop erosion—they make your yard more usable and way better looking.
What Retaining Walls Do (Besides Look Good)
Here’s what most folks are trying to fix or improve with a new wall:
- Prevent Soil Erosion – Keep that hill where it belongs.
- Level Out Slopes – Create flat spaces for patios, plants, play areas, or parking.
- Control Water Flow – Keep runoff away from your home or garden beds.
- Boost Curb Appeal – Create tiered planting beds or visual structure.
- Add Value – A well-built wall is a lasting investment.
Our Most Popular Retaining Wall Styles
We work with a variety of materials depending on your budget, style, and project size:
Manufactured Block (Most Common)
Strong, uniform, and easy to stack. Great for modern designs and fast installs. Comes in lots of textures and colors.
Natural Stone (Showstopper Look)
This is dry-stacked art. Every stone is placed by hand. It’s a bit more work—but it’s beautiful and timeless.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Railroad tie style or clean, modern cedar timbers. Best for low walls, planter boxes, and budget-conscious builds.
Do I Need a Permit?
Here’s the rule of thumb in Seattle:
- Under 4 feet high? No permit usually needed.
- Over 4 feet? Yep, probably requires a permit and engineering.
We often break tall walls into terraced levels to stay under the permit line and keep costs down. We can also help handle the paperwork if a permit is required—no worries there.
Retaining Wall Installation: What to Expect
Here’s how we build walls that last:
- Site Prep & Digging – We clear the area, dig the trench, and level everything out.
- Base Layer – Compacted gravel for a solid foundation. No shortcuts.
- Block or Stone Stacking – Laid level, course by course, overlapping joints for strength.
- Drainage Layer – We install fabric, drain pipe, and gravel to move water away.
- Backfill & Compacting – Behind the wall, we add soil in layers to prevent settling.
- Finish & Clean Up – We top things off neatly, haul off debris, and make sure it’s looking sharp.
Hillside Restoration? We Do That Too.
If you’ve got a steep slope or erosion-prone yard, a wall is just the start. We can also:
- Grade the hillside
- Add deep-rooted native plants
- Use erosion fabric and mulch
- Install drainage to keep everything stable
Hillside restoration is all about long-term success. Let us walk the site and come up with a plan that works with your land—not against it.
Common Mistakes (We Don’t Make)
- No drainage behind the wall
- Stacking blocks without a base
- Using the wrong material for the job
- Not accounting for load (like a driveway or deck nearby)
- Forgetting to get permits or HOA approval
We’ve seen all the DIY disasters. Save yourself the time and trouble—call us first, and we’ll get it right.
Let’s Build You a Wall That Lasts
A well-built retaining wall does more than hold dirt. It makes your yard more usable, protects your investment, and looks great doing it. We’d love to help you design one that fits your goals and your budget.
📧 lees.g.landscaping@gmail.com
📞 206-259-7919
🕘 Mon–Sun: 9AM–6PM
Call us before your slope becomes a landslide. We’ll take care of it.
