Published price ranges
| Material | Published range (per face sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Interlocking (segmental) block | About $25–$48 |
| Poured or block concrete | About $36–$53 |
| Boulder / natural stone | About $36–$60 |
| Overall | About $19–$60 |
These Long Island figures were published in 2022; expect higher prices today. These are published market ranges from Long Island contractors' cost guides and national cost sites, not CMC prices. Your number depends on your yard, access and finishes. We give a written quote after a free visit.
What “per face square foot” means
Walls are priced by the visible face: length × height. A wall 40 feet long and 3 feet high is 120 face square feet. At $25–$48, that's about $3,000–$5,760 for block before steps, caps, lighting or drainage extras.
Why walls fail, and what prevents it
- Water pressure is what pushes walls over. Drainage stone and a perforated pipe behind the wall relieve it.
- A weak base. A compacted gravel base and a buried first course keep the wall from shifting.
- No reinforcement on taller walls. Geogrid tied into the soil behind the wall holds it back.
Permits and engineering
Requirements vary by town. Taller walls, and walls holding up a driveway, pool or structure, often need engineering and a permit. We'll tell you what your town needs and coordinate engineering when it's required.
Updated November 2026.
