Retaining wall ideas for Perth gardens come down to four materials: limestone blocks, concrete sleepers, brick and concrete panel-and-post. Each suits a different look, height and budget. Prices depend on the material and the height, and approval rules depend on the council and on how tall the wall is. This guide sets out the typical Perth price per metre from a published cost guide, what the councils say about building permits, and the material options we see most. For the wider picture, see our retaining walls and paving in WA guide.
Limestone block walls
Limestone blocks are one of the four materials in this guide and suit a Perth garden well. We build retaining walls.
For a limestone block wall about 1 metre high, the What’s The Damage Perth guide gives a range of $295 to $630 per lineal metre, with a typical figure of $440.
Concrete sleeper walls
Concrete sleepers are a common option in Perth gardens. For a 1 metre wall, the Perth guide gives $315 to $630 per lineal metre, typical $470. At 1.5 metres the typical figure rises to $630, with a range of $420 to $1,000.
For comparison, timber sleepers run from $210 to $470 per lineal metre (typical $335), with no height stated in the guide.
Brick walls
Brick is the fourth material in this guide. The Perth price guide does not list brick walls, so we have no figure to quote here. Call us for a free quote on your retaining wall.
Panel-and-post walls
Panel-and-post walls use concrete panels fitted between two concrete posts. The Perth price guide does not list this type, so the figures below come from a Perth fencing supplier, Teamwork Fencing. Their claims are their own, not independent figures. They say the walls are installed at heights up to 1.2 metres, start at “just $145 per metre”, and are “usually cheaper than other options like limestone blocks or brick walls”. They also note the panels are heavy and can chip, scratch or crack if mishandled, so the install should be done by a professional.
Price per metre by material
The table below uses the figures from the Perth price guide, per lineal metre. Heights are shown only where the guide states them. These are typical ranges for Perth, not quotes for Landscapes For Life’s work. Every job is quoted for your block, so call us for a free quote.
| Material | Height stated in guide | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber sleeper | not stated | $210 | $335 | $470 |
| Hardwood sleeper | 1 m | $295 | $420 | $630 |
| Limestone block | 1 m | $295 | $440 | $630 |
| Concrete sleeper | 1 m | $315 | $470 | $630 |
| Gabion | not stated | $315 | $525 | $840 |
| Block or besser | 1 m | $370 | $580 | $790 |
| Sandstone | not stated | $370 | $580 | $735 |
Drainage behind the wall adds $32 to $84 per lineal metre, typical $52. The guide describes it as running behind the wall, so ask whether your quote includes it.
When a retaining wall needs approval in WA
The short answer is that a building permit is usually needed once a wall is more than 500mm high. Three councils say the same thing:
- City of Vincent: a building permit is generally required for a retaining wall over 500mm in height.
- Shire of Toodyay: “A building Permit is required for any retaining wall greater than 500mm in height.” Planning approval may also be required, and must be applied for and approved before the building permit is lodged.
- City of Belmont: a permit is required for a wall that retains ground more than 500mm in height. A wall may be exempt from planning approval, but a building permit may still be required.
Walls under 500mm are not always free of rules. Belmont says written consent from all affected adjoining landowners is required where a wall encroaches or affects adjoining land (Form BA20). Toodyay asks for a signed engineer’s detail where a wall carries imposed loads.
Engineering: cost guides disagree on the height
The What’s The Damage guide puts engineering at $525 to $2,100 per job, but it is inconsistent about when an engineer is needed. Its introduction says walls over 1.5 metres, while another section says walls over about 1 metre. Councils set the rule, not the cost guide. Belmont expects structural designs certified by a registered structural engineer for a BA2 building permit application. Ask your council which applies to your wall.
Choosing a wall for your garden
Start with the height and the site, then the look and the budget. A wall that holds back a small garden bed has different needs from one that holds back the side of a sloping block. Get the approval question answered before you pick a material, so the design fits what the council will allow. The wall also has to match the paving and paths around it, so plan those together.
If you would like help matching a wall to your block, our retaining walls Perth page sets out the work we do, and we can also tie the wall in with paving and paths so the whole area looks finished.
Frequently asked questions
Which retaining wall is cheapest in Perth, limestone or concrete sleeper?
In the Perth price guide, the lowest typical figure is timber sleeper at $335 per lineal metre, although the guide does not state its height. For a 1 metre wall, limestone block is typical at $440 and concrete sleeper at $470. Your quote will depend on the site, height and access.
How long do sleeper retaining walls last?
We do not give a lifespan here, because the sources we checked have no Perth figures. Materials and site conditions differ, so call us and we will talk through the options for your block.
Do I need council approval for a retaining wall in WA?
Usually yes once the wall is more than 500mm high, because a building permit is generally required. Check planning approval as well, since councils can require it before the permit is lodged.
Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall?
Councils decide. Belmont expects certified structural designs for a BA2 building permit application. Toodyay requires a signed engineer’s detail where imposed loads apply. The cost guides disagree on whether 1 metre or 1.5 metres is the trigger.
Can I build a retaining wall on the boundary?
Walls that encroach on a boundary or affect adjoining land need written consent from the affected neighbours, according to Belmont (Form BA20). Check with your council first.
Thinking about a retaining wall for your block? Get a free quote and we will talk through the height and the site with you.