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Stabilise your sloped yard with the 5 best retaining wall pros in Calgary

Local Climate Durability: We prioritised builders who specifically engineer their structures to withstand severe freeze-thaw cycles. A barrier must resist frost heave and sudden ground shifts to last decades.

Proper Drainage Integration: Trapped water destroys masonry faster than anything else in landscaping. We looked for teams that build dedicated French drains and grading solutions right into the base.

Transparent Warranty Coverage: A massive hardscaping investment needs reliable protection against settling and structural failure. We reviewed the exact length and terms of their workmanship guarantees so you know what’s covered.

Material Expertise: We favoured contractors offering a diverse range of durable materials like cast concrete, precast brick, and natural stone. Finding a crew that matches your specific design aesthetic and budget is crucial for property value.

Dealing with a sloped yard in Calgary usually means battling soil erosion and tricky spring runoff. Before you look into tree services or hire a crew for concrete patio services, you’ll want to secure your yard’s slope first. 

Poor drainage and weak base compaction can quickly damage your landscaping investment. That’s why we’ve looked past the flashy marketing to find the most reliable retaining wall crews in town.

Here are our top choices for building the best retaining wall in Calgary. These crews can handle the city’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles and help keep your yard stable. Read on!

How much does a retaining wall cost in Calgary?

In Calgary, homeowners typically spend $5,000 to $12,000 for a standard retaining wall, while installed costs can range from $35 to over $160 per square foot, depending on the material and project.

Wall MaterialAverage Installed Cost (Per Sq. Face Foot)
Pressure-Treated Timber$35 – $55
Standard Concrete Block$45 – $70
Premium Concrete Block$70 – $100
Poured Concrete / Engineered$60 – $150+
Natural Stone$90 – $160+

1. Morgan K Landscapes

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Website: morgank.ca

Address: 11625 Elbow Dr SW

Contact: (587) 620-0769

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Tackling severe clay soils and sudden rain events requires deep local knowledge. Fortunately, Morgan K Landscapes brings over two decades of specific Calgary landscape experience to your yard. 

Their team uses clear gravel, perforated pipes, and other drainage methods to reduce hydrostatic pressure and protect retaining walls.

We spoke with a client who hired them last year. He told us the integrated drainage made a huge difference during spring snowmelt, helping protect their terraced garden from water damage. 

You’ll even get reliable liability protection since they carry full licensing and insurance throughout the whole excavation process.

However, expect a solid wait before construction actually begins. That’s because their schedule fills up fast in the spring, often pushing new builds into late summer. 

Additionally, they back their masonry with a relatively short one-year structural warranty, which feels brief for a permanent outdoor feature.

Pros

  • Uses established masonry brands
  • Integrated pipes and gravel drainage
  • Takes on existing wall replacements
  • Active licensing and full insurance

Cons

  • Short one-year structural warranty
  • Schedule fills up fast in spring

Perry and his team were wonderful

Morgan K’s work included re-levelling the lower outdoor fire pit area, raising an existing retaining wall, creating planter areas for shrubs and perennials – where they were to be planted, rebuilding the property line fence, and installing a brand-new front lawn.  It was not easy work – much had to be done by hand.  Perry and his team were wonderful, cooperative, paid attention to every detail, and kept me well informed.  I very much appreciated their desire to find the best way to get things done.  Once complete the curb appeal of my Home was fully transformed – the backyard amazing. 

They were professional, responsive, and courteous

We hired Morgan K. Landscapes to build a new retaining wall along the side of our property this summer. We are pleased with the quality of work, and would highly recommend Perry and his crew. They were professional, responsive, and courteous to our neighbor and us. The job site was cleaned up and in order before they left each day. They listened to our requests and provided professional opinions to make the project better, while always being considerate of our budget. We would recommend Morgan K. Landscapes!

Thanks,

Rebecca & Carl

2. Oasis Landscape Group Ltd.

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Website: oasislandscaping.ca

Address: 2916 Cedar Ridge Dr SW

Contact: (587) 870-6422 | [email protected]

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Oasis Landscape Group Ltd. focuses on durable precast brick, cast concrete, and natural stone retaining walls. They generally steer homeowners away from timber to help avoid rot and other long-term issues.

For added peace of mind, every hardscape installation comes with a 36-month workmanship guarantee covering structural defects. 

They even handle the City of Calgary permitting process and carry WCB coverage and active industry insurance, so major excavation work is properly covered.

However, they may not be the right fit if you’re looking for a cheap pressure-treated wood wall on a tight budget. 

Keeping the three-year guarantee active also requires regular maintenance, and leaving debris around the wall can void the coverage. 

Still, their grading solutions can turn steep, difficult lawns into attractive and usable garden tiers.

Pros

  • Solid 36-month workmanship warranty
  • Helps navigate city permit rules
  • Durable, long-lasting wall materials
  • Full WCB and liability insurance

Cons

  • No budget timber wall options
  • Strict warranty maintenance requirements

Oasis has been great to work with! 

Oasis has been great to work with! They are always on top of things, provide practical solutions, and communicate very well. They are also very responsive and quick to address any tasks or concerns. We really appreciate their professionalism and reliable service!

They take pride in the work they do, and it is most appreciated

Joe and his crew from Oasis have been so great to work with.  They take pride in the work they do, and it is most appreciated.  Joe has been great to work with as we try to come up with some enhancements for our Townhouse complex.  He has great ideas, and is always willing to share his thoughts on what would work best, and does not pressure to do more.  He is happy to work within a budget, and for that we are extremely thankful.  Highly recommend Oasis for any personal or complex related landscaping needs.

3. Urban Oasis Developments Inc

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Website: urban-oasisdev.com

Address: 5319 3rd Street SE #737

Contact: 587-226-6435

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Complex sloped properties need serious planning, and Urban Oasis Developments Inc. works directly with geotechnical engineers to design reliable multi-tiered structures.

Their team uses custom French drains and other hydrostatic drainage systems to reduce water pressure behind retaining walls.

To handle Calgary’s freeze-thaw cycles, certified installers build each structure with materials designed to resist ground movement. You’ll even get 3D digital renderings before construction starts, so you can see how the finished grade will look.

We recently walked past one of their job sites, and the precision of their initial trench excavation looked incredibly professional.

But keep in mind that their larger-scale projects come with minimum budgets starting around $5,000. 

They’re also closed on weekends, which can make site visits harder to schedule.

Still, their five-phase process provides consistent quality control from demolition through exterior finishing. 

Pros

  • Coordinates with geotechnical engineers
  • Provides 3D digital project renderings
  • Uses trained and certified installers
  • Structured five-phase build process

Cons

  • High starting budget minimums
  • Closed on weekends

Responsive throughout the whole process

He has been responsive throughout the whole process and gave instructions for aftercare of the result. There was a minor issue with the edging of the mulch and his crew immediately responded and corrected the issue. The project included grading, artificial turf, planting of brushes and trees, laying of stone and mulch, retaining wall and irrigation.

In the end we are extremely happy with the end product

Mike and his team were great to work with, very responsive to our requests as the landscaping progressed. In the end we are extremely happy with the end product, yard looks great. Mike has also been accessible for questions after the fact and to send guys back to ensure we are completely satisfied.

4. A.N.T Works Construction & Landscaping – Concrete Contractor Calgary

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Website: antswork.ca

Address: 244 Manora Road NE T2A 4R6 

Contact: +1 5874350872 | [email protected]

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Tearing out an old, failing layout is messy work, but A.N.T Works handles the full teardown and replacement with a precise fit. Their 30-member crew helps heavy concrete projects move quickly without the usual scheduling delays.

Service-wise, they offer decorative finishes like exposed aggregate and stamped stone patterns, along with complete site prep. That includes bobcat grading, heavy backfilling, and water management from the ground up.

And since they focus on local neighbourhoods, they also understand how to work with Calgary’s clay soils. Their integrated gutter drains help control water pressure and protect new concrete from cracking.

The main drawback is their limited Saturday consultation window, which runs for just three hours.

Additionally, they have only about five years of field experience, which is less than some established masonry teams.

Pros

  • Moves fast with a 30-member crew
  • Offers custom decorative concrete finishes
  • Fully tears down existing structures
  • Handles extensive site grading

Cons

  • Limited weekend availability
  • Shorter local operating history

Easy to deal with, hardworking crew, and fair pricing

Really happy with the work A.N.T Works Construction & Landscaping did around my house. They poured the stamped concrete around the property, and it came out exactly how I wanted. Easy to deal with, hardworking crew, and fair pricing. I’d definitely use them again and would recommend them to anyone needing concrete work 

5. Tazscapes Inc. Calgary Landscaping

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Website: tazscapeslandscaping.ca

Address: 61 Nolanhurst Cres NW

Contact: 587-578-0747 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Saturday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Stopping yard flooding takes careful planning, and Tazscapes Inc. maps out your current and future water flow before laying a single stone. 

Their team performs a detailed drainage analysis and marks exact grade elevations, helping keep material pricing accurate without guesswork.

They specialise in durable precast blocks and heavy-duty regional boulders suited for tough residential slopes. The team even creates elevated garden layouts that make flower maintenance easier on sloped yards.

If you want a more custom look, their deck carpenters can build integrated wood planter boxes to match your home’s exterior.

But remember, they’ll only guide you through the required safety bylaws but don’t handle the full city permit process from start to finish.

Their standard workmanship warranty also lasts just one year, so ground settling after that period won’t be covered.

Pros

  • Performs detailed site drainage analysis
  • Uses heavy-duty regional boulders
  • Calculates exact material requirements
  • Builds custom elevated garden layouts

Cons

  • Only guides instead of pulling permits
  • Warranty limited to a single year

Headache-Free Big Backyard Renovation Project

We are very glad that we chose Taz for our big backyard renovation. They did it all—from disposing of our old greenhouse and shed, replacing the fence and retaining wall, to building a new deck and adding a beautiful concrete patio space—and completed it in a timely and efficient manner (the crew’s work ethic was pretty remarkable to watch day after day). We appreciate how Taz made this big project headache-free for us. We can now enjoy our new space this summer and for many summers to come!

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