They Fixed the Fence But Ignored the Retaining Wall

A brand new fence looks great. But if it's sitting on top of a leaning, cracked or poorly drained retaining wall, it won't stay that way.

One reviewer described a job that included new drainage for their retaining wall. It never happened. The fence was the focus, and the wall underneath was left for later.

Why they're connected

• A fence on top of a wall adds extra load, especially in strong wind.
• If the wall moves, the fence moves with it.
• Poor drainage behind a wall can push it over time, taking the fence along.

Plan it as one job

Where there's a level change, the best approach is to look at the wall and the fence together. That means checking the wall's condition, its drainage, and whether it can safely carry a fence.

Some contractors price the level change and the fence as one job, in one visit. That's often the smartest way to do it.

Questions to ask

1. Is my retaining wall in good enough condition to support a fence?
2. Is the drainage behind it working?
3. Should the wall be repaired or replaced first?

How we approach it

We build both fences and retaining walls, so we look at the whole picture. If your wall needs attention first, we'll tell you before you spend money on a new fence.

Got a fence on a retaining wall? Call us on 07 2141 7748 or request a free quote.