In brief
A retaining wall actively holds back the soil of a sloped lot and takes the lateral pressure of both ground and water — it's a structural work, distinct from a decorative wall that frames a planting bed without holding any real load. In Québec, once a wall exceeds 1.2 m in height, most municipalities require a permit and drawings signed by an engineer: soil pressure and freeze-thaw cycles demand a real load calculation, not a rough guess.
The critical detail — invisible once the wall is finished — is drainage behind the wall. Our method: excavation, a compacted crushed-stone foundation built up in layers (typically 40 to 60 cm depending on height and soil), a geotextile membrane, and a drain at the base to evacuate water before it freezes and pushes on the structure. That work you never see in photos is what keeps a wall straight after ten winters.
Depending on height, soil and the look you want, we build with engineered stacking blocks (Techno-Bloc, Permacon), gravity blocks (large concrete units that hold back soil through their own weight) or quarry-selected natural stone. We present the options with their real trade-offs, not a default pick.
This page covers the retaining wall as a structural work: load calculation, permits, engineering. Looking for a decorative wall, or choosing between natural stone and block for a low landscape wall? See our Stone walls page.
On-site evaluation: the actual height to retain, soil type, water presence. We determine with you whether a permit and engineer are required before ever discussing materials.
Stacked, anchored Techno-Bloc or Permacon block, sized for the height and load of your lot. An efficient solution for medium to long runs.
Large concrete units that hold back soil through their own weight, without complex anchoring. Suited to taller walls or limited site access.
Quarry-selected stone, hand-laid, for a structural wall that also has character. See also our natural stone specialty.
Compacted crushed stone, geotextile and a base drain behind every wall: the work that keeps the structure straight through Québec winters.
Above 1.2 m, we coordinate the engineer and check your municipality's bylaw before work begins — no administrative surprise mid-project.
We tell you whether your project genuinely needs a structural wall or if a low decorative wall will do — the priciest option isn't always the right one.
No retaining wall leaves our crew without clean stone, geotextile and a base drain. It's almost always trapped water, not the stone, that makes a wall bulge.
When height requires it, we handle the engineer coordination and the municipal process — you don't have to juggle the paperwork alone.
Excavation, foundation, materials, laying, drainage and cleanup: one clear price. Free on-site estimate.
A decorative wall frames a bed or entrance without holding significant load — it usually stays low. A retaining wall actively holds back the soil of a slope and takes strong lateral pressure: it's a structural work. We assess your lot on site to tell you which you actually need — sometimes a simple wall is enough, sometimes the slope calls for a true engineered wall.
The common rule across most Lower Laurentians municipalities: a retaining wall over 1.2 m in height requires a permit and drawings signed by an engineer. Below that, a well-built wall with proper drainage can often be done without engineer's drawings, but bylaws vary town to town and height is sometimes measured from the bottom of the footing, not the finished grade. We systematically check your municipality's bylaw before work begins.
Three main options: stacked engineered blocks (Techno-Bloc, Permacon), fast to install and manufacturer-warrantied; gravity blocks, large concrete units that hold back soil through their own weight, suited to taller walls; and natural stone, quarry-selected, for a unique look. The choice depends on height, soil and budget — we present the options with their real trade-offs at the estimate.
Almost always drainage, rarely the material. Without clean stone, geotextile and a base drain behind the wall, water builds up, freezes in winter and pushes on the structure until it bulges or tips. A foundation that's too thin or poorly compacted makes it worse. A well-built wall — proper foundation, full drainage — stays straight for decades.
For a low wall with no engineer's plan, expect a few days of site work after the estimate. For a structural wall requiring a permit and engineer's drawings, add 3 to 6 weeks for permit approval before work even starts. We give you a precise schedule right after assessing your lot.
