Wood Retaining Walls in Sacramento, CA
Strong, affordable wood retaining walls — built to tame sloped lots and ready for a fence on top.
Got a slope, a drop-off, or soil that won’t stay put? A wood retaining wall is an affordable, great-looking way to level your yard, control erosion, and reclaim usable space. Fantastic Fence builds wood retaining walls throughout the greater Sacramento area — typically from pressure-treated lumber, and from redwood when the look matters most. As a fence company first, we’re especially good at the projects other contractors shy away from: a retaining wall with a new wood or privacy fence built right on top.
We specialize in wood retaining walls. If your project calls for engineered concrete, block, or boulder walls, we’ll tell you up front and point you in the right direction — no wasted time.
Pressure-Treated vs. Redwood: Choosing Your Material
Both materials make a solid wall. The right pick comes down to budget and how visible the wall will be.
Pressure-treated lumber is the workhorse: it’s built for ground contact and resists underground rot and insects, which is exactly what a buried, soil-bearing wall needs. Redwood is the premium choice when the wall face is on full display and you want that warm, natural color. Want to go deeper on the wood itself? See our guides on pressure-treated wood in Sacramento and types of redwood.
Why a Wood Retaining Wall?
Erosion control
Holds back soil on sloped properties so it doesn’t wash downhill in heavy Sacramento winter rains.
Better drainage
Built correctly, a wall channels water away from the areas you want to protect.
More usable yard
Levels a slope into flat, functional space for a lawn, patio, garden bed, or play area.
Natural good looks
Wood blends into a landscape far more warmly than gray block — and matches a wood fence perfectly.
Added value
A clean, functional wall improves both the appearance and the usability of your property.
Retaining Wall + Fence:
Our Specialty
Many of our retaining walls are built as the foundation for a fence — a privacy fence at the top of a slope, or a wall that lets us run a level fence line across uneven ground. Because we do both, you get one accountable crew handling the wall and the fence together, with a clean transition between them. Explore our wood fences and privacy fences. For maximum fence strength on top of a wall, ask about our bolt-up hidden steel posts.
How Much Does a Wood Retaining Wall Cost?
Most wood retaining walls in the Sacramento area run roughly $30 to $60 per linear foot, depending on a number of factors. Here’s what moves the price up or down:
Length and height
The two biggest drivers — more linear feet and more courses mean more material and labor.
Material
Pressure-treated lumber is the most economical; redwood costs more for its natural look.
Site access and excavation
Tight access, hard or rocky digging, and steep slopes add time.
Want a ballpark before you call? Our fence price calculator includes retaining walls, and our Sacramento fence & wall cost guide breaks down local pricing. For an exact figure, book a free on-site consultation.
Wood vs. Concrete Retaining Walls:
Which Is Right for You?
This is the question most homeowners weigh first. Here’s an honest side-by-side so you can decide what fits your yard and budget:
Why Fantastic Fence
Licensed and proven
CA Contractor’s License #979657, with 1,000+ five-star Google reviews (2,000+ across all platforms).
Three local offices
Rocklin, Sacramento, and Elk Grove — so we’re close to your project.
Our own crews
W-2 employees, not subcontractors, accountable to our standards.
Wall and fence under one roof
We handle the retaining wall and the fence together, so nothing falls between two contractors.
1,000+ Five-Star Reviews
“From start to finish, Fantastic Fence was incredible. They installed a beautiful redwood privacy fence that completely transformed our backyard. The crew was professional, efficient, and respectful of our property.”
“We needed a fence replacement and these guys delivered. The redwood looks amazing and they finished ahead of schedule. Very happy with the hidden steel posts upgrade—worth every penny.”
“Best decision we made for our home. The crew was on time every day, answered all our questions, and the fence looks perfect. Five stars isn’t enough!”
“Quality workmanship at a fair price. Our redwood fence has held up beautifully. The installation was seamless and the team really knows what they’re doing.”
Get Your Free Quote
Most quotes delivered within 48 hours • Serving 6 counties across Sacramento
What's Included:
We’ll come to your property and assess your project in person
Help choosing style, wood type, and upgrades for your budget
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Areas We Serve
We build wood retaining walls throughout the greater Sacramento region, including Roseville, Folsom, Davis, Carmichael, Auburn, Citrus Heights, El Dorado Hills, Lincoln, Natomas, Elk Grove, Loomis, Penryn, Galt, Lodi, Grass Valley, and West Sacramento — across Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Yuba, and Nevada Counties. See our full service area.
- Major Cities
• Sacramento
• Roseville
• Rocklin
• Folsom
• Elk Grove
• Davis
• Auburn
• Lincoln
- Communities
• Citrus Heights
• El Dorado Hills
• Carmichael
• Natomas
• Fair Oaks
• Orangevale
• Granite Bay
• Loomis
- More Areas
• Newcastle
• Woodland
• West Sacramento
• Rancho Cordova
• Plus surrounding areas
Not sure whether we cover your area? Give us a call—chances are we do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Fencing
What kind of retaining walls do you build?
We specialize in wood retaining walls — most often pressure-treated lumber, and redwood when appearance is the priority. We don’t build block, poured-concrete, or boulder walls; if that’s what your project needs, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Should I choose pressure-treated or redwood?
Pressure-treated is the cost-effective workhorse and our standard for most walls. Redwood is the upgrade for highly visible walls where you want a warm, natural look. Both perform well when the wall is drained correctly.
How long does a wood retaining wall last?
In most cases, 20 years or more is common — sometimes considerably longer. Reduction of water contact, drainage and corrosion-resistant hardware matter far more to lifespan than the wood species alone.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Often, no — however some jurisdictions require a permit and engineering for walls retaining more than about four feet tall. Rules vary by city and county, and we’ll help you sort out what your project needs.
Can you build a fence on top of my retaining wall?
Absolutely — it’s one of the things we do best. Because we build both, you get a clean, coordinated result from a single crew instead of juggling two contractors.
Tame Your Slope the Easy Way
Get a free, no-pressure consultation and exact quote for your wood retaining wall — fence on top optional.
Licensed #979657 • Bonded & Insured • Serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Yuba & Nevada Counties