Rocka Excavation - experienced retaining wall contractors working from Wellington up through Kapiti to Palmerston North
Retaining walls can transform the way you use your land, from creating level gardens and outdoor areas to supporting driveways, building platforms and changes in ground level.
Rocka Excavation constructs timber, block, gabion basket and other retaining wall systems for residential, commercial and civil projects, including:
- Gardens and landscaping
- Sloping residential sections
- House and building sites
- Driveways and accessways
- Lifestyle blocks and rural properties
- Subdivisions and developments
- Commercial and civil projects
With our earthworks, excavation, piling and drilling capabilities, we can take care of the groundwork as well as constructing the retaining wall itself.
Talk to Rocka Excavation about your retaining wall project.
From garden walls to large engineered retaining walls, we build them all
- Strong, solid retaining walls built for properties and projects of all sizes
- Timber, gabion and other retaining wall systems available
- Creative problem-solving for challenging sites, complex requirements and difficult access
Based on the Kapiti Coast and working in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti, Horowhenua and Manawatu
Timber, block, gabion and other retaining wall systems
The best type of retaining wall will depend on what it's supporting, the site, the ground conditions and, for engineered projects, the specified design.
Rocka Excavation can construct a wide range of retaining walls, including:
Timber retaining walls – a practical and versatile option for many residential properties, gardens and landscaping projects.
Block retaining walls – suitable for projects where a solid wall and different finished appearance are wanted.
Gabion basket retaining walls – rock-filled baskets that provide a robust retaining solution and a distinctive natural appearance.
Piled and steel retaining walls – options for projects requiring greater structural support or where ground conditions call for a piled solution.
Anchored and tie-back retaining walls – engineered systems that use anchors extending into the ground behind the wall to provide additional support.
For engineered walls, we'll construct the retaining system specified by the engineer rather than being limited to one particular type of wall.
We take care of the groundwork too
Rocka Excavation can undertake the excavation and ground preparation, drilling and piling, backfilling and compaction required for the project. We can also prepare for the drainage needed behind the retaining wall and coordinate with drainlayers where required.
Taking care of the earthworks and retaining as one job makes it easier to coordinate each stage and ensures the ground is properly prepared for the wall being constructed.
Retaining walls for steep and challenging sites
Changes in ground level, difficult terrain and restricted access can make retaining work considerably more complicated. Our team is accustomed to working on challenging ground and has a range of machinery and specialist piling and drilling equipment available.
For more complex projects, we work closely with engineers and other contractors to find a practical solution and get the wall built to the requirements of the site.
Seawalls and coastal retaining work
Rocka Excavation undertakes seawall construction and repairs, including rock placement, repairs to timber retaining structures and tie-back systems. Coastal projects can present very different ground, access and engineering challenges from an ordinary residential retaining wall, so talk to us first.
For all retaining wall projects, talk to Rocka Excavation about what you’re hoping to achieve - we can meet you onsite to discuss the options and practical ways to work within your budget. If engineering input is needed, we can recommend an engineer who can also meet onsite, which will give us the information we need to provide an accurate quote for your retaining wall.
Absolutely. Problem-solving is one of Rocka Excavation's strengths. If access is difficult, the land is awkward or there are several issues to work around, we'll look at the whole site and explore practical options to achieve what you need. Sometimes a different approach can also make a significant difference to the overall cost.
Keep an eye out for a wall that's starting to lean, bow or bulge, has cracks or movement, or there is rotting timber and changes in the ground around it. Water appearing or pooling where it didn't previously can also indicate drainage problems behind the wall.
Yes. Vehicles, driveways, buildings and other weight above a retaining wall can create additional pressure known as a surcharge. This needs to be taken into account when determining the appropriate retaining solution for the site.
Water building up in the soil behind a wall creates additional pressure and can contribute to movement or failure. Good retaining wall construction therefore needs to consider how water will drain away rather than allowing pressure to build behind the structure.
Sometimes. It depends on what's wrong with the wall and its overall condition. Possible solutions can include improving drainage or adding additional posts or anchors, but a deteriorated or unsuitable wall may need more substantial work or replacement. Rocka can look at the wall and talk through the practical options with you.