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⭐5-STAR Rated on Google, Yelp, & More

Custom Retaining Walls & Slope Stabilization for San Diego Homes

Protect your property value and stop soil erosion with a permanent solution. From structural engineering to city permits and the final build, we handle everything so you don't have to stress.

CA State License #1117768 | B - General Building Contractor

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San Diego Homeowner Approved:

Google: 5-star Google review rating for San Diego outdoor remodeling
Yelp: 5-star Yelp review rating for New Age Design and Build
Nextdoor: Highly rated on Nextdoor for San Diego backyard remodeling
Facebook: 5-star Facebook review rating for New Age Design and Build
VL Badge: Verified local remodeling contractor badge
Home Advisor: Top rated San Diego remodeling contractor badge

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Failing Slopes Hurt Your Property Value

A failing retaining wall or sliding slope is a massive safety hazard. It threatens your foundation and ruins your curb appeal. But fixing it shouldn't be a nightmare. We handle the strict city codes, soils reports, and engineering. So, you get a beautiful, stress-free build.

Questions About Retaining Walls in San Diego?

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Recent Retaining Wall Projects

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north park front yard remodel with retaining walls
Space added with retaining wall we built

Our No-Surprises Approach

We know construction can be stressful. We've optimized our process so you know exactly what is happening, when it's happening, and what it costs.

1

On-Site Consultation

We visit your property, evaluate the slope, and listen to your goals. No pushy sales tactics.

2

Transparent Pricing

You get a detailed quote covering everything from permits and 3D design to demolition and cleanup.

3

Owner-Led Build

Simon and the team are on-site daily. You receive weekly progress updates until the job is done perfectly.

Our 5-Star Team Gets The Job Done Right, The First Time.

Reviews & Testimonials

See why San Diego homeowners trust us with their biggest retaining wall projects.

Full Yard Remodel with Pavers, Turf, Retaining Wall, & Hardscape

Backyard Remodel
with Grass, Patio, Landscaping, & More

Complete Backyard Remodel with Outdoor Kitchen, Patio, & More

Backyard Remodel
with Concrete Patio, Turf, & Hardscaping

Flexible Financing Available

Bring your dream outdoor space to life on any budget. We work with top lenders to offer up to $0 down, instant approvals, and low monthly payment plans.

We Partner With Most Major Lenders Including:

Enerbank home improvement financing partner
Mosaic home remodeling financing partner
Renovate America home improvement financing
Synchrony financial partner for backyard remodeling

What Permits Are Needed For Retaining Walls in San Diego?

New Age Design & Build - San Diego, CA

Common Retaining Wall Questions

Not finding what you're looking for?

Q: Should I hire a landscaper or a Design & Build firm for a retaining wall?

If you need a small garden planter under 3 feet, a landscaper works. But in San Diego, any wall over 3 feet tall requires a city permit, and most structural walls require engineering drawings. Because of this, you need a licensed Design & Build firm to handle the strict city codes, proper drainage, and heavy construction to ensure the wall is built strong.

Yes. We work with you on the entire permitting process in-house. We work directly with structural engineers and the City of San Diego. This means we deal with the stressful paperwork, soil reports, or city inspectors.

It depends on the height, length, style, and the structural engineering required. Custom retaining wall projects typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 and above. You will get a clear price during your free on-site consultation where we run through all your options.

Yes this is really important. In San Diego when it rains it pours, and how that water moves on your property is key to protecting your investment. We engineer proper drainage systems directly into every yard we remodel and retaining wall we build. We install drains, make sure they’re to code, and use techniques like gravel backfill to safely redirect water. Fixing drainage now is much cheaper than repairing foundation or slope damage later.

Yes we knock down old walls and haul them off while taking measures to have minimal mess and disturbance for our clients.   We handle the full scope, from removing the failed structure to addressing soil erosion and building the new engineered wall. You do not need to hire a separate demo crew before we start. 

Strong retaining walls can be built from a number of materials, they just require slightly different designs. For maximum space, most residential projects use concrete masonry block (CMU) with rebar and grout fill. Then often a stucco finish with paint to make everything look beautiful. CMU is also engineered to hold massive weight so it’s great for steep slopes. For other properties, structural engineers often require poured architectural concrete, or the homeowner is looking for something like stacked flagstone. Whatever your needs we’re here to help with Retaining Walls in San Diego.

Yes. If you live in an HOA, you generally need architectural approval before submitting city permits. We provide the 3D drawings and material specs your committee requires. This is crucial for master-planned communities to avoid costly rework.

Yes. We partner with third-party lenders so qualified buyers can access flexible financing options. For structural projects where a wall might collapse, financing lets you fix the problem immediately before costs and risks multiply.
The warning signs are leaning walls, horizontal cracking, bulging sections, or standing water that will not drain. In San Diego hillside neighborhoods, a failing wall is a serious structural threat to your foundation. If you see these signs, book a site evaluation before the next rainy season.

Slope failure happens fast. A bowing wall can completely collapse during a single heavy rain, taking soil, landscaping, and even your home’s foundation with it. A $25,000 engineered repair today is a fraction of what catastrophic slope failure costs to fix.

Yes. Hillside and canyon lots are a huge part of our work. Steep slopes usually require a tiered or terraced wall system instead of one massive wall. This safely distributes the soil pressure. We regularly stabilize slopes in canyon-adjacent neighborhoods across San Diego County.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the wall. Simple designs can qualify for Rapid Review and clear the city in days. But for engineered or hillside walls, city review takes 4 to 10 weeks. Once permits are approved, the actual build usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. We give you a clear schedule and weekly updates so you are never left guessing.

Yes, often it will. A structural wall that turns a steep, unusable lot into a flat outdoor living space adds major value. Appraisers look at usable square footage. You are adding a permanent structural improvement to a high-value asset. It can also SAVE your home value when it comes to slopes and property lines.

Not always, but often. The City of San Diego requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 3 feet. Whether a soils report is also required depends on the site, the soil conditions, the wall height, and what the plan check engineer determines. Properties on hillsides, canyon lots, or near coastal bluffs are more likely to trigger this. We coordinate directly with our engineering partners to figure out exactly what your site needs.

Start with the CSLB license. For structural engineered walls requiring permits, a Type B General Contractor license covers the full scope of work, including the structural and excavation elements. Verify the license is active before signing anything. Also, make sure they handle city permits and engineering in-house. Or skip all that and call us. We’re rated 5-Stars for a reason!

Yes. A structural wall doesn’t have to look industrial. We can finish CMU blocks with smooth stucco or premium natural stone veneer to match your home. We provide 3D design renderings so you see exactly how beautiful the final space will look. We try to bring a bit of beauty to everything we build.

We build top rated retaining walls throughout San Diego County. This includes La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Chula Vista, and more. Check our service areas to see if we cover your neighborhood.

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