Block and natural stone walls
Retaining Walls in Northbrook, IL
Custom retaining walls for homes in Northbrook, IL and across the North Shore. We design and build block and natural stone walls that hold back slopes, level the yard and add seating and planting beds.
Base, drainage and wall built by one team
Northbrook, IL
Custom Retaining Walls for Sloped Yards and Ravine Lots
North Shore Landscape Design & Build designs and builds retaining walls from our office at 900 Skokie Blvd #219 in Northbrook, for homes in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka and Wilmette.
Many North Shore yards look flat until you try to put a patio on them. A retaining wall turns a slope into usable, level ground, and on the ravine lots of Highland Park and Winnetka it holds back the hillside.
What we build
Retaining Walls We Design and Build
The right wall depends on the height, the slope and the look you want.
Segmental Block Walls
Interlocking concrete block in many colors and textures, the most common choice for walls that hold a slope.
Natural Stone Walls
Limestone and fieldstone walls with a classic look that suits older North Shore homes and wooded lots.
Seat Walls
Low walls at seating height that frame a patio or fire pit and give guests a place to sit.
Terraced Walls for Steep Slopes
Two or more shorter walls that step down a slope, with planting between them.
Planning
Planning a Retaining Wall
A wall that lasts starts with these questions:
- How high it needs to be, and whether one wall or two terraces works better
- Where the water behind the wall will go
- The block or stone that fits the house and the patio
- Steps, lights or seating built into the wall
- Village rules on wall height and location
Built for North Shore winters
What Holds a Retaining Wall Up
A retaining wall fails from behind. Water builds up in the soil, freezes and pushes, and the wall leans or bulges. What keeps it standing is mostly hidden.
A compacted base and a buried first row
The first row of block or stone sits below grade on a compacted gravel base, so the wall cannot slide.
Drainage behind the wall
Gravel backfill and a perforated drain pipe let water out instead of building pressure.
Reinforcement for taller walls
Taller walls tie back into the slope with layers of geogrid, as the block maker specifies.
How it works
Our Retaining Walls Process
- 1
1. Site visit and slope check
We look at the slope, the soil and where water flows, and talk about how you want to use the space.
- 2
2. Design and estimate
You get a plan with the wall height, materials and drainage and a written estimate.
- 3
3. Excavation and base
We dig the trench, build the compacted base and set the first row level.
- 4
4. Build, backfill and walkthrough
We build the wall with drainage behind it, cap it and walk the finished wall with you.
Why us
Why Hire North Shore Landscape for Your Retaining Wall
One team designs and builds
The people who draw the plan are the people who build it.
Based in Northbrook
Our office is on Skokie Blvd, and we work across the North Shore.
Drainage planned in
Every wall is drawn with the base and drainage it needs.
A written estimate first
You know the height, materials and price before work starts.
Pricing
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost in Northbrook?
Price depends on the length and height of the wall, the material, access to the yard and how much excavation, drainage and reinforcement it needs. As a national reference, LawnStarter puts most retaining walls at about $20 to $53 per square foot of wall face, about $33 on average (market ranges, not a quote). Natural stone and taller walls that need engineering cost more.
For a price on your wall in Northbrook, send the form and we will set up a site visit and a written estimate.
Source: LawnStarter, How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? 2026
Keep exploring
Related Services
Grading & Drainage
Grading and drainage that move water away from the house, the patio and the lawn.
Grading & Drainage
Patio Installation
Paver and natural stone patios built on a compacted base, sized for dining, lounging or a fire pit.
Patio Installation
Service areas
Retaining Walls Near You on the North Shore
We build retaining walls in Northbrook and these nearby towns:
Questions
Retaining Walls FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
It depends on the village and the height and location of the wall. Northbrook and the other North Shore villages set their own rules, so checking them is part of planning every wall.
How tall can a retaining wall be?
Short walls can be built with standard block and gravel backfill. Taller walls need reinforcement and often an engineered design. On a steep slope, two shorter terraced walls are often a better choice than one tall wall.
Why is my retaining wall leaning?
Most leaning walls have a water problem: no drainage behind them, a shallow base or no reinforcement. Freeze-thaw winters make it worse every year, and a leaning wall usually needs to be rebuilt with a proper base and drainage.
Block or natural stone: which is better?
Both work when they are built on a good base with drainage. Segmental block is consistent, comes in many colors and costs less. Natural stone has a classic look that fits older North Shore homes and usually costs more.
Can a retaining wall double as seating?
Yes. A wall built at about 18 to 20 inches high with a flat cap works as a seat wall around a patio or fire pit.
How much does a retaining wall cost?
It depends on the size, height and material. National ranges from LawnStarter put most walls at about $20 to $53 per square foot of wall face. For your wall in Northbrook, send the form for a written estimate.
Free estimate
Get a Free Retaining Wall Estimate in Northbrook
Tell us about the slope or space you want to fix. We will get back to you to set up a site visit and an estimate.