Question
Hello Kevin,

My husband and I are looking to build a patio in the backyard. There is a gentle slope downwards away from the house. One of the contractors we consulted said we would require a retaining wall, the other said it was not required. A retaining wall increases the price significantly, so we were trying to determine whether it was really necessary. Is there a rule-of-thumb based on the level of the slope, or some other method, that could help us determine this? We live in Montreal, Canada.

Many thanks for your help!

Elizabeth

Answer
Hi Elizabeth. Funny, I actually used to live in Pierrefonds when I was very little. My stepmother is from laval.

If it is only a gentle slope, I really can't see you needing a retaining wall. There are usually alternatives to blending between projects and features. ( Transition zones ).

It would be tough to start making recommendations without seeing it though. Do you have a picture of the area? This would help greatly. Also, what did the other contractors say? You said there were a few.

The rule of thumb is "practical" and "functional". It always boils down to this when designing. Otherwise things end up being awkward. This may be where your contractor opted for the retaining wall. He may have felt that a small retaining wall would make a world of difference in the overall appearance and stability of the project.        


I look forward to hearing from you again.

Thanks. Kevin

Picture can be emailed to me at [email protected]