Serrato Builders is Sylmar's trusted C-8 licensed retaining wall contractor. We specialize in CMU retaining walls, structural retaining walls, hillside retaining walls, concrete block retaining walls, and garden retaining walls. Licensed, bonded, and insured — we pull permits and build walls that hold back earth for decades.
Sylmar's hillside terrain makes retaining walls a necessity for many properties. Whether you need to create usable yard space on a sloped lot, prevent soil erosion, or build a structural retaining wall for a hillside home, Serrato Builders has the expertise to do it right. Our C-8 license (#1115625) covers structural concrete and masonry work — including engineered retaining walls that stand up to the pressures of soil, water, and time.
A retaining wall is more than stacked blocks. It's an engineered structure that must account for soil weight, hydrostatic pressure, drainage, and seismic forces. We build every retaining wall with proper footings, reinforcement, drainage systems, and backfill — ensuring your wall stays strong and stable for decades.
Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) retaining walls are the gold standard for strength and durability. We build CMU walls with reinforced concrete footings, vertical rebar, grout-filled cells, and proper drainage behind the wall. Whether you need a 3-foot garden wall or a 10-foot structural hillside wall, our CMU retaining walls are engineered to handle the load.
Sylmar's hillside properties present unique challenges. Steep slopes, soil types, and drainage patterns all affect retaining wall design. We've built retaining walls on some of Sylmar's most challenging terrain — and we know what it takes to get it right. Every hillside wall includes proper drainage (weep holes, gravel backfill, or French drains), reinforced footings, and engineering to handle the specific soil conditions on your property.
The #1 reason retaining walls fail is poor drainage. Water builds up behind the wall, creates hydrostatic pressure, and eventually pushes the wall over or causes it to crack. We build drainage into every retaining wall we construct — gravel backfill, filter fabric, weep holes, and when needed, French drains or area drains tied to the stormwater system. A well-drained retaining wall is a wall that lasts.
In Los Angeles, retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing) require a permit and structural engineering. Walls under 4 feet may not need a permit, but we always recommend checking. We handle the entire permitting process for you.
Retaining wall costs depend on height, length, soil conditions, access, and whether engineering is required. A small garden wall might cost $3,000-$8,000, while a large structural hillside wall can be $20,000-$100,000+. We provide detailed estimates after assessing your property.
A properly built CMU retaining wall with good drainage can last 50-100+ years. The key factors are proper engineering, quality materials, adequate drainage, and solid construction — all of which we provide on every project.
Get your free retaining wall estimate today. We'll visit your Sylmar property, assess the site, and provide a detailed quote.