Retaining walls hold back soil, water, and gravity — and the ones that fail almost always failed at drainage, not at the block. We build walls with the reinforcement, backfill, and drainage that keep them standing decades after the pretty face has weathered in.

Category

Design + Build
Service Area

Kootenai, Bonner and Spokane Counties
Consultation

Free, on site
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Retaining Walls at a glance
Service	Retaining Walls
Category	Design + Build
Built by	Cross Creek Landscape Design + Build
Based in	Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Project photos	13
Answered questions	13

Retaining Wall Construction in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

A retaining wall is a structural element wearing a decorative face. The block you see is the least important part of it — what determines whether the wall is standing in twenty years is the drainage behind it, the compaction beneath it, and the reinforcement through it. Cross Creek builds walls that are engineered before they are styled.

Why retaining walls fail

No drainage behind the wall. Saturated soil exerts far more pressure than dry soil, and in a freeze-thaw climate that water expands. This is the single most common cause of failure.
Inadequate base — insufficient depth or poor compaction lets the wall settle unevenly.
No geogrid reinforcement on walls tall enough to require it.
Backfilled with native soil instead of free-draining aggregate.
No consideration of surcharge — a driveway, structure, or slope above the wall dramatically changes the load.

What proper construction involves

Excavation to competent soil and a compacted aggregate base below frost consideration, a level first course set precisely because every course above inherits its errors, free-draining backfill with drain rock and perforated pipe daylighted to somewhere useful, geogrid reinforcement layered into the backfill where height and load require it, and proper batter so the wall leans into the slope it is holding. None of that is visible when we finish. All of it is why the wall stays put.

Height, engineering, and permits

Walls above a certain height, or walls carrying a surcharge such as a driveway or structure above them, generally require engineered design and permitting — and the specific thresholds vary by jurisdiction between Kootenai County, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, and Post Falls. We identify what your wall requires and handle the process rather than building first and discovering later. Tiered walls have their own rules; two short walls stacked close together can behave as one tall wall structurally.

Material options

Segmental block is the workhorse — engineered, consistent, wide range of finishes, and designed with the reinforcement systems that make tall walls possible. Natural stone gives a timeless look at higher cost. Boulder walls suit larger, more naturalistic sites and can be striking on the right property. We match the wall to the site, the load, and the architecture.

What drives the cost

Height above all — cost per square foot climbs steeply as engineering and reinforcement requirements kick in. Then: total wall length, site access for equipment and material, how much excavation and export the job requires, drainage complexity, whether the wall carries a surcharge, material selection, and whether steps, caps, or lighting are integrated. A three-foot garden wall and an eight-foot engineered wall are different categories of work.

Request a design consultation and we will assess the slope, the loads, and what your site actually needs.

Reviewed by Randy McCabe, Owner Cross Creek Landscape Design + Build · Updated August 27, 2026

Our Work

Retaining Walls Gallery

Boulder retaining wall — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Retaining wall with staircase — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Retaining wall with steps — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Retaining wall block — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Retaining wall lights — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Boulder retaining wall lined with landscape lighting — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Retaining wall block with steps — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Wall block retaining wall that curves with the slope — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Small retaining wall for walkway — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Wall block retaining wall and staircase — Retaining Walls by Cross Creek

Common Questions

Retaining Walls FAQs

We have a big project, but our budget only allows us to do part of it this year. How do you handle that?

That is not a problem at all. Many of our clients choose to do their landscape project in phases. If we know in the beginning that you would like to phase out your project, we can work with you on the best way to split the design so that it fits your budget for this year, and then plan the second half for next year.

We have some existing materials. Can we use those still if we hire you for the design and construction?

Generally, yes, we are able to use existing materials. Please let us know when you contact us if you have existing materials that you would like to use, and that will help us get an accurate quote for you.

How can I reserve a spot for next year?

We would love to get you on our calendar for next year! The first step would be to contact our office so we can take you through the design process. Once that is completed and you've signed off on the design, we normally request a deposit to reserve your spot with us.

Do you do concrete curbing?

We are a general contractor, so typically we hire subcontractors for certain types of work, which in our case would include concrete curbing. If you have a larger project, we would be happy to talk to you about how we can help coordinate all the work that goes into a complete landscape design so that you don't have to worry about any of that.

My project is small, but I really like your company, and would love to work with you. Do you take on smaller projects?

We do actually have a waiting list of smaller projects, and we would love to hear from you if you would like to work with our company. What we will do is save your information, and in the Fall or off-season if we have openings we will give you a call.

I have no idea what I want yet. Is it worth starting the process now?

Absolutely! Starting now can give you first pick on next year's calendar. If you're not ready to build yet we encourage getting a good design in place so that you can know what to expect. Please give us a call. We would be thrilled to walk you through ideas and concepts - we have lots of ideas!

How far will you travel?

Our main work takes place in Spokane and Kootenai counties. We also work in Bonner's County, ID. If you are in any of the neighboring counties and have a project that you are looking for help with, we would love to hear from you.

What style do you specialize in?

Because we are a custom builder, we have the great joy of adapting to your unique style. Although we recommend plants that are native to the Northwest, all of our builds are customized to your specific dream for the space. Our goal is to bring your ideas to life, the sky is the limit!

What do your services include?

Great question! Our specialty is in landscape design and build, so generally spaces that benefit from a design in order to ensure that your backyard makeover comes to life exactly as you imagined it. We handle everything from the survey, to drawing up the design and blueprints, to the construction and final install. We do not provide lawn care maintenance, but we are happy to provide referrals.

How long does it take for you to finish a design?

Our typical design phase is approximately two weeks from the day we come take a survey. It can be faster, or longer depending on the size of the space we are designing and how many changes we discuss making along the way. But we will communicate throughout the process and work with you to provide the most efficient and streamlined service possible.

How much do you charge for a consultation?

We offer free in-person consultations, and would love to come to your project location and talk you through your design ideas together and give you a better idea of the scope and budget required to build your dream outdoor space.

We have some design ideas, and/or AI photos of what we are looking for. Do you accept concept photos?

Yes, absolutely! We love when you bring your own designs and concept photos, and encourage you to share those with us during the process so we can collaborate and bring our unique human touch and expertise to your ideas.

Do you have any spots left in the year 2026?

Yes! We have a limited few spots left. We fill up our spots on a first-come first-serve basis, and things can change quickly so we recommend that you call our office at (208) 518-9480 as we would love to hear about your project!

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