Best Retaining Wall Contractors Near Muskegon County | What to Ask First

1. Why You’re Probably Reading This (And What’s At Stake)

If you're reading this, you're probably staring at a sloped yard that’s giving you problems—or maybe you’re tired of erosion chewing away at your landscaping. Maybe water is pooling in the wrong places after every big rain. Either way, you’ve figured out that a retaining wall isn’t just about looks. It’s about keeping your property safe, usable, and low-maintenance.

But hiring someone to build one? That’s the part that can feel overwhelming.

It’s not just about finding a contractor. You need someone who gets the lay of the land (literally), understands our soil here in Muskegon County, and isn’t just going to slap up a wall and call it a day.

At Ryerson Brothers Excavating, we get why this matters. We've worked on yards just like yours across Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Newaygo Counties—and we've seen what happens when a wall is built wrong. This article isn’t a pitch. It’s a guide. We’re here to help you ask the right questions before you hire someone. Because the truth is, not all retaining walls—or contractors—are built the same.

2. What a Good Retaining Wall Is Supposed to Do

Let’s start with the basics. A retaining wall isn’t just a decorative feature. It’s a structure designed to:

• Hold back soil on slopes or uneven terrain
  

• Prevent erosion and washouts
  

• Redirect water away from problem areas
  

• Create level areas for gardens, patios, driveways, or sheds

A well-built wall lasts for decades. A bad one? It might last a couple of seasons—if you’re lucky.

3. The Real Reason Some Retaining Walls Fail in West Michigan

We’ve seen it all: leaning walls, cracked blocks, drainage pipes buried under mud, and walls that collapse within a year. Most of these failures come down to one thing: improper installation.

Here are the big problems we see over and over again in our region:

• Poor drainage: Without proper gravel backfill and drainage systems, hydrostatic pressure (water buildup behind the wall) pushes until the wall gives.
  

• No base prep: If the base isn't compacted correctly or deep enough, the wall starts to shift or sink.
  

• Wrong materials for the job: What works in Arizona doesn’t always work in Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles.

You don’t have to be a contractor to understand this—you just have to know what to ask.

4. Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any Contractor

Here are the top questions we encourage every homeowner to ask before signing a contract:

• How do you handle drainage behind the wall?
  If they don’t mention drain pipes or gravel backfill, be cautious.
  

• What kind of base material do you use—and how deep do you dig it?
  For Michigan soil, you need a deep, compacted base. Shallow bases shift over time.
  

• Do you use geogrid reinforcement for taller walls?
  Taller walls need extra support. If they skip geogrid, they’re cutting corners.
  

• Can I see photos or references from past work in Muskegon County?
  Local projects show they understand our soils, slopes, and weather.
  

• What permits are needed, and do you handle them?
  In many cases, a permit is required. A good contractor should know how to handle this.
  
  

5. How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost Near Muskegon County?

Here’s the part no one wants to guess at: the cost.

In our region, most residential retaining walls range from $4,000 to $15,000+ depending on:

• Length and height
  

• Material type (block, timber, natural stone, etc.)
  

• Site access and slope
  

• Drainage and reinforcement needs

For example, a 3-foot-high, 25-foot-long block wall with proper drainage usually falls in the $6,000–$9,000 range in Muskegon County. Natural stone can be more, and timber can be less—but it often doesn't last as long.

A good contractor will give you a written estimate—and explain what’s included and what’s not.

6. What Materials Work Best for Retaining Walls in Michigan?

Not all materials are created equal—especially when you're dealing with Michigan’s freeze-thaw winters and sandy soils. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Concrete Blocks (Segmental Block Walls)
  Most popular. Durable. Designed to lock together. Can last 40+ years with proper installation.
  

• Natural Stone
  Beautiful and long-lasting but labor-intensive and usually more expensive.
  

• Pressure-Treated Timber
  Lower cost up front, but typically only lasts 15–20 years before rotting or shifting.
  

• Poured Concrete Walls
  Strong but can crack if drainage isn’t perfect. Not as common for residential projects.

We usually recommend block or stone for long-term reliability, but the best choice depends on your property and goals.

7. Signs You’re Dealing With a Quality Contractor (Or Not)

So how do you know you’ve found someone solid?

Good contractors will:

• Show up on time and walk the site with you
  

• Ask about your goals and how you use your space
  

• Talk about soil type, drainage, and reinforcement
  

• Give you a written bid that breaks things down
  

• Provide photos of similar projects they’ve completed nearby
  

Red flags include:

• Vague pricing (“we’ll figure it out as we go”)
  

• No mention of permits or drainage
  

• No local references
  

• They rush you into signing something
  

8. Mistakes to Avoid That Could Cost You Thousands

Let’s be honest: retaining walls aren’t cheap. But the real cost shows up when corners get cut.

Here are a few mistakes we’ve seen people make before calling us to fix them:

• Hiring the lowest bidder without checking their work
  

• Skipping the drainage system to “save money”
  

• Using unreinforced blocks for a tall wall
  

• Letting a landscaper build the wall without excavation experience

Retaining walls are structures. They hold back thousands of pounds of pressure. Treating them like a backyard garden feature leads to disaster.

9. Why Local Experience Matters for Wall Projects

We’re based right here in Muskegon County, and we’ve built walls for homes across Oceana, Ottawa, and Newaygo Counties, too. We know how soft the soil gets after a big snowmelt. We know what kind of gravel drains well around here. And we’ve seen what spring rains can do if drainage isn’t perfect.

That kind of local knowledge matters. Every yard is different, but the conditions out here have some patterns. A contractor from two counties over may not know what your property really needs—and that can cost you.

10. What It’s Like to Work With Ryerson Brothers Excavating

We’re not a big outfit, and honestly, we like it that way.

When we build a retaining wall, we’re not just showing up with a machine and knocking it out fast. We’re listening to what you want your yard to do. Maybe it’s a patio you’ve always dreamed about. Maybe it’s just stopping your backyard from sliding into the neighbor’s fence. Either way, we build to fit your life—not just your property line.

You’ll always deal with the same small team, and we’re not afraid to talk through every step—because if it were our yard, we’d want to know too.

11. Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Hire Fast — Hire Smart

Retaining walls might look simple when they’re done—but there’s nothing simple about building one the right way.

If you’re in Muskegon County (or anywhere nearby), and you’re thinking about hiring someone, slow down for just a second. Ask the questions. Look at the work. Trust your gut.

Because a wall done right should last decades. A wall done fast might not last the winter.

If you want to talk through your options, we’re happy to walk your site, explain the pros and cons, and help you make a choice that feels right for your home—and your budget.