Hardscape / Valley Vista
Block Walls
Block perimeter walls, privacy walls and stone columns built on proper footings and finished to match the house.
What we do
Block walls draw the edges of a property. They give privacy from the street, close off a yard so it feels like a room rather than an open field, and mark an entrance where a driveway meets the road. Columns do the same work vertically, and they change how a frontage reads more than almost anything else.
How we build it
Footings go in below grade and are sized for the wall they carry. Block is laid to line, reinforced and grouted where the design calls for it, then finished in stucco, stone facing or a colour matched to the house. Caps go on to shed water rather than let it sit in the top course.
What to expect
A wall that stands straight, matches the property instead of fighting it, and does not need attention. We handle the setback and height questions before the build, so nothing has to come back down.
What it costs
$35 - $70 per linear foot
Standard block wall, installed. Stucco and veneer finishes sit at the upper end.
What moves the number
- Wall height and course count
- Footing depth and trenching conditions
- Stucco, veneer or split-face finish
- Gates, columns and returns
Ranges are for planning only. Every quote is priced from a site visit.
How long it takes
- Estimate and design
- 1 - 2 weeks
- Scheduling
- 2 - 4 weeks out
- On site
- 3 days - 1 week
Permits and HOA approval
A wall on a property line usually needs a permit and a survey establishing where that line actually is. We will tell you before we quote whether yours does.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a block wall?
Often, and it depends on the height, the location on the lot and the city. Perimeter and privacy walls frequently need one. We confirm the requirement for your address before work starts and handle the process, because a wall built without approval can become an expensive thing to undo.
How is a block wall different from a retaining wall?
A block wall is freestanding. It divides space and gives privacy, but it does not hold back grade. A retaining wall carries the load of soil behind it, which means footings, backfill and drainage all get designed for that pressure. The two look similar and are built quite differently.
Can you match my neighbourhood wall style?
Yes, and in most communities you will want to. We match block profile, height, cap detail and stucco colour to what is already running along the street, so the new section reads as part of the original rather than as an obvious repair or addition.
What about columns at the driveway entrance?
Columns are one of the highest impact things you can add to a frontage for the money. Set either side of a drive, faced in stone and capped, they give a property a clear point of arrival. They also pair well with lighting, which we can sleeve for during the build.
