Retaining Wall Material Cost
Armour stone for a retaining wall typically runs $80-$102 per ton for standard sizes, with specialty and oversized pieces up to $325 per ton, and the total tonnage needed depends on wall length, height, and stone size. As a rough estimate, a 4-foot-tall, 20-foot-long wall built with medium armour stone often needs 15-25 tons of material.
This is the material half of the project — the excavation and installation labor is priced separately and typically needs an operator with the right equipment to place stone accurately and build proper drainage behind the wall.
Get a direct quote from Natural Stone Source Ontario for your wall's stone. Need an operator to build it? See Retaining Wall Cost (Material + Install) on Pro Operator Network.
How Retaining Wall Material Pricing Works
Wall stone is sold by weight. Most approved armour stone runs $80 to $102 per ton, with specialty and skidded selections up to $325 per ton. Sawn wallstone, cut to consistent dimensions such as 7x8, 12x12, 7x16x32 and 16x18, is a separate product at $406.88 to $500 per ton. The premium reflects the sawing and the tighter, more uniform courses it produces.
Sawn armour finished on multiple faces is quoted by the square foot from $100 to $137.50, and edging courses by the lineal foot at $31.25.
Choosing the Right Size
Approved armour runs from 9 through 40 inch face heights and in 1-3, 2-4, 2-7 and 3-7 ton graded weights, in light, medium and dark grey, brown and weathered finishes. Sawn wallstone is stocked in fixed dimensions where a formal, uniform wall is wanted.
Match the course to finished height. Under 24 inches, a single course of 9 to 14 inch stone on compacted granular. Between 24 and 36 inches, 18 to 24 inch stone in two courses with the base course partly buried. Above 36 inches, 24 inch or heavier with drainage and geotextile behind the wall. Anything over four feet, or retaining a driveway or structure, should be engineered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does retaining wall stone cost per ton?
Most approved armour stone is $80 to $102 per ton. Sawn wallstone, which is cut to uniform dimensions, is $406.88 to $500 per ton. The difference reflects the sawing and the tighter courses the finished product allows.
Is armour stone or sawn wallstone better for a retaining wall?
Armour stone gives a natural, heavier look at a lower cost per ton and suits most residential walls. Sawn wallstone costs considerably more but stacks to consistent, uniform courses, which suits formal settings and tighter tolerances.
How do I estimate how much stone I need?
Work from total stone height, not visible height, because roughly a third of the base course is buried. Multiply wall length by total height for face area, then convert to tonnage once the course size is set, since coverage per ton varies with stone size and density.
Do I need engineering for my wall?
Any wall over about four feet, or any wall retaining a driveway, structure or slope above it, should be engineered. Local building departments in Ontario often require drawings above that height. This is a design requirement, not an upsell.