Basic step by step guide for your own DIY retaining wall:

What you need:

  • Spirit Level
  • Tape Measure
  • 2 Wooden Pegs
  • Reel of String
  • Piece of 1503mm Timber
  • Adequate Cement
  • Wheelbarrow or Cement Mixer
  • Adequate Panels and Posts

What to do:

1. Decide where

First, you will need to decide where to install the first post. Usually it is in a corner, against a fence or a building

4. Dig the hole

Begin digging the first hole next to the first peg. Make sure to line it up so that the centre of the hole lines up with the string above it.

7. Mix the cement

Place 6 parts clean sand to every 1 part cement into a wheelbarrow or cement mixer. Add water to achieve the correct consistency.

10. Repeat

Repeat the same steps as before and continue until all of your posts are installed, ensuring to always check against your string line.

2. String line 1.0

Tie the string to the end of a peg and place it in the ground. Make sure the string is tied at the same height the wall will be.

5. Place post in the hole

Next, place the first post into the hole and line it up with the string line, make sure the string runs directly across the middle of the post.

8. Fill the hole

Fill the entire hole with this mix all the way up to ground level. Be careful not to splash any mixture onto the panel above ground level.

11. Add the panels

Once all your posts are in, you are ready to slide in the panels. Always do this on the same day that the posts were installed.

3. String line 2.0

Measure the length of the wall and place a peg at the end. Tie the string tightly to the top of the peg at the same height.

6. Straighten post

Hold your spirit level up to the side of the post and lean the front of the post back slowly until the bubble on the spirit level comes to the line.

9. Install the next post

Use a piece of timber as a spacer to measure the distance to the next post. The length of the timber will very but will usually be 1503mm.

12. All done

When all panels are in, make sure to remove 50mm of concrete from the front of the post to ensure that brick paving, lawn or plants won’t interfere with it later.