Retaining Wall Quote Template
Free retaining wall quote template for timber, concrete sleeper, and block retaining walls. Includes materials, drainage, and engineering requirements.
▶ Watch a real retaining wall quote built in under a minute
Or try it on the web →This retaining wall quote template is for landscapers pricing jobs for residential or light commercial sites. It works for common timber sleeper, concrete sleeper, or block walls up to about 1.2 metres high. The biggest mistakes tradies make are under-quoting soil removal and forgetting to price proper drainage behind the wall. Get those two items right and the job stays profitable from the start. This retaining wall quote template helps you factor in every cost, so you can send the quote with confidence and protect your margin on the job.
Calculating Your Retaining Wall Costs per Metre
A standard treated pine sleeper wall costs about $350-$450 per square metre. A concrete sleeper wall is closer to $500-$650 per square metre. These prices include materials and labour. Your material costs are straightforward: a 200x75mm treated pine sleeper from Bunnings is about $30 for a 2.4m length, while galvanised steel H-posts are around $100 for a similar length. The real variable is labour. Budget for two labourers, as moving posts and sleepers is not a one-person job. Factor in at least 1.5 labour hours per lineal metre for a simple wall on a flat, accessible site. Add a 10% waste factor on materials and a separate line item for tip fees.
What Most Blokes Forget on a Retaining Wall Quote
Site access and spoil removal are the two biggest costs left off quotes. If you can’t get a mini-digger in, you’re digging post holes by hand, which can double your labour time. Price that accordingly. Drainage is another one. Don't just quote for the ag pipe and gravel. You need to quote for the extra excavation to place it correctly, plus the geotextile fabric from a supplier like CSR to stop it from clogging. Finally, any wall over one metre high in most council areas needs engineering and a permit. This can add $1,500 to $2,500 to the job before you even break ground. All drainage should comply with AS 4678.
Materials Included
- Retaining wall blocks or sleepers
- Steel posts (galvanised H-beams)
- Concrete footings
- Drainage gravel and ag pipe
- Geotextile fabric
- Backfill material
Quoting Steps
- 1Measure wall length, height, and access
- 2Choose wall type (timber, block, concrete sleeper)
- 3Calculate post spacing and footing depth
- 4Add drainage behind wall
- 5Include engineering certification if over 600mm
- 6Generate quote with materials and labour
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard rule is one-third of the post length goes in the ground. For a 1.8m post holding a 1.2m wall, you'll have 600mm in the ground. A 300mm wide hole needs about two 20kg bags of concrete mix from a supplier like Bunnings per post. Always follow the engineer's specs if they are provided.
Yes, unless the excavated soil is suitable, which it rarely is. Clean, free-draining backfill like sand or gravel is a material cost you must include. You'll need to quote for its supply and delivery from a local landscape supplier. Expect to pay around $70-$90 per cubic metre plus delivery fees.
It varies by council, but a common trigger is any wall over one metre in height, or a wall built close to a property boundary. Always check the local council's development control plan online before finalising your quote. Quoting for a permit application and engineering drawings is a separate line item that can add thousands.
QuoteMate is an AI-powered quoting app that helps landscapers create professional quotes in under 2 minutes. Describe any landscaping job, and the AI suggests materials with real-time pricing from major Australian suppliers. Send branded PDF quotes via email, SMS, or WhatsApp.
QuoteMate covers all types of landscaping jobs including Garden design and planting, Retaining wall construction, Paving and pathways, Turf laying, Irrigation installation, Mulching and soil preparation. You can also describe any custom job and the AI will suggest appropriate materials and quantities.
Landscapers typically quote between $1,000 – $60,000 depending on the scope of work. QuoteMate ensures every quote is accurate with real-time material pricing and proper GST calculations.
QuoteMate offers a free 7-day trial so you can create quotes immediately — no credit card required. Pro plans start at $49/month or $328/year (save 44%) for unlimited quotes, invoicing, and all premium features.