Basic
$15 – $33 per sq ft
Straight-face gray segmental block up to about 4 ft, compacted gravel leveling pad, drainage aggregate, perforated pipe, caps
How Much Does Retaining Wall Block Cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
Build a segmental concrete block retaining wall up to about 4 ft with gravel base, drainage aggregate and caps, per sq ft of wall face, materials and labor.
Retaining Wall Block in Des Moines, Iowa typically costs $17 to $38 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Retaining Wall Block in Des Moines, Iowa
$17 – $38
per sq ftPrices in Des Moines are 3.0% lower than the national average for retaining wall block.
National average: $18 – $40 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$17 – $38 per sq ft
Split-face blended-color segmental block, gravel pad, geogrid where height requires, drainage aggregate, pipe and glued caps
Premium
$22 – $48 per sq ft
Tumbled multi-tone stone-look segmental block, gravel pad, geogrid as required, drain aggregate, pipe, filter fabric, caps
Cost Breakdown in Des Moines
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $7.61 – $17 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $6.30 – $14 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $2.03 – $4.51 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $1.35 – $3.01 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Des Moines local market conditions.
Retaining Wall Block photo examples
Stacked concrete retaining wall blocks close up
Photo: U3211603 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
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Cost Factors in Des Moines, Iowa
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($8.10-$17.60 per square foot)
- Labor ($6.30-$14.40 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($2.16-$4.80 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($1.44-$3.20 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs6.0% below avg
Labor costsAt national average
Labor costs in Des Moines run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How we price this
BuildX Pro researches and reviews the national price range for Retaining Wall Block, then adjusts it to your ZIP code for local labor and material costs using the public data below. Last checked Nov 2026.
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Des Moines
Connect with local retaining wall block contractors in Des Moines for personalized quotes based on your specific project.