Basic
$29 – $74 per sq ft
Dry-stacked irregular fieldstone with a slight backward batter, compacted gravel base, drainage aggregate behind the wall
How Much Does Stone Retaining Wall Cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
Build a natural stone (dry-stack or mortared) retaining wall up to about 4 ft tall, priced per sq ft of wall face, including base, drainage aggregate and labor; engineering for walls over 4 ft extra.
Stone Retaining Wall in Des Moines, Iowa typically costs $34 to $86 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Stone Retaining Wall in Des Moines, Iowa
$34 – $86
per sq ftPrices in Des Moines are 3.0% lower than the national average for stone retaining wall.
National average: $35 – $90 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$34 – $86 per sq ft
Dry-laid split-face sandstone wall stones in rough courses, compacted base, drainage aggregate and perforated drain pipe
Premium
$42 – $108 per sq ft
Squared, tightly coursed natural stone with cut flat capstones, compacted base, drainage aggregate, perforated pipe and filter fabric
Cost Breakdown in Des Moines
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $15 – $38 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $12 – $32 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $3.95 – $10 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $2.63 – $6.77 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Des Moines local market conditions.
Stone Retaining Wall photo examples
Coursed sandstone block retaining wall above a grassy slope
Photo: HomeSpot HQ · CC BY 2.0 · Source
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Cost Factors in Des Moines, Iowa
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($15.75-$40.50 per square foot)
- Labor ($12.25-$31.50 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($4.20-$10.80 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($2.80-$7.20 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
References
- Stone Retaining Wall Cost in the US: 2026 | found.rocks, found.rocks, retrieved 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 stone retaining wall contractors in Des Moines for personalized quotes based on your specific project.