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Retaining Wall by JL Masonry in Franklin, MA
Free Estimates MA HIC Registered Franklin, MA

Franklin's Trusted Retaining Wall Specialists

Serving Franklin Center, Unionville, and all of Franklin, MA. MA HIC registered, insured, and built to last every Massachusetts winter.

5.0 · 47+ Google reviews
No deposit · No pressure
Free · No Obligation

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You can also reach us directly:

(617) 913-9845

contact@jlmasonryma.com

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Recent Retaining Wall Work

Real retaining walls we've built around Franklin

See all retaining wall work
Tall block retaining wall along a property line, mid-construction
JL Masonry
Block retaining wall
Fieldstone retaining wall with integrated steps along a yard edge
JL Masonry
Fieldstone retaining wall + steps
Fieldstone foundation wall capped with bluestone
JL Masonry
Fieldstone foundation wall
Stone retaining wall with granite step transitions
JL Masonry
Stone retaining wall + steps
Retaining Wall in Franklin, MA

A retaining wall contractor that knows Franklin

When we take on a retaining wall project in Franklin, the first thing we factor in is the local soil: rocky uplands with clay in low areas. Combined with inland cold pockets in winter, this dictates how we engineer the base and joints. The result is a retaining wall that performs the way it's supposed to — for decades.

We're based in Woburn and reach Franklin on a regular schedule. That means same-day callbacks, on-site estimates within 48 hours, and crews that know which materials handle Norfolk County conditions best.

Common retaining wall problems in Franklin

  • Existing wall is leaning, bulging, or showing failed courses
  • Slope behind house is eroding and threatening foundation
  • Need terraced gardens or usable yard space on a sloped lot
  • Driveway edge needs retention to prevent grade collapse
  • Old railroad-tie wall is rotting and needs permanent replacement

Materials we use

  • Segmental block (Versa-Lok, Unilock, Allan Block)
  • Boulder retaining walls (locally sourced)
  • Natural stone (fieldstone, granite)
  • Poured-in-place concrete with stone veneer
  • Geogrid reinforcement layers

What we inspect

  • Footing depth below frost line (48")
  • Drainage tile behind wall (perforated pipe in crushed stone)
  • Geotextile separator between backfill and native soil
  • Geogrid reinforcement layers (mandatory above 4 feet)
  • Backfill compaction in lifts (max 8" per pass)

How we approach a retaining wall project in Franklin

  1. 1Site visit at your Franklin home — typically within 48 hours of your call.
  2. 2Plan and price in writing — materials, scope, schedule, and a firm number you can budget against.
  3. 3Hand-laid build — same crew from estimate to final clean-up, never sub-contracted out.
  4. 4Backed by a written warranty plus the local reputation of a Woburn-based shop that's been around since 2010.

Retaining Wall questions, answered

How tall can a retaining wall be?
We build walls from 2 feet (garden walls) up to 12+ feet (engineered terraces). Walls over 4 feet require an engineer's stamp and permit.
What's the most important part of a retaining wall?
What you can't see — drainage. A wall without proper perforated drain tile, crushed-stone backfill, and geotextile separator will fail within 5–10 years no matter how good the face stone looks.
Can you build into a slope or only against existing soil?
Both. We can cut into a hillside for a benched terrace or build a freestanding wall to create a level yard above grade. Each requires different drainage and structural approach.

Ready to start your Franklin retaining wall project?

Whether you're in Franklin Center or Unionville, we'd love to walk your property and give you an honest quote. No deposit, no obligation, no high-pressure sales — just a real number from real masons.