Engineered Retaining Wall Installation
All of the following pictures are from our projects.
Heavy-Duty Verti-Block™ Retaining Wall Systems
Verti-Block™ is a hollow-core, interlocking concrete system engineered for massive structural strength, making it ideal for tall slopes and walkout basements. We were asked to design and build this heavy duty solution along the Flint River to shore up a cemetery riverbank erosion problem. (Natural Color Pictured)
Pole Barn Pad Retaining Wall
This pole barn pad in Clarkston looks fantastic and will last forever. We graded, added fill and leveled an area for a 40x40 Pole Barn. Downspout drains were pre-installed for the new build. (Buff Color Pictured)
Three Tier Retaining Wall
New construction retention wall with three tiers of Verti‑Block. We can custom design a solution to suit almost any requirement. This was a Bloomfield Hills project with plenty of requirements. (Buff Color Pictured)
Lakefront Elevated Patio
We designed and built this beautiful retaining wall with steps and an exposed aggregate concrete patio. It looks amazing in person when viewed from the shore of Otter Lake. (Buff Color Pictured)
3D Design of Your Project
We can provide design models to help you visualize your solution. If you have an existing survey contour drawing we can easily model the surrounding terrain. This image is the model for the previous lakefront patio shown.
Long Sweeping Shapes
We demolished an aging rotten timber wall with ugly right angle sections that was over twelve feet in elevation in Grand Blanc. The new Verti-Block wall we installed had a subtle sweeping curve that surpassed our client's expectations. Their friends said the new space looks like a resort! (Natural Color Pictured)
Elegant Landscape Retaining Walls
This project transformed an estate area in Oakland Township into a grand outdoor event space. Along with building the retaining walls, we did a lot of grading, added a cul-de-sac and a parking area also. There are no limits for your imagination! (Buff Color Pictured)
Beautiful Pool Retention Walls
This high end pool required a high end solution. We used a course of mass extender blocks with walls on two sides. Our Clarkston client was ecstatic with the quick results. (Buff Color Pictured)
Shed Pad Simple Solution
This Brandon Township project included a level pad and retaining wall for a hillside shed. The versatility of Verti-Block makes quick and long lasting work for many applications. (Buff Color Pictured)
Integrated Drain System
Every Verti‑Block wall can have an integrated drain under the first course which will eliminate major wall failures due to freezing and thawing. The hollow block walls are filled with crushed stone which allows excess water to easily drain. This was on a large horse estate in Groveland Township.(Natural Color Pictured)
Driveway Retaining Wall Solution
We can build a long lasting retaining wall that looks attractive and will not provide nooks and crannies for chipmunks and woodchucks. Verti‑Block is an interlocking design and each standard block weighs 1700 lbs! Another Clarkston, MI beauty.(Buff Color Pictured)
Retaining Wall Step Systems
Matching attractive steps are part of the Verti‑Block System. These steps are standard tread height and add function and beauty to your landscape. Steps are available in 4' and 6' widths. We set the steps on the same bed of crushed stone. (Buff Color Pictured)
Garage Retaining Wall
We replaced a rotting timber retaining wall with Verti-Block at this Davison home. The old walls were washing out and the footings of the garage were in jeopardy. A good looking solution that will last a lifetime! (Natural Concrete Color Pictured)
Walkout Basement Retaining Walls
Retaining wall problems are solved once and for all. This Pine Knob Road walkout basement wall and drainage issues are permanently fixed with resloping of terrain along with integrated french drains. We can integrate with your existing drains or replace with new drains. You have options! (Buff Color Pictured)
Retention Wall and Steps
Quick solution to a long standing problem in White Lake. This client had a boulder wall that was continuously failing near his deck. We replaced the wall, added steps and repaired a lingering septic line issue while we were there. (Buff Color Pictured)
Septic Field Retention Walls
We installed this 70' long wall to replace a rotten timber wall that was supporting a septic field in Ortonville. Vastly improved the view as well. Click here to see a Monster Engineered Septic Wall that we built. (Natural Color Pictured)
Improve and Beautify Your Landscape
We demolished a hodge podge collection of timber, boulders, steel fenceposts and sagging wooden steps in Oxford. The new install was a beautiful sweeping Verti-Block wall that the owners are ecstatic about. (Buff Color Pictured)
Solving Funky Problems
This was a tricky project. An old cinder block wall was crumbling and threatening to collapse the car port in Brandon. We were able to squeeze in a Verti-Block wall that solved the problem and greatly improved the view at this lakefront home. (Buff Color Pictured)
Walkout Basement Wing Walls
We replaced a pair of rotting, poorly installed 4x4 timber retaining walls with these two 30' walls in Oxford. We also regraded and seeded the back yard. The owner was beyond satisfied with the results! (Buff Color Pictured)
Solving Multiple Problems
This project entailed solving several issues. We replaced a failing pressure treated timber wall and rotting steps, rerouted rainwater to a large catch basin, re-graded the back yard and repaired sprinklers. We also planted trees, shrubs and installed sod. This was a tricky project near Goodison. (Buff Color Pictured)
Maximize Your Living Space
We squeezed new walls, deck and a terrace into this 45' wide lakefront in Waterford. The project entailed removal of rotted timber walls and digging several large stumps. What a great way to add function and value to a small lake property!(Buff Color Pictured)
Swimming Pool Retention
We created a space for a pre-fab swimming pool. This required considerable soil removal and an upper and lower retention wall. Permitting was tight as we had to avoid wetland buffer area as well in Independence Township(Natural Color Pictured)
Quick and Robust Wall
This project was for a storage facility in Holly. They had a rotted timber wall with a fence that was failing and jeopardized some storage spaces. We were able to solve the problem quickly and permanently. (Natural Color Pictured)
Two Tiered Landscape
We replaced a failing timber wall with this 70' long retention wall. In additon we excavated a wider back yard area to allow for a Lacrosse/Cornhole area in Clarkston. (Buff Color Pictured)
Stronger Than Boulder Retaining Walls
This 80' long beauty in Groveland Township is exactly what this beachfront needed! Look closely at the picture and you can see the structural difference of stone walls next to Verti-Block. The blocks are available in natural concrete (pictured here) and buff color. Special corner blocks and half blocks allow for a cohesive layout. Blocks can also be stained for a unique custom look. (Natural Color Pictured)
Michigan Building Permits & Project Management
In Michigan, structural retaining walls taller than 48 inches require an official building permit to ensure safety and structural integrity. As a Michigan licensed builder, Always Sharp LLC manages this entire process for you—handling local municipal paperwork and coordinating directly with trusted, subcontracted structural engineers to get your site plans approved and sealed.
Need Full Site Preparation?
Because structural earth retention requires specialized machinery, laser-guided grading, and deep sub-site preparation, we manage your entire project from the ground up. View our heavy equipment capabilities on our Excavation Services Page.
Engineered Retaining Wall Construction Across North & West Oakland County
If your existing timber, boulder, or cinder block wall is bowing, cracking, or washing away, you need a permanent structural fix that handles Michigan’s intense freeze-thaw cycles. Always Sharp LLC provides engineered, heavy-duty Verti-Block and Redi-Rock installations for residential, waterfront, and commercial properties throughout North and West Oakland County.
As licensed builders, we manage the entire project from start to finish—fluidly coordinating your structural walls with our high-production precision excavation and heavy bulldozing services or full-scale licensed septic system installations. We handle all site clearing, old wall demolition, structural engineering, grading, and municipal building permits for walls exceeding 48 inches.
We proudly deliver permanent earth-retention, Redi-Wall solutions, and erosion control to property owners in:
- Ortonville & Groveland Township: Local, family-owned site preparation, walk-out basement support, and durable pole barn pad retention using premium large block systems.
- Clarkston & Independence Township: Premium engineered lakefront patio walls, driveway stabilization, and steep-grade terracing utilizing Verti-Block or Redi-Rock setups.
- Oakland Township & Goodison: High-end estate land contouring, complex multi-tiered structural retention, deep slope stabilization, and premium engineered neighborhood hardscapes.
- Holly & Holly Township: Large acreage slope stabilization, outbuilding pad retention, rural grade leveling, and durable multi-tier wet-cast block setups.
- White Lake Township: Waterfront erosion control, lakeside elevated patios, shoreline stabilization, and zero-tail-swing tight residential retaining walls.
- Milford & Milford Township: Custom home structural site retention, deep foundation wing-walls, commercial parking lot structural support, and engineered block infrastructure.
- Oxford & Addison Township: Heavy-duty land shaping, pool retention walls, and commercial parking lot structural support designed for heavy load limits.
- Lake Orion & Orion Township: Waterfront property environmental grading, riverbank stabilization, and mass-extender septic field containment walls built to withstand fluctuating water tables.
Retaining Wall FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need a building permit for a retaining wall in Michigan?
Walls taller than 48 inches require a building permit and structural engineering. As a licensed builder, Always Sharp LLC handles all necessary engineering, structural specs, and municipal permitting for your project.
What types of block systems does Always Sharp LLC use?
We specialize in large-format, wet-cast block systems, serving as authorized installers for both Verti-Block and Redi-Rock. We utilize interlocking hollow and solid-core blocks filled with crushed stone, with standard blocks weighing anywhere from 1,200 to over 2,000 lbs depending on the project specs. The systems include matching steps, sweeping curves, and half blocks available in natural concrete or stainable buff finishes.
How do you prevent retaining walls from shifting or collapsing during winter?
To counter Michigan's brutal freeze-thaw cycles, we install an integrated under-course drainage system behind every wall. This eliminates hydro-static water pressure and prevents water from trapping and freezing, stopping long-term shifting, bowing, or catastrophic wall blowouts.
Please give us a call or fill out a Quote Request to get started on your "Always Sharp" project.
Engineered Retaining Wall Project in Clarkston, MI
"Chad and Randy did an AWESOME job on our retaining wall that presented many challenges. From the timely initial visit and quote, to the design and all the problems our grade and slope created, they were THE BEST. They remained helpful and extremely easy to work with. The wall was perfect in every aspect. Thank you, Chad and Randy!"— Verified Client Review | Clarkston, MI | Retaining Wall Project by Always Sharp LLC
Authorized Verti‑Block Installer
