National Average Improvement and Repair Cost
Pro
DIY
Hours:
34.7
50
Cost:
$ 3477
$ 1750
Would you do this project? According to our survey, 54% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.
The average price to Build a Stone Wall noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.
How much is a stone wall? A landscaper charges $3,477 to build a stone wall but you can do the job for $1,750 and save 49 percent.
A stone wall surrounding a country home is an enduring feature of the landscape in many rural areas of the country. A rugged wall creates a boundary with an appealing natural material, and it’s a great way to edge a lawn, divide a landscape or create a focal point.
Because of its popular appeal, landscape and garden centers are offering more stone materials than ever before. Some stone walls are built wet with mortar, but a dry-stacked wall without mortar is a more attainable goal for a do-it-yourselfer.
A landscaper will charge $3,477 to build a 35-foot-long, 3-foot-high dry-stacked stone wall, which includes the labor and material. You can build it yourself for $1,750, the cost of the stones, and save 49 percent.
The weight of the stones is the issue with this project so be cautious where you have them delivered; moving them is a strenuous job.
Since building a stone wall involves strength and stamina, you might want to stagger the project over a period of time. The job involves several phases: laying out the location for the wall, digging a trench, setting the foundation stones, and the ”puzzle” phase, which takes the longest.
That’s because it involves creating the wall with different sizes and shapes of stones that fit together in a stable arrangement. Each stone is unique in size and shape so it’s time-consuming, but worthwhile to trial-test how they fit together. If you want to make it fanciful, leave some empty spaces between the stones, and tuck in colorful flowering plants or a low-growing ground cover.
To build a stacked stone wall, you’ll need a carpenter’s level, tape measure, shovel, and a wheelbarrow to move the stones.
The average price to build a stone wall noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.
