Free Retaining Wall Estimate Spreadsheet (Excel & Google Sheets)

Download for Excel (.xlsx)Make a copy in Google Sheets

Google Sheets: click Make a copy and the spreadsheet opens in your own Google Drive, ready to edit. No sign-up beyond your Google account.

Or import the .xlsx: File → Import → Upload.

What the spreadsheet calculates

The workbook calculates costs from unrounded quantities and shows rounded quantities for reading and ordering. The US 30 ft example needs five tubes of cap adhesive at 13.6 ft of bead coverage per tube. The metric example uses a 9 m wall, 4.15 m of coverage per tube and editable GBP prices. The Formulas tab explains each line in more detail.

Blocks and buried courses. Round wall length divided by block length up to whole units per course. Round exposed height divided by block height up to whole courses, add buried courses, then apply the cutting allowance and round up again.
Caps and adhesive. Round wall length divided by cap coverage up, apply the cutting allowance, and round up again. Adhesive tubes use wall length × bead count × (1 + cutting allowance) ÷ coverage per tube, rounded up.
Base gravel. Multiply wall length, base width and compacted base depth, then apply the stone allowance.
Drainage stone. Multiply wall length, drainage width and built height above the soil cap. Add any core fill and apply the stone allowance.
Drain pipe and fabric. Pipe is wall length plus the outlet allowance. Fabric is wall length × (built height + drainage width) × (1 + overlap).
Cost. Multiply each quantity by its unit price and add delivery, entered labour or labor, and estimated tax. Labor uses exposed face area. The tax model applies to materials and delivery.

Henkel PL 500 technical data sheet

How to use it for supplier quotes

Fill in the blue inputs with your wall measurements, chosen products and local prices. Compare the calculated quantities with supplier package sizes, such as full pallets, pipe rolls and minimum aggregate orders. Send the same quantities and scope to at least three installers so the quotes are comparable.

How to compare retaining wall quotes

Add the calculator to your website

Paste this code into an HTML block. You may remove the credit or add rel="nofollow". The example already includes it.

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<script>
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<p style="margin:0.5rem 0;font-size:0.875rem">Calculator by <a href="https://retainingwallcalc.org/" rel="nofollow">Retaining Wall Calc</a></p>

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Calculator by Retaining Wall Calc

Frequently asked questions

Is the spreadsheet really free?

Yes. The workbook is free to download, with no sign-up, email address or payment required. It includes the US and metric estimate sheets, the formula explanations and the Read me tab. You can save a separate copy for each estimate and share the takeoff with your suppliers or installers.

Does it work in metric?

Yes. Use the Estimate (metric) tab for metres, millimetres, square metres, cubic metres and tonnes. It starts with a 9 m × 0.9 m wall and example prices in GBP. Enter your currency code and prices per metric unit, and check the unit on each supplier quote before entering a price.

Do I need Excel?

No. Use 'Make a copy in Google Sheets' for a free online copy, or open the .xlsx in Excel, LibreOffice or Numbers.

Is it an engineering design?

No. The workbook estimates quantities from the dimensions, products and allowances you enter. Site conditions such as soils, slopes, groundwater, nearby loads and local rules affect the design. Have the wall system and details checked by an appropriate professional before ordering or building. Read the engineering disclaimer.

Free retaining wall estimate spreadsheet