Finding the best retaining wall builders in Gisborne matters on a coast where hillside sections, soft ground and heavy rain put real pressure on every bank and cut. The retaining wall builders in Gisborne below design and build timber pole, crib, block and concrete pile walls, handle slip control and drainage behind the wall, and manage consents where a wall needs one. Makaraka-based ATS Group and TW Civil and Infrastructure both take on residential and commercial retaining work.
This top spot is openPut your business first in this guide, with call, website and enquiry buttons.
Claim this spot →1ATS Group
ATS Group, which trades as Advanced Tree Solutions, began as an arboricultural company and has expanded into electrical and civil construction, working from a base on Main Road in Makaraka. Its civil team builds retaining walls from slip control solutions to retained driveways, built to engineering specifications, alongside drainage, siteworks and earthmoving. It suits homeowners and commercial clients who want the wall, the drainage and the excavation handled by one local crew.
Services
- Retaining walls built to engineering specifications
- Slip control and retained driveways
- Drainage and underground utilities, from farm culverts to stormwater systems
- Siteworks, excavation and earthmoving
- Fencing, driveways and patios
Highlights
- Founded in 2016 and employing more than 20 skilled and qualified personnel
- Approved contractor for work near power lines
- Qualified and insured, with free no-obligation quotes for residential and commercial work
- Dedicated phone line for civil and drainage enquiries
Location & Contact
Name: ATS Group (Advanced Tree Solutions)
Address: 74 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 021 433 640
Website: ats.kiwi.nz/retaining-walls/
2TW Civil and Infrastructure
TW Civil and Infrastructure is a division of TW Group with a Gisborne civil team serving the city, its outlying suburbs and the wider East Coast district, backed by a head office in Onekawa, Napier. Retaining walls and flood protection are one of its core service lines, covering timber pole walls, crib walls and concrete pile walls from small to large scale, with drainage built in to prevent water build-up. It suits residential and commercial projects on tricky or narrow sites, as well as larger subdivision and roading work.
Services
- Timber pole, crib and concrete pile retaining walls
- Mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) retaining walls
- Flood protection and river engineering
- Earthworks and site works
Highlights
- Manages the building consent process where a wall requires one
- Designs walls for lateral load where they support a structure
- Builds retaining structures around roads and bridges
- Latest machinery for tight sites and narrow spaces
- One-stop civil service with all specialists under one roof
Location & Contact
Name: TW Civil and Infrastructure
Address: Gisborne
Phone: 0800 242 248
Website: twcivilandinfrastructure.co.nz/gisborne-civil/
3Fence Gisborne
Fence Gisborne is a family owned and operated fencing contractor based in Gisborne Tairāwhiti and working across the East Coast, with more than fifteen years of experience. Alongside residential, pool, security and rural fencing, it builds retaining walls for sloping terrain, landscaping, embankments and uneven surfaces. It suits property owners who want a wall and fencing done together, and can either plan the project from a free consultation or build from your own plans.
Services
- Retaining walls for slopes, embankments and landscaping
- Residential fencing and gates
- Security and pool fencing
- Rural fencing
- Trail, track and perimeter fencing projects
Highlights
- Member of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ)
- Free consultation and planning, or builds from client plans
- Project work includes Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 and the Waipaoa River Stopbank Cycleway
- Follows ThinkSafe New Zealand safe work practices
Location & Contact
Name: Fence Gisborne
Address: Gisborne
Phone: 0204 130 7399
Website: www.fencegisborne.co.nz/menu/retaining
Retaining Wall Builders in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| ATS Group | Founded in 2016 and employing more than 20 skilled and qualified pers... |
| TW Civil and Infrastructure | Manages the building consent process where a wall requires one |
| Fence Gisborne | Member of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) |
How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Builders in Gisborne
- Match the wall type to the job: timber pole walls suit most residential banks, while crib, concrete pile and MSE walls are used for higher loads, larger cuts and walls that support a driveway or building.
- Ask about drainage: water pressure behind the wall is a leading cause of failure, so confirm the quote includes drainage aggregate, a drain pipe and a discharge point.
- Check who handles design and consent: walls over 1.5 metres, or walls carrying a load such as a driveway or house, usually need engineering input and a building consent.
- Consider the whole site: a builder who also does excavation, earthmoving and fencing can reduce handovers between separate trades.
- Look at local experience: Tairāwhiti clay soils and slip-prone hillsides reward crews who regularly work on East Coast ground.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Retaining Wall Builders
Do I need a building consent for a retaining wall in Gisborne?
Under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, a retaining wall that retains no more than 1.5 metres of ground, and includes ground water drainage, is generally exempt from building consent. Taller walls, or walls supporting extra load such as a driveway or building, usually need a consent and engineering design. The building consent exemptions guidance on building.govt.nz explains the limits, and Gisborne District Council can confirm whether your site needs a consent.
How much does a retaining wall cost in Gisborne?
Pricing depends on the height and length of the wall, the material, access for machinery, the drainage required and whether engineering and consent are involved. Most retaining wall builders in Gisborne quote after a site visit, and many offer free quotes, so compare itemised prices rather than a single total.
What type of retaining wall is best for a sloping section?
Timber pole walls are the most common choice for residential banks. Crib walls and concrete pile walls handle larger cuts, and mechanically stabilised earth walls can support very heavy loads. A good retaining wall builder will recommend a type after assessing the soil, the height and anything the wall needs to support.
Can a retaining wall help with slips on my property?
Yes, a correctly designed retaining wall with proper drainage is one of the main tools for slip control, including retained driveways and stabilised banks. After a slip, it is worth getting engineering advice before any rebuild, especially where the ground supports a house or road.
Which parts of Gisborne do these retaining wall builders cover?
ATS Group works from Main Road in Makaraka on the western edge of the city, and the retaining wall contractors here serve Gisborne suburbs as well as the wider Tairāwhiti and East Coast region. If you are outside the city, ask each builder whether your location is within their regular service area when you request a quote.
How do I check a builder is licensed?
Where a retaining wall forms part of restricted building work on a home, the work must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. You can search the Licensed Building Practitioners register to confirm a builder’s licence class before work begins.
Why is drainage behind a retaining wall so important?
Groundwater that builds up behind a wall adds pressure that can push it over or cause it to bow. Drainage aggregate, a perforated drain pipe and a safe outlet let water escape, which is why the consent exemption itself requires ground water drainage.
How We Chose the Best Retaining Wall Builders in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for retaining wall builders in Gisborne, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.