Featured Project

Side Yard Retaining Wall & Fence

A failing, overgrown slope transformed into a structured stone-veneer retaining wall with a custom redwood fence — built to last generations.

The Project

From Eroding Slope to Lasting Structure

This Southern California homeowner had a front yard that had been fighting a losing battle with gravity for years. An uncontrolled slope along the sidewalk line had become overgrown, erosion-prone, and a liability concern for the public walkway beside it. The homeowners wanted to reclaim their front yard, protect the property from further soil loss, and dramatically improve the curb appeal of their home- all while adding a privacy fence that would complement the new structure.

AMD Construction delivered a complete solution: a reinforced CMU retaining wall finished with a handsome natural stone veneer, topped with a custom-stained redwood fence- anchored by a deep engineered footing designed to hold the hillside for decades to come.

The customer’s vision

Four Goals, One Cohesive Design

Erosion Control

Stop the slope from advancing further toward the sidewalk and protect the foundation planting bed.

Curb Appeal

Replace the scraggly overgrowth with a clean, architectural statement visible from the street.

Privacy & Security

Add height and enclosure with a fence that sits naturally on top of the new wall.

Structural Longevity

A solution engineered for the long haul- not a quick fix, but a permanent, permitted structure

Construction Process

Built Right, From the Ground Up

Site Clearing & Demo

The crew cleared decades of overgrown ground cover, roots, and debris from the entire slope- exposing the raw earth and establishing a clean working surface along the full length of the property line.

Foundation Excavation & Rebar Grid

A trench was cut to depth and a full rebar mat- both horizontal and vertical- was tied and positioned with proper cover spacing. Vertical rebar dowels were set to bond the footing to the wall above. This engineered footing is the backbone of the entire structure.

Safety Fencing & Active Excavation

Orange safety mesh was installed along the sidewalk perimeter to protect pedestrians throughout the active construction phase, with AMD’s job signage clearly posted. Excavated soil was staged behind the wall line for backfill.

CMU Block Wall Construction

Concrete masonry unit block was laid course by course to full wall height. Drainage provision was incorporated into the design, and landscape fabric was installed across the backfill zone to prevent migration of fine soils through the wall over time.

Backfill, Gravel Base & Fence Framing

The retained side was brought up to grade with compacted fill, topped with a crushed gravel layer. Fence posts and a redwood stringer frame were installed directly on the wall cap, establishing the structure for the privacy fence.

Natural Stone Veneer & Finished Fence

Richly-colored natural stone veneer was hand-set across the entire exterior face of the CMU wall, giving the structure warmth, texture, and curb presence. The redwood fence pickets were cut, installed, and stained to a warm reddish-brown finish that complements the stone beautifully.

The Result

The Transformation

What was once a hazardous, unsightly eroding slope is now a structured architectural feature that anchors the home to the street- built to stand for generations.

Have a similar project in mind?

AMD Construction serves Ventura, LA, and Orange County. Free consultations.