Engineered retaining walls, core-filled Besser blockwork and brick masonry — built by Dan Taggart, one of the only dual-trade qualified bricklayer & landscapers on the Peninsula. Deep footings, proper drainage, no shortcuts.
Most landscapers subcontract their retaining walls and blockwork out. Dan is qualified in both trades — 7+ years brick & block, 6+ years landscaping, and a licensed excavator operator — so your wall is built, backfilled and landscaped by one crew, to one standard, with zero third-party hand-offs.
Every site is different — sloped blocks, reactive coastal clay, tight access. Here's what we build to suit.
High-strength core-filled concrete blockwork with steel rebar reinforcement — the backbone of a structurally sound retaining wall on sloped Peninsula sites.
Architectural brick piers, entrance pillars, garden bed walls and boundary masonry — Dan's trade specialty, finished to a standard most landscapers can't match.
Hand-selected bluestone and sandstone feature walls, built over a reinforced masonry core for coastal outdoor spaces that need to last.
Clean, rendered finishes over structural blockwork where a smoother architectural look is wanted, without compromising on strength.
Full site levelling and land retention for steep Peninsula blocks — turning unusable slope into flat, functional backyard space.
As a licensed excavator operator, Dan handles tight-access digs cleanly and efficiently, protecting driveways, fences and gardens throughout the build.
Peninsula soil is a challenge — reactive coastal clay, salt exposure, and sloped blocks all put pressure on a retaining wall. We build every wall to handle it, not just look good on installation day.
Most retaining wall failures come down to inadequate footings, missing drainage, or a lack of reinforcement — allowing hydraulic pressure to build up behind the wall after rain. We prevent this with deep steel-reinforced concrete footings, compacted aggregate backfill, continuous sub-surface agricultural drainage, and waterproof membrane barriers on every retaining wall we build.
Under Victorian building regulations, a retaining wall typically requires a building permit if it exceeds 1 metre in height, sits within 1.5 metres of a boundary or structure, or supports a surcharge load such as a driveway. We advise on what's needed and help navigate Mornington Peninsula Shire requirements as part of planning.
From first chat to final walkthrough — here's how a retaining wall or blockwork project comes together.
Dan checks the terrain, soil, drainage and access, and talks through what's structurally possible.
Material selection and a clear scope, with all excavation and material costs upfront — before anything is built.
Licensed excavation, deep reinforced footings, and drainage installed before a single block goes down.
Precision masonry, backfill and finishing, with a full walkthrough and maintenance guidance at handover.
Indicative ranges to help you budget — your fixed-price quote is confirmed after a free site visit.
| Project Type | Typical Application | Estimate (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Garden & Boundary Masonry | Low-level garden walls, planter boxes, non-retaining borders | $250–$450 / m² |
| Engineered Retaining Walls | Sloped site retention, structural land levelling | $450–$850 / m² |
| Architectural Stone Walls | Feature walls, entrance pillars, luxury terracing | $650–$1,200+ / m² |
Prices vary with site access, soil conditions, wall height and material choice. Ask Dan for a free, no-obligation quote.
Free site visit, straight answers, fixed-price quote. No pressure.
