North Chattanooga and Hamilton County
Retaining walls and French drains in Hixson, TN
New retaining walls, timber wall replacement and yard drainage for Hixson homes, from neighborhoods near Hixson Pike to the hills toward Chickamauga Lake. Get a free written quote from a local crew.
Hixson
Rolling hills, creeks and aging timber walls
Hixson has a lot of established neighborhoods on rolling ground cut by creeks. Many backyard and driveway walls were built from treated timber, which often lasts only 15 to 25 years in wet clay, and plenty of those are near the end. Low spots near creeks also stay wet long after a storm.
Timber wall replacement
Removing rotted timber walls and rebuilding in block with a real gravel base and drainage.
Backyard terracing
Turning a sloped yard into usable flat levels with low block or stone walls.
Wet yard fixes
French drains and downspout lines for low spots that hold water.
Typical prices
What walls and drainage cost in Hixson
Typical installed ranges from published 2026 cost guides, not quotes.
- Block retaining wallPer sq ft of wall face$30 to $90
- Natural stone wallPer sq ft of wall face$45 to $110
- Retaining wall repairTypical project$450 to $950
- French drainPer linear foot$20 to $50
- Underground downspoutOne extension$800 to $2,000
Sources: LawnStarter retaining wall cost guide (2026); Angi retaining wall repair cost (2026); Angi yard drainage cost (2026); Angi underground gutter drainage cost (2026).
Permits
Permit rules in Hixson
Much of Hixson is inside Chattanooga city limits. Inside Chattanooga city limits, walls 4 feet or taller, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, need a city retaining wall permit with engineer sealed calculations, and the wall face must be at least 1 foot from the property line. Source: City of Chattanooga retaining wall permit. Some Hixson addresses fall under Hamilton County rules instead, and that is checked for your address before work starts.
ZIP codes we take requests from: 37343, 37415. See retaining wall types, wall repair and French drains.
FAQ
Questions from Hixson homeowners
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Hixson?
If your address is inside Chattanooga city limits, walls 4 feet or taller need a city retaining wall permit with engineer sealed calculations. Addresses outside the city follow Hamilton County rules.
How much does it cost to replace a timber retaining wall in Hixson?
It depends on length, height and access. As a guide, block walls typically run about $30 to $90 per square foot of wall face installed, plus removal of the old timbers. Angi's 2026 data puts full rebuilds at about $6,000 to $14,500.
How much does a French drain cost in Hixson?
Angi's 2026 data puts French drains at about $20 to $50 per linear foot installed, with most projects between $2,000 and $7,000.
Get a free quote in Hixson
Tell us what the yard is doing. A local crew follows up to look at the site and gives you a written price. No cost, no obligation.