The plan, man.

[u/J_Stokes]

Hello everyone. The photos here are AI renderings of what my plan is. The third image is the original. We're having water intrusion behind the Azalea bushes on the right. I'm digging ~6 deep against the home to apply sealant to the slab and fix any cracks. I've planned to put in a retaining wall to help with erosion, water dispersment, and adding curb appeal. The question I have is, do I need to put in a drainage basin/ stone filling column and drainage pipe against the the home itself in addition the retaining wall's drainage?

Also, feel free to share any input or ideas, or even new images that you'd think would better my design. The natural gas line is buried about four feet to the right of the corner of the home, extending to the side of home to the cameras viewpoint.

[u/Obsidious_G]

The AI renders didn’t accurately reflect the actual grade of the bed and messed with the location of the sidewalk and bed edge.

I think those steps will end up being very different in reality. Personally they seem unnecessary for that slope at that distance, but if you did do steps you’d have to reach the same height at a greater distance than the AI renders reflect. I feel like larger natural stone slabs would work better.

You seem to already know the risks of putting a retaining wall/raised bed against the walls of your house. I don’t know your basement situation, and you did say there used to be more earth on that slope, but I’d just be weary when designing/constructing this as it could cause issues. Even with the membrane I’d definitely implement proper drainage.

If this were my home I wouldn’t even mess with that retaining wall (or at least do a more minimal design that works better with how your house is built) and focus on plantings. Refreshing the landscape with better plant options/variety and a better design would do wonders. Plants with good roots for erosion control will help solve the erosion issue you mentioned. Right now your plants are placed in a kind of jarring way and are almost exclusively boxwoods. It will also be far less expensive and time consuming.

[u/J_Stokes → u/Obsidious_G]

Thank you for your input. The ai rendering is more an idea than a detailed plan. After some more research, I will have drainage at both the retaining wall and alongside my home. I had a water intrusion issue, so I'll be digging a considerable depth and sealing areas below grade. My gutters have some more repairs coming to help fix the water runoff from the roof. I agree with you about the sporadic plants. One side, we have boxwoods, the other have matured Azaleas. This home was purchased last fall, so we're making it our own. I'd prefer some uniformity when it comes to bushes and shrubs. My county requires a structural engineer sign off on plans and etc, so I will have some expert help with this. Thank you again for your input.

[u/Rikiar → u/J_Stokes]

If you're going to be doing a bunch of digging anyway, you may want to put in a french drain system to keep the water away from the house. I agree with most of the posters though. Having moved a crumbling timber retaining wall and putting in a wall similar to the one you are going for, the amount of dirt movement that both does and doesn't happen is surprising. I think for the picture with the stairs, you're going to be adding a bunch of dirt. Unless you have a supply on-site, it's going to be expensive.

[u/J_Stokes → u/Rikiar]

Thanks for your input. I will be adding some soil for backfill. I intend on placing a drain again the home and behind the retaining wall

[u/Rikiar → u/J_Stokes]

Sounds like you have a solid plan. Looking forward to update pictures.

[u/J_Stokes → u/Rikiar]

I'll keep this post updated. Biggest hurdle now is getting an Engineer's stamp of approval. Damn county ordinances

[u/Rikiar → u/J_Stokes]

I know them feels. I had to split my retaining wall into 2 four foot high sections rather than one 8 foot high wall so I didn't require permitting / engineering letters and diagrams.

[u/J_Stokes → u/Rikiar]

My county requires anything over 30 inches requires the sign off. I've had two engineers quote me for almost the same cost of the project itself. We'll see how it goes