Engineered Landscaping Project: Gladstone
Engineered retaining walls and custom steel stairs: a major property upgrade
Steep slopes needing vehicle access
Falling wall to structural retaining walls
Dirt hill climbs to custom engineered stairs
The Brief
A sloping block with levels nobody could use
This property had height to work with and no practical way to use it. Getting from the bottom of the block to the top meant climbing dirt. The levels were there, but they weren't usable, and the one wall holding some of it in place was collapsing.
This upgrade included:
- engineered retaining walls to hold and define each elevation
- custom engineered stairs to connect the levels
- creating vehicle access
Our Job
Build practical access between the different retained elevations creating clean, usable levels
Site Prep
Big transformations start with solid prep!
From material delivery to excavation and site marking, our crew at ELC Property Maintenance & Landscaping know that a solid foundation is vital to a successful project.
With the plan and approvals in place Site Prep was the next step in getting this property set up for a major upgrade.
No project is too big or too detailed for our team. Keep scrolling to see how this project turned out.
Getting Started
Some jobs are trickier than others from the start
The property for this project came with some wild hills. So this project started with ELC cutting an access path and replacing a failing wall with a serious engineered retaining wall.
When you're dealing with steep slopes and structural walls, you need more than just a trade licence. You need the correct licence to ensure everything is completely compliant and structurally sound.
ELC holds a Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping Licence (QBCC #15605601).
The Retaining Walls
Multiple engineered retaining walls, clean usable levels
Retaining walls went in on both elevations, fully engineered and signed off. The result is what the site was missing: clean, usable levels, properly held, and built to last.
Engineered is not a description here, it is a legal category. A wall over a metre, or close to a building, or near a pool, needs engineering and a builder licence behind it.
The Stairs
Custom engineered stairs to connect the levels
The ELC crew fabricated a custom set of engineered stairs to bridge the gap from bottom to top on this site. From specs and design through to the final weld, ELC covered the stairs entire build.
These stairs not only add value and functionality to the property, but also provide practical access between the different retained elevations.
Licensing
What is the difference between a trade licence and a builder licence for structural landscaping in Queensland?
Queensland has two QBCC structural landscaping licence classes:
- Structural landscaping (trade) and
- Builder restricted to structural landscaping
Any retaining wall that requires engineering needs a contractor holding the builder class. For retaining walls like this project, that includes walls over one metre, walls within a set distance of a building, and walls near a pool.
Using a trade-licensed contractor on engineered work can leave warranties and insurances unenforceable if something goes wrong later.
ELC Property Maintenance & Landscaping holds a Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping Licence (QBCC #15605601).. That is the class this project required.
The Result
From a steep block to a functional outdoor space that's been built to last
In four weeks, this Gladstone property went from a steep, unusable slope with a failing wall to two retained levels connected by a custom engineered set of steps. Clean lines, solid construction, ready to be finished off with landscaping, garden beds and turf.
We got caught with another builder with the wrong licencing, and thankfully Brad swooped in to save the day for our engineer required retaining walls. He continues to go above and beyond to get the best results for his clients.
Brad was easy to talk to and ran us through a heap of ideas to figure out exactly what we wanted and needed. He was extremely thorough with his work, and we had regular check ins and discussions to figure out exactly what we wanted for our home during the whole process. You can tell he has a lot of knowledge and knows what he's talking about which gave us a heap of confidence that we were getting the best outcome.
Engineered retaining walls
Two elevations, fully engineered and signed off.
Custom engineered stairs
Designed, fabricated and installed, from specs to final weld.
Vehicle access
Created clear vehicle access across the property for easy access by large machinery.
Site clean up
Once the project is finished we know how to clean up after ourselves.
No project is too big or too detailed for our team.
If you've got a property transformation in mind - contact ELC Property Maintenance & Landscaping and tell us more about your plans. We carry a QBCC Licence #15605601 (Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping).