Seawalls & Retaining Walls

Installation. Repair. Maintenance.

Custom Seawall and Retaining Wall Installation

Michigan's Trusted Waterfront Specialist

SMP Contracting is Michigan’s trusted name in seawall and retaining wall installation. Seawalls are crucial for protecting waterfront properties and infrastructure from erosion and damage caused by waves, storms, and rising sea levels. They help to stabilize shorelines by reducing the impact of water movement, preventing land loss and maintaining waterfront usability. Additionally, seawalls play a key role in flood prevention, safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the destructive forces of flooding.

We install seawalls and retaining walls made of:

  • Steel
  • Vinyl
  • Redi-Rock
  • Stone

 

We also perform outcropping and riprap installations. Contact us today for your free, no obligation quote on seawall installation!

A beige two-story house with large windows and a garage is situated next to a body of water, surrounded by leafless trees and a stone retaining wall.
A shoreline with a sandy area and footprints next to a body of water, near a house with a deck and trees.

“Outstanding seawall services! The team built a durable, high-quality seawall that protects our shoreline from erosion and storm damage. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and use of top-grade materials exceeded our expectations. Our property is now secure and looks great. Highly recommend their expertise for any seawall installation or repair!”

Steel Seawalls

Steel seawalls are a very popular option for preventing erosion. The tie back rods are 3/4″ threaded rods running to a steel anchor about 4 to 10 feet in length up land of seawall.

Our back-fill process is done with class 2 sand or whichever material best suits the present conditions as well as what will work best for the drainage system behind the seawall.

Plain steel seawalls are constructed with non-coated bare steel sheet piling, angle iron capping, and plain finish hardware. Our 3.5″-5″ cap is securely welded to each and every piling. Each piling will be welded at each joint thus making for an even stronger application. All of our seawall installations are backed by our 10 year complete warranty.

Steel seawalls have a very long service life and they are the most economical choice when considering a seawall to protect your shoreline. Plain steel seawalls are also the best option where heavy ice pressure is present and a heavy duty wall is required. Life expectancy of a plain steel wall using 8 gauge material is 25+ years.

Vinyl Seawall Systems

Vinyl seawall sheet piling has been a solution of choice for protecting coastal land from erosion since the mid-1990’s. It is a proven product, and millions of feet of shoreline bordering oceans, canals, lakes, streams and ponds have been protected by vinyl sheet piling. It is an attractive, functional product that can add value to any waterfront property.

Tidewall vinyl sheet piling is also used effectively as flood walls, either free-standing or to raise the height of existing dikes. Alternativly, they can be used as cut-off walls, controlling the subterranean movement of water to prevent the undercutting of above-ground structures. Many applications that have used steel sheet piling, wood, or concrete in the past can be converted to Tidewall vinyl sheet piling, resulting in a permanent, high quality wall for a significantly lower cost than these alternatives.

Redi-Rock Seawall & Retaining Wall Systems

Redi-Rock seawalls are concrete blocks that stack and interlock with one another to create a visually appealing option for a seawall or retaining wall. The variety of decorative options allow you to create and customize your seawall or retaining wall design.

This heavy-duty Redi-Rock system is comprised of large stones, weighing over 2000 lbs. each. Redi-Rock looks just like natural quarried stone and are engineered to provide exceptional strength. Redi-Rock walls are an eco-friendly, recyclable product that requires little to no maintenance. Redi-Rock seawalls and retaining walls are constructed with a geo textile filter fabric installed behind and under the stone with gravel base and fill.

Rock Retaining Wall

A rock retaining wall is designed to hold in place a mass of earth or the like, such as the edge of a terrace or excavation. Our retaining walls are manufactured of the highest quality products and can be a great addition to any part of your property to help against soil erosion and damage.

Rip Rap

Rip rap consists of large, angular limestone pieces that range in size and are placed either along the shoreline or alongside a seawall to prevent erosion by absorbing and deflecting wave energy. It helps stabilize slopes and protect infrastructure by reducing the impact of water currents and runoff. Rip rap is a durable and environmentally friendly solution that blends with natural landscapes while providing long-term shoreline protection. Our dedicated team will excavate your property to the proper grade and then install filter fabric to protect from undergrowth and stop erosion.

Outcropping

The process of laying or stacking stones to prevent the run-off that often occurs when living near a shoreline. This then protects the shoreline itself from excessive wake or stormy weather. Our method included very large pieces of limestone. Each individual piece averages in size from 1,000lbs to 1,800lbs. These rocks are then layered together to fit into the natural landscape. These forms of seawall are best for low traffic, and low wake areas. Outcropping is also very popular for landscaping and our professional team can consult you on what is best.

Installation & Repair

Our dedicated team are highly trained to perform any and all necessary seawall or retaining wall repairs. We can also repair piers, docks, footings, grading issues and more. Contact us today for a free quote and see what sets SMP Contracting apart from the rest!

A lakeside backyard with wooden planters, a small tree, and a raised deck, adjacent to clear water and a wooden retaining wall.
A small pond with reflections of trees and a building on calm water. Sandy shore with visible footprints in the foreground.

Frequently Asked Questions

You Have Questions, We Have Answers.
What is a seawall, and why is it important?

A seawall is a protective barrier built along shorelines to prevent erosion, flooding, and property damage caused by waves and tidal forces. It helps stabilize waterfront properties and enhances long-term shoreline durability.

We install a variety of seawalls, including concrete, vinyl, steel, riprap, and composite seawalls. The best option depends on your shoreline conditions, budget, and aesthetic preferences.

With proper maintenance, a well-constructed seawall can last 30 to 50 years or more. The lifespan depends on the materials used, environmental conditions, and regular upkeep.

Signs that your seawall needs repairs include cracks, leaning or bowing sections, soil loss behind the wall, and visible erosion. If you notice any of these issues, a professional inspection is recommended.

Yes, we assist with obtaining the necessary permits and ensure compliance with local, state, and environmental regulations to ensure a smooth and lawful installation process.

Absolutely! We offer custom seawall designs with different materials, finishes, and styles to complement your waterfront property while providing maximum protection.

Regular maintenance includes inspecting for cracks, checking drainage systems, reinforcing weak areas, and removing debris or vegetation that could compromise the structure. We offer professional maintenance services to extend your seawall’s lifespan.

Plain steel seawalls are constructed with non-coated bare steel sheet piping, angle iron capping, and plain finish hardware.

Steel seawalls have an incredibly long service life and are the most economical choice when building a sea wall to protect your shoreline.

Plain steel walls using 8 gauge material can last more than 25 years!

Free Quote

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Low Price Guarantee

We provide free quotes for all of our services and will meet or beat most anyone’s price in writing.

Why Choose Us

We are dedicated to providing the absolute best service and the industries best warranties and guarantees on our work. We pride ourselves in providing fast, free estimates and on our 100% price match guarantee where we will meet or beat anyone’s price in writing. 

We are family owned and operated and take great pride in serving our local community. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable team has over 10 years of experience building seawalls, custom docks, retaining walls, etc. and has the expertise you are looking for. Call us today to speak with one of our specialists or to schedule a free estimate today!

10+ Years Experience

Our team has the knowledge and expertise you are looking for in your next project.

Low Price Guarantee

We offer the lowest prices because we're family owned and operated.

Licensed & Insured

We're professionally licensed and insured for all of our services.

Free Estimates

We always provide free estimates so our customers know what to expect.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Five yellow stars in a row on a white background, representing the stellar service of a tree company.

Incredible job!!! The entire team was professional and they transformed our seawall and the surrounding area to a like new condition. The seawall was significantly heaved from years of winter but they were able to drive it back into position and add the tiebacks to make it durable going forward!! I would highly recommend SMP, when they finished they cleaned and swept all the areas that they used to stage the material. Very professional and awesome to do business with!! PT

A person with short hair in a hoodie stands next to evergreen branches, looking at the camera.
PT Muldoon Review

Steve was great to work with. Kept us updated through the whole process since we were out of town during the installation. Very professional and thorough. The seawall transformation is awesome and we are getting lots of compliments on it. Highly recommend Steve and SMP Contracting for your next seawall.

Person in a hooded jacket and beanie smiles in a snowy outdoor setting. Black and white image.
Michael Haupfear Review

SMP (Steve) was very professional from his initial meeting through cleanup and everything in between. The workmanship on the steel retaining wall is a work of art and he was able to transform the area around my barn into a 100% usable area while providing the reinforcement that the framing of the barn required. I had high expectations for this project and he exceeded them with the end result. You would not go wrong by using SMP Contracting on your next job.

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Scott Vander Ploeg Review

Steve and his team went out of their way to make our timeframe worked despite the weather this summer. Steve is methodical with the layout and engineering. Pricing was overly competitive to the competition and we are very happy that we landed with SMP. This retaining wall is going nowhere for a century. And it holds our entire house and driveway up. Pictures to come. They were as immaculate with prep and cleanup, as they were price and timeframe. Thank you SMP.

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Remington Rogers Review

Contact Us

Reach out to speak with a member of our team who can answer any questions that you may have or to provide a free quote. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Wooden raised beds and a bare tree on a waterfront property with a house, concrete path, and calm water in the foreground.
A beige two-story house with large windows and a garage is situated next to a body of water, surrounded by leafless trees and a stone retaining wall.
Excavator near a lakeside with metal retaining wall. Sunset over the water, rocks and earth in foreground, people standing on the right observing.
Aerial view of a rectangular pond bordered by grass, with a pavilion and parked vehicles in the background. A person stands at the pond's edge.
A wooden dock extends over a frozen lake, with houses and a boat visible in the background. Snow covers the ground beside the dock.
Concrete retaining walls by a lake shore, construction equipment on sandy area, and a docked boat in the background.

Free Quote

Complete the form below to receive a free quote and a member of our team will follow up within one business.

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