Retaining walls, poured walls and concrete steps in Cedar Rapids

S & M Concrete builds block retaining walls, pours concrete walls and replaces steps and stairs around Cedar Rapids. We also do block and brick masonry. When a slope needs holding back, or the front steps are crumbling, it is the same crew and the same owner from the estimate to the last block.

Retaining walls

A retaining wall holds back soil where the yard changes level. S & M builds block retaining walls, including tiered walls where one wall steps back above another, with stairs built into the wall so you can walk between levels. The job in Fig. 2 is that kind of wall: two tiers of block with steps up to the house.

Poured walls

Poured walls are formed and filled with concrete on site. Tell Shawn what the wall is for and where it sits, and he will talk through the forming and the pour with you at the estimate.

Concrete steps and stairs

Old steps crack, settle and pull away from the house. We break out the old steps, haul them off and pour new ones. Steps can be plain with a broomed finish for grip, or stamped and colored to match a patio or walk. Curved steps, like the ones in Fig. 1, are part of the work too.

Block and brick masonry

Along with concrete, S & M does block and brick masonry, so a wall, a set of steps and the patio next to them can all come from one crew. For the slab itself, see driveways, patios and flatwork.

How the job goes

Call or send the form. Shawn comes out, looks at the slope, the soil and where the water goes, and talks through the wall or steps with you. The estimate is free. Hard-to-reach yards and tight spaces are part of the conversation; he will tell you what it takes. [CONFIRM WITH OWNER: equipment access notes]

Where we build walls and steps

Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Van Horne, Norway, Center Point, Palo and the surrounding area. See all service areas.

Questions about walls and steps

Updated September 2026

• Do you build block retaining walls?

  Yes. We build block retaining walls, including tiered walls with steps built in.

  The job in Fig. 1 on this page is a two-tier block wall with steps up to the house, built by our crew.

• Do you pour concrete walls?

  Yes. Poured walls are one of our core services.

  Tell Shawn what the wall is for and he will talk through the forming and pour. [CONFIRM WITH OWNER: typical poured wall jobs]

• Can you replace my crumbling front steps?

  Yes. We break out the old steps, haul them away and pour new ones.

  New steps can be plain and broomed, or stamped and colored to dress up the entry.

• Can you build curved steps?

  Yes. Curved and stepped-out stairs are part of the work.

  Fig. 2 on this page shows curved stamped steps set between block walls.

• Do you do brick work?

  Yes. S & M does block and brick masonry as well as concrete.