Using armour stone is one of the fastest ways to make a yard look timeless—yet most homeowners start a project without a clear sense of Armour Stone Landscaping Costs. This guide solves that problem by laying out every fee you’re likely to encounter, backed by 2025 price data from Ontario suppliers and real installations. By the end, you’ll know whether your dream retaining wall costs $45 per ton or $85 per square foot and—more importantly—why.
Armour stone projects can swing from a modest $3,000 garden wall to a $60,000 shoreline overhaul. Without an itemised budget, sticker shock is inevitable. Clear cost expectations allow you to:
Forty‑Five Scapes believes an informed client is a happy client, so let’s unpack those numbers.
Armour stone is quarry‑cut, heavyweight rock—often limestone or granite—selected for superior compressive strength. Each block can weigh 0.75 to 3 tons, giving it the mass to resist frost‑heave, wave action, and soil pressure. Its rugged faces and natural color variation also create a premium look unattainable with manufactured blocks.
Quick Reference: Expect quarry‑gate pricing between $45 and $195 per ton depending on stone type and cut.
Taller retaining walls need deeper and heavier blocks. A 15‑inch‑high stone (~0.75 ton) costs less to buy and crane than a 30‑inch giant (~3 tons).
Ontario suppliers list armour stone at $45–$239 per ton. Heavier stones increase transport fees because most roll‑off trucks max out at 14–16 tons per load.
Transport can equal 25–40 % of total material cost. A single‑axle roll‑off to Midland runs $275 per trip for up to eight stones. Long‑haul deliveries over 150 km tack on fuel surcharges of $60–$90 per hour.
If your backyard gate is narrower than 8 ft, crews must crane stones over the house or hand‑dolly smaller pieces—both premium‑priced scenarios. Excavation and compacted‑gravel bases add $8–$15 per sq ft.
Spring price spikes of 10–15 % are common when cottage owners rush shoreline fixes. Booking installs for late summer can shave hundreds off delivery and labour.
Retaining walls dominate armour stone use, and pricing hinges on wall height, drainage spec, and access.
Needs engineering sign‑off, tie‑backs, and heavier blocks:
Stone treads cost $300–$550 each (including skid‑steer placement). A six‑step stair often lands between $4,000–$6,500 installed.
Using 15–17‑inch stones:
Budgets vary wildly. Expect $2,500 minimum for a simple three‑stone cascade up to $25,000+ for multi‑tiered ponds with pumps and lighting.
A washed‑stone backfill layer prevents hydrostatic pressure. Budget $15–$25 per sq ft of wall face for ¾‑inch clear stone plus non‑woven geotextile.
Retaining walls over 1 metre (3.3 ft) or any shoreline work in Simcoe County require permits. Engineering stamps run $800–$1,800; municipal permits $150–$450.
While armour stone itself lasts generations, failing to clean clogged weep‑holes or missing mortar joints can result in $1,000–$3,000 repair bills.
Break a 60 ft60 ft60 ft shoreline wall into two 30 ft30 ft30 ft phases across seasons to fit cashflow and minimise peak‑season premiums.
Most banks in Ontario allow a renovation line of credit at prime + 0.5 % if stonework increases property value. Forty‑Five Scapes partners with Financeit for 12‑month no‑interest plans on projects over $15k.
Q1. How much does a small armour‑stone garden wall cost in Midland?
A simple 20 linear‑ft wall, 3 ft high, averages $4,000–$5,500 installed.
Q2. Is armour stone cheaper than concrete blocks?
Per square foot, concrete blocks can be 10–20 % less, but armour stone’s lifespan and curb appeal often offset the upfront premium.
Q3. Can I buy armour stone by the piece instead of by the ton?
Yes. Some suppliers sell individual stones for $60–$195 each depending on size.
Q4. Does DIY installation really save money?
Only if you already have equipment experience. Renting machinery and correcting mistakes can erase savings quickly.
Q5. How long does delivery take after ordering?
Typical lead‑time is two weeks from quarry to site in Georgian Bay.
Q6. Will my project need a permit?
Any wall exceeding 1 m in height or touching a shoreline usually needs municipal approval and, in some cases, conservation authority sign‑off.
Armour stone transforms a landscape—but only when Armour Stone Landscaping Costs are mapped out with the same precision we apply on site. Whether you need a cottage‑shore revetment or a statement staircase, Forty‑Five Scapes provides turnkey service: design, permitting, supply, and installation—all backed by a five‑year workmanship warranty.
Ready for a line‑item quote that respects your budget? Book a free on‑site estimate today and let’s build an outdoor space your family will love for decades.
