On most retaining wall projects, labor accounts for 60–70% of total cost. And the single biggest driver of that labor cost is block placement — specifically, how many blocks your crew sets per lift. If the answer is one, you are leaving money on the table on every single job. WingSet® contractors set 4 to 6 blocks per lift. That is not a small improvement. That is a completely different business model.
The Traditional Crew Model
A typical retaining wall installation crew consists of several workers: an excavator operator, laborers for block handling and placement, and a foreman. Blocks are set one at a time, which limits how fast even a well-run crew can move.
The WingSet® Crew Model
With WingSet®, the excavator operator handles all block lifting and placement. A leaner crew — operator, one worker at the pallet, one worker at the wall — handles the full installation cycle. Here is the critical difference: attach 2 WingSets to the spreader bar and you are setting 4 blocks per lift. Attach 3 WingSets and you are setting 6 blocks per lift. The pallet worker hooks up multiple blocks at a time; the wall worker releases WingSet® once the blocks are set in their exact desired location. The result: a smaller crew, significantly faster completion, and dramatically lower labor cost per block placed.
The Productivity Difference
The productivity gap between traditional block setting and WingSet® is substantial. Fewer workers are needed, each lift moves multiple blocks, and the cycle time per block drops significantly. Most contractors find the system pays for itself quickly — often within the first job or two. For a project-specific estimate, call 617.823.1299.
Beyond Labor: Quality and Callbacks
Mechanical placement with WingSet® improves block alignment. Manual placement introduces variability — tired workers make mistakes. Because WingSet® is positively engaged with each block and cannot slip, the excavator operator can position every block with precision, resulting in tighter joints, better batter, and a more professional finished appearance.
Getting Started with WingSet®
WingSet® is available for purchase at wing-set.com. On-site demonstrations are available for contractors, landscape architects, and project managers. Call 617.823.1299 or email tfdonnelly@icloud.com to schedule a demonstration.
See WingSet® on Your Job Site — No Obligation
We offer free on-site demonstrations. You won't be imposing — we love doing this.
There's nothing we enjoy more than throwing a couple of WingSets in the truck, heading out to a job site, and showing a crew exactly what's possible. Invite us out — we'll do the rest.