Border Magic concrete landscape edging commonly costs about $8-$15 per linear foot installed, with simple jobs near the low end and detailed patterns or difficult access pushing prices higher. The final quote depends on project length, design, site preparation, removal of existing edging, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed edging per linear foot | $8 | $11 | $15 | Basic to more involved residential installation |
| 100 linear feet | $800 | $1,100 | $1,500 | Assumes ordinary access and limited prep |
| 200 linear feet | $1,600 | $2,200 | $3,000 | Longer runs may reduce the rate per foot |
| Removal of old edging | $1 | $3 | $6 | Additional per linear foot when required |
What Border Magic edging costs for a typical yard
For budgeting, use $8-$15 per linear foot for professionally installed concrete landscape borders. A straightforward 100-foot project often totals $800-$1,500, while a 200-foot installation commonly falls around $1,600-$3,000. A practical midpoint for a standard design is about $11 per foot, or $1,100 for 100 feet.
The per-foot rate usually includes formed concrete, color or texture options at a basic level, installation labor, and cleanup. Exact brand pricing can vary by dealer, contractor, region, and the options selected; these ranges are planning estimates, not a guaranteed manufacturer price. A quote may also have a minimum charge, so a small 30-foot job can cost more per foot than a longer project.
These estimates assume an accessible residential yard, standard-width edging, ordinary soil, and no major demolition or drainage work. Decorative stamping, custom colors, tight curves, extensive hand preparation, or difficult equipment access can move a project toward or above the high range. Confirm whether tax, disposal, and any site-preparation fee are included.
Assumptions: U.S. residential installation, standard concrete landscape edging, normal access, and no major grading or utility conflicts.
How concrete, crew labor, and site prep shape the quote
Contractor estimates commonly combine material and color, labor, equipment, and job-site preparation. The exact allocation differs by installer, but a component breakdown helps identify what is driving a price that looks high or unusually low.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | What it covers | When it rises |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete and color | $2-$5 | Per linear foot | Concrete mix, integral color, standard finish | Special colors or thicker profiles |
| Installation labor | $4-$8 | Per linear foot | Layout, forming or machine placement, finishing | Intricate curves and hand work |
| Equipment and setup | $1-$3 | Per linear foot | Edging machine, tools, mobilization | Small jobs or difficult access |
| Site preparation | $0-$4 | Per linear foot | Cutting a trench, clearing, minor leveling | Roots, compacted soil, uneven grade |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$6 | Per linear foot | Breaking out and hauling existing borders | Thick concrete or extensive debris |
Labor and preparation can affect the total as much as the concrete itself. A typical crew may work several hours on a modest installation and longer on a large or complicated layout. Labor can be estimated with ; local crew rates often equate to roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour after business overhead, although homeowners are generally quoted a project or per-foot price rather than an hourly bill.
Ask whether the contractor includes layout, cleanup, and protection of nearby lawn or planting beds. Equipment mobilization may be embedded in the rate or shown separately. A separate setup charge of roughly $100-$300 can make sense on a short run but can substantially raise its effective per-foot price.
Which length, curves, and edging profile change the rate?
Project length is one of the clearest cost drivers. At 50 linear feet, a contractor’s minimum charge can make the effective rate roughly $12-$20 per foot. A 150- to 250-foot continuous project may land closer to $8-$13 per foot because setup and travel are spread across more edging. Multiple disconnected areas can lose some of that quantity advantage.
Measure the actual border route, not just the length of the garden bed. Curves increase layout and finishing work, particularly when a design has many tight turns rather than broad sweeps. As a planning assumption, a gently curved run may remain near the basic rate, while repeated curves with a radius under about 2 feet can add roughly $1-$4 per foot. Ask the installer how the design affects the quote instead of assuming every curve has the same surcharge.
Profile dimensions matter, too. Standard landscape edging is generally less expensive than a wider or taller profile requiring more concrete and finishing. If the proposed border is about 4 inches wide and 4 inches deep, it will typically use less material than a profile around 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep. The larger profile may add approximately $2-$5 per foot, depending on the design and local labor.
Ground conditions can change the preparation allowance. Roots, rocky soil, a steep slope, or a narrow path that prevents machine access may add $1-$5 per foot or prompt a separate site charge. A route crossing a sprinkler line or utility area may also require careful hand work. Mark irrigation and private landscape lighting before installation; utility locating services may not identify every homeowner-installed line.
Finish choices have different price effects. Basic color and a simple texture are often part of the quoted package, but premium pigment, a stamped pattern, or a contrasting finish may add $1-$4 per foot. Confirm whether a displayed sample represents the included finish or an upgrade and whether the color is integral to the concrete or applied afterward.
When does removing old edging add another charge?
New edging installed beside a clear bed is usually less expensive than replacement. Removing old plastic or metal edging may add around $1-$3 per foot when it can be pulled quickly. Breaking out concrete, loading fragments, and hauling them away can add about $3-$6 per foot, with heavy or buried material potentially costing more.
Removal is most important to clarify when the existing border is concrete or has deep roots growing through it. A contractor may charge by the foot, by the hour, or as a fixed disposal fee. Ask whether the estimate covers loading and disposal, not just breaking the material loose. A haul-away minimum of $100-$300 is possible even when the actual debris volume is modest.
Other possible charges include hauling excess soil, repairing a damaged bed edge, moving decorative rock, or working around established plants. These are not always necessary. If a homeowner clears loose mulch and movable decorations beforehand, the crew may need less time, but excavation or removal of heavy materials should be agreed on in advance so the finished grade remains suitable.
Drainage changes are a separate scope item. A border should not block water that currently drains across a bed or yard. If a project requires grading, a drainage channel, or a gap at a low point, the extra work can range from about $100 for a minor adjustment to several hundred dollars for more extensive corrections.
How Border Magic quotes differ across U.S. regions
Local labor, travel, and contractor availability affect pricing. As a broad comparison, rural markets may run about 5%-15% below a national-style midpoint, while large metro areas with higher wages can run 10%-25% above it. These percentages are approximate: a rural location far from an installer can have higher mobilization costs, and a busy suburban market can have several competing crews.
For a standard 100-foot installation, a realistic regional range is roughly $800-$1,875 before unusual removal or access charges. At $8-$12 per foot in a lower-cost market, the total is $800-$1,200. At $12-$18.75 per foot in a high-cost market, it is $1,200-$1,875. The high metro range reflects the possibility of premium finishes or more complex layouts, not a universal regional rate.
Climate and season can affect scheduling as well as price. In colder areas, frozen ground and the shorter workable season can limit installation dates; in hot regions, demand may rise during peak landscaping months. Waiting for a contractor’s less-busy period may help, but rain, saturated soil, or unsuitable temperatures can delay concrete work. Compare local written quotes rather than applying a regional percentage mechanically.
How long a 100-foot installation takes and what labor includes
A simple 100-foot run often takes a small crew about 4-8 hours on site, including layout, preparation, placement, finishing, and cleanup. A 200-foot project may require one full day or more, particularly if it includes several separate beds. Demolition, hand excavation, tight curves, or a complex stamped finish can extend the work to 1-2 days.
Most labor charges are built into the per-foot estimate, so a longer duration does not automatically mean a separate hourly bill. Ask how many workers are expected, how much of the day is included, and what conditions trigger added labor. A quote that lists only a total can still be compared if the contractor confirms linear footage, profile dimensions, finish, prep, and cleanup.
Concrete needs time to set and gain strength. The installer should explain when foot traffic, mowing, irrigation, and heavy contact are safe. The exact timing varies with mix, temperature, and weather; homeowners should follow the contractor’s directions rather than treating the border as immediately ready for equipment or concentrated impact.
Scheduling can affect practical cost even when the per-foot price stays fixed. A short job may be grouped with nearby work, while a requested rush visit or isolated service call may carry a minimum or mobilization charge. Get any rush fee in writing and compare it with the cost of waiting for a standard opening.
Three sample Border Magic budgets by project size
The examples below show how scope changes an estimate. They use illustrative rates rather than fixed brand prices, and totals exclude sales tax where applicable. Each assumes a residential job with ordinary site access unless noted.
| Project | Scope and rate | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short garden bed | 50 ft at $14-$18 per ft | 3-5 crew hours; setup minimum applies | $700-$900 |
| Standard yard border | 120 ft at $9-$13 per ft | 5-8 crew hours; simple curves | $1,080-$1,560 |
| Replacement with custom finish | 180 ft at $12-$17 per ft, plus $3-$6 per ft removal | 1-2 days; old concrete hauled away | $2,700-$4,140 |
The most useful comparison is the complete installed total, not the lowest advertised rate per foot. The short-bed example has a higher unit price because setup is spread across fewer feet. The replacement example includes demolition and a custom finish, so comparing its rate with a basic new installation would not be apples to apples.
For a more detailed quote check, multiply the measured length by the quoted rate, then add any separate minimum, removal, disposal, or finish charge. For example, 120 feet at $11 per foot equals $1,320 before separately listed charges. If a quote totals $1,800, ask which scope items account for the additional $480 rather than assuming the per-foot price includes everything.
Which edging choices cost less than a custom concrete border?
Plastic landscape edging is usually a lower-cost option, often around $2-$6 per linear foot for materials and basic installation. Metal edging can run about $5-$15 per foot installed, depending on material thickness, height, and site conditions. Poured-in-place decorative concrete commonly costs more because it uses concrete, specialized equipment, and finishing labor.
A lower material price does not necessarily mean the same appearance or service life. Plastic is flexible and relatively easy to replace but may shift or become visible. Metal provides a narrow, defined edge, while concrete creates a more substantial border and can be colored or textured. Brick or paver edging often falls around $10-$25 per foot installed, with pattern, excavation, and base preparation affecting the price.
Repair may be cheaper than replacement when only a short portion is cracked or displaced. A small concrete repair can cost roughly $150-$500, depending on access and whether the damaged segment can be patched or must be removed and reinstalled. A contractor may set a minimum service charge, making repair of a few feet relatively expensive per foot. Ask whether the repair will match the existing color and texture closely.
DIY installation can reduce labor, but concrete edging requires careful layout, consistent depth, finishing, and cleanup. Equipment rental, concrete delivery, and mistakes can narrow the savings, especially on a small project. A homeowner comparing DIY with a quote should include material delivery, rental fees, disposal, and the value of any rework rather than comparing only the concrete price.
How to lower the quote without cutting the border short
Keep the scope clear before requesting estimates. Provide each contractor with the same approximate linear footage, profile size, color, texture, removal needs, and access conditions. A measured sketch with separate lengths for each bed reduces the chance that one quote assumes fewer feet or excludes a section another contractor included.
Choose a straightforward profile and finish before paying for upgrades that do not change the edging’s basic function. Simple color and texture, broad curves, and one continuous installation can reduce labor compared with numerous short runs, tight turns, or custom stamping. If the decorative detail matters, ask for its per-foot upgrade price so it can be weighed against the rest of the budget.
Prepare the work area within the contractor’s instructions. Moving pots, toys, loose branches, and lightweight decorations can help, and identifying sprinklers or lighting wires can prevent delays. Do not remove existing concrete or alter drainage without agreement; those tasks may be unsafe or may complicate the installation. Ask whether ordinary cleanup and soil leveling are already included.
Compare at least three written bids when local availability allows. Check the same details in each: total feet, included profile, finish, site preparation, removal and disposal, minimum charge, cleanup, payment schedule, and workmanship coverage. A quote $2 per foot lower saves $240 on 120 feet, but that difference may disappear if disposal or setup is excluded.
Finally, ask whether combining the border with nearby landscape work reduces mobilization, and whether an off-peak appointment is available. Avoid paying for an oversized profile or premium finish unless it fits the intended look and site needs. A clear, complete scope is the most dependable way to control the final Border Magic price without sacrificing the planned layout.