Poured concrete edging typically costs $5-$15 per linear foot installed, with many standard projects averaging about $9. A 100-foot run often totals $500-$1,500; curves, decorative finishes, site access, and regional labor rates can move the quote higher.
The estimate depends on the edging’s dimensions, concrete mix, preparation, and whether old borders must be removed. The figures below reflect typical U.S. residential work, not unusually complex hardscaping.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed edging per linear foot | $5 | $9 | $15 | Basic to moderately detailed work |
| 50-foot project | $250 | $450 | $750 | Accessible yard, standard profile |
| 100-foot project | $500 | $900 | $1,500 | Excludes substantial removal or repairs |
| Decorative or complex edging | $10 | $15 | $25 | Stamped, colored, tight curves, or difficult access |
What a standard poured edging run costs
For a straightforward landscape border, contractors commonly charge $5-$15 per linear foot, including basic forming, concrete, and installation. A typical 4- to 6-inch-wide, 4- to 6-inch-deep profile along 100 feet may cost $700-$1,200 where access is easy and the ground needs little correction.
About $9 per linear foot is a useful planning average for standard residential edging. A small job may face a minimum charge, while decorative colors, exposed aggregate, or complex curves can push pricing above the usual range.
Assumptions: U.S. residential property, standard concrete profile, ordinary soil, and normal equipment access.
How forming, concrete, and labor shape the quote
Quotes may combine several tasks into one installed rate. A written estimate should clarify whether it includes layout, excavation, forming, concrete placement, finish work, cleanup, and disposal.
| Cost component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete and basic supplies | $1-$3 per linear ft | Profile size, mix, color, and reinforcement |
| Labor and forming | $3-$8 per linear ft | Curves, hand work, and crew efficiency |
| Excavation and base preparation | $1-$4 per linear ft | Roots, rocks, slope, and soil condition |
| Equipment and mobilization | $75-$300 per project | Small jobs and difficult access |
| Removal and disposal | $2-$6 per linear ft | Existing concrete or heavy border material |
Labor and site preparation often account for more of the price than the concrete itself. Costs can overlap when a contractor provides a bundled per-foot rate, so these line items are best used to compare scope rather than added automatically.
Profile size and curves that raise edging prices
Concrete volume rises with the edging’s width and depth. A 6-by-6-inch profile uses more material and may take longer to form than a 4-by-4-inch border. Ask for the specified dimensions; a per-foot quote without them is difficult to compare.
Curved layouts also take longer than long, straight runs. Tight curves, frequent corners, and many short sections can add roughly 10%-30% to labor. Slopes, roots, rocky soil, and narrow access may add another $1-$5 per linear foot if extra digging or hand hauling is needed.
Confirm profile dimensions and measure the actual route, including curves, before accepting a total. If the design includes a mower edge, drainage channel, or unusually deep section, request separate pricing for that feature.
How long crews need to install 100 feet
A two- or three-person crew may install roughly 100-200 linear feet in a day on an accessible site, though excavation, detailed shaping, or cleanup can extend the work. Small jobs may take only several hours on site but still carry a minimum labor or mobilization fee.
For an hourly comparison, general landscape labor may run about $50-$100 per worker-hour, while specialty concrete crews can cost more. A quote based on a fixed per-foot rate may be simpler, but the scope should still state what preparation and finishing are included.
Labor time rises fastest when the layout has tight curves or the crew must move materials by hand. Ask whether the price includes forming removal and final cleanup, rather than assuming the installation rate covers them.
Three sample quotes for different edging layouts
These examples show how length, finish, and site work affect totals. They assume standard access and typical residential labor; local rates and minimum charges vary.
| Project | Scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Small straight border | 40 ft at $8-$12 per ft; basic profile | $320-$480 |
| Typical garden perimeter | 100 ft at $8-$14 per ft; moderate curves | $800-$1,400 |
| Decorative replacement | 120 ft at $14-$22 per ft; removal and colored finish | $1,680-$2,640 |
Small projects may exceed the table’s per-foot estimate if a contractor applies a $250-$500 minimum. Confirm whether disposal, color additives, sealing, and old edging removal are included in the quoted total.
Regional labor rates and difficult access
Prices in high-cost metro areas and parts of the Northeast or West Coast may run about 15%-35% above the national planning average. Lower-cost rural markets may come in 10%-20% below it, although travel distance and limited contractor availability can offset savings.
Access matters in every region. A mixer or wheelbarrow route blocked by fences, stairs, or landscaping can add labor and handling time. When comparing bids, give each contractor the same measured length, profile dimensions, finish, and site photos.
Compare at least two or three itemized quotes using the same project specifications. A lower per-foot price may omit excavation, removal, or decorative finishing that another estimate includes.
How to lower the price without cutting needed work
Keep the route as straight and continuous as practical, and combine edging with other concrete or landscape work when that avoids a separate mobilization charge. Clear movable items and trim back plants before the crew arrives, but leave digging near utilities to qualified professionals.
Choose a standard gray finish if color or stamping is optional, and avoid unnecessary oversizing. If existing edging is stable, ask whether it can remain rather than paying for removal. For a short run, bundling work with a neighbor may help meet a contractor’s minimum.
Control the layout and finish first; do not reduce the profile dimensions without checking the intended use. Get the final dimensions, total linear footage, finish, cleanup, and any extra charges in writing so the lowest estimate is also a comparable one.