Landscape curbing: lawn and bed edging
Landscape curbing is a continuous, low concrete border that separates lawn from planting beds, gravel or mulch. It is poured in place in one run rather than set as separate pieces, so it follows curves and does not have gaps where grass creeps through. Common uses are curved front-yard beds, tree rings, the edge of a lawn along a driveway, and borders around a concrete patio or walkway.
Shapes vary by contractor. Some profiles are flat on top so a mower wheel can ride along them, others are angled or rounded for looks. Color can be mixed in, and some contractors stamp a pattern into the face. Ask to see the profiles a contractor offers and a finished job in person, because names for the shapes are not standard.
Curbing cost per linear foot
Curbing is priced by the linear foot, not the square foot. One cost aggregator, ProMatcher, reported these Sacramento figures from 2020 and 2021. They are a few years old and come from one source, so treat them as a sanity check, not a quote.
| Job | Reported Sacramento average | Reported range |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape curbing, mid-grade concrete | $6.74 per linear ft | $6.32–$7.15 |
| Concrete curb and gutter | $32.72 per linear ft | $29.63–$35.80 |
What moves a curbing quote: total length (short runs carry a minimum charge), color or stamping, how much sod or old edging has to come out first, and access to the yard. Curb and gutter at the street costs several times more per foot because it is thicker, carries water and traffic, and comes with permit and inspection steps.
Street curb and gutter: permits and standards
Curb and gutter in front of a home sits in the public right-of-way. In the City of Sacramento, any work in the right-of-way needs an encroachment permit, and a new or modified curb cut for a driveway needs a driveway permit. In unincorporated Sacramento County, SacDOT issues encroachment permits for work in the county right-of-way. Cities set their own specs: a Roseville requirements sheet for minor sidewalk and driveway permits, for example, calls for a 7-inch gutter, tooled joints 2 inches deep and no pouring or finishing in rain.
- Ask who pulls the encroachment permit and whether its fee is in the quote.
- Ask how the contractor will tie the new curb into the existing gutter flow line so water still drains to the inlet.
- Expect the city or county to inspect before and after the pour.
What to ask before you book
- What profile, color and finish are included in the per-foot price?
- Is there a minimum charge, and how is it applied on short runs?
- How will sprinkler lines near the edge be found and protected?
- Will the curbing get control cuts so it cracks at a joint rather than randomly?
- Is sealing included, and how often should it be redone?
In California, paid work of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a permit, requires a licensed contractor. Concrete work is typically under a C-8 Concrete license; check any license at cslb.ca.gov. Send a request with the rough length and a photo, and a licensed contractor can measure and quote in writing.
Main guide: concrete contractors in Sacramento.