Short answer
Landscape edging costs about $1 to $3.50 per linear foot for plastic, $1.50 to $4 for rubber, $2.50 to $6.50 for brick, $2.50 to $7 for wood, $3 to $8 for poured concrete, $5 to $11 for metal and $3 to $21.50 for stone in material, with pro labor adding $1.50 to $10 per foot (LawnStarter). For a typical 180 ft job, LawnStarter puts pro installs at $630 to $1,584 and DIY at $340 to $960.
Cost per linear foot by material
Material cost per linear foot (material only)
| Material | Material cost per ft | DIY | Curves | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | $1 to $3.50 * | Easy | Yes | Can heave in frost and crack in cold |
| No-dig plastic | Plastic range * | Easiest | Yes | Does not stop grass roots |
| Steel | $5 to $11 (metal) * | Moderate | Yes | Sharp top edge; rusts unless coated |
| Aluminum | About $2 (Hunker) * | Moderate | Yes | Dents more easily than steel |
| Corten steel | Metal range or more * | Moderate | Yes | Early rust runoff can stain paving |
| Natural stone | $3 to $21.50 * | Hard work | Yes | Grass creeps through gaps |
| Brick | $2.50 to $6.50 * | Moderate | Gentle | Shifts without a base |
| Paver edge restraint | Varies by system * | Moderate | Yes | Needs spikes into a compacted base |
| Concrete curbing | $3 to $8 poured * | Pro job | Yes | Permanent; can crack |
| Wood | $2.50 to $7 * | Easy | Short pieces only | Rots in wet soil over time |
| Rubber | $1.50 to $4 * | Easy | Yes | Looks less natural up close |
The figures marked * link to the source for each row. Most come from LawnStarter, updated December 2025. Aluminum is from Hunker, and concrete curbing from Lawn Love.
Other published ranges
Different cost guides survey different markets, so their ranges do not line up exactly. Hunker gives these material figures:
| Material | Hunker range per foot | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | 35 cents to $3 | Most plastic edging is 4 in tall |
| Steel | Under $1 to $15 | Sold in three heights |
| Aluminum | About $2 | Dents easily |
| Treated wood | $5 to $15 | Can last a decade or more |
| Concrete pavers | About $1.50 | |
| Brick | $3.50 to $5.50 | |
| Natural stone | $12 to $18 | At least 4 in wide, thick and long |
Treat any per foot price as a starting point. Local supply, delivery charges and how much of a product you buy all move it.
Labor and pro install
LawnStarter puts labor at about $1.50 to $10 per linear foot, and the average all-in cost at about $3.50 to $8.80 per foot. Cutting a curb into existing concrete runs about $4 to $12 per square foot. Labor is highest for heavy materials (stone, brick on a base) and for poured curbing, which needs a curbing machine.
DIY vs pro: a 180 ft example
| DIY | Hired out | |
|---|---|---|
| Edging for about 180 ft | $340 to $960 (LawnStarter) | $630 to $1,584 (LawnStarter) |
| Concrete curbing, about 180 ft | Rarely DIY | $630 to $1,710, average about $1,170 (Lawn Love) |
LawnStarter uses 180 ft as a typical yard, and Lawn Love uses about the same length for curbing. Your own total is your measured length times the per foot price, plus stakes, sand or tools you do not own.
How to measure linear feet
- Lay out the line first. Set a hose where the edge will go and adjust the curves.
- Measure along the curve. Run a flexible tape along the hose, or mark the hose at each end and straighten it out to measure. A straight-line measurement across a curved bed undercounts.
- Add up every run. Measure each bed and path edge separately, then total them.
- Add a margin. A common rule of thumb is about 10 percent extra for overlaps at joins, cuts and mistakes.
- Round up to whole packs. Edging comes in coils, kits and fixed lengths (Colmet steel comes in 10 ft lengths per maker specs), so buy enough whole pieces.
Small extras to budget for
Cheap edging options
- Spade-cut edge (free). A trench about 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide, touched up once or twice a year (Illinois Extension). See lawn edging.
- Plastic coil. The cheapest bought edging. Choose a round-top style and stake it well. See plastic landscape edging.
- No-dig edging. Plastic-range price and no trench, but it does not stop grass. See no-dig edging.
- Reclaimed brick or stone. Free or cheap if you can find it locally; set it on sand. See brick edging.
- Concrete pavers. Hunker quotes about $1.50 per foot. See paver edging.
More low-cost looks are in landscape edging ideas.
Where it pays to spend more
The cheapest edge is not always the cheapest over time. Illinois Extension calls steel the longest-lasting option and plastic poor on durability. Along a long lawn edge that you mow every week, an edge that stays straight saves re-setting and trimming. On a back border nobody sees, plastic or a spade cut is fine. For the trade-offs by material, see landscape edging materials compared, or try the edging picker.
Questions people ask
How much does landscape edging cost per foot?
LawnStarter puts the average installed cost at about $3.50 to $8.80 per linear foot. Material alone ranges from about $1 per foot for basic plastic to $11 per foot for metal and up to $21.50 for some stone. Labor adds about $1.50 to $10 per foot.
What is the cheapest landscape edging?
A spade-cut trench edge is free. Of bought materials, plastic is usually cheapest: LawnStarter lists $1 to $3.50 per foot, and Hunker quotes 35 cents to $3 per foot. Reclaimed brick or stone you already have can also cost nothing but time.
How much does concrete curbing cost?
Lawn Love puts poured concrete curbing at about $3 to $8 per linear foot, precast at $2 to $3.50 and stamped at $3 to $9. Most projects run $630 to $1,710 for about 180 feet, with a national average near $1,170.
How do I measure for landscape edging?
Measure along the actual line of the edge, following every curve, not straight across. A flexible tape, a hose or a string laid along the line works. A common rule of thumb is to add about 10 percent for overlaps, joins and cutting waste.
Is DIY edging worth it?
For plastic, no-dig, metal strip and wood, usually yes: LawnStarter puts a 180 ft DIY job at $340 to $960 versus $630 to $1,584 hired. Poured concrete curbing needs a curbing machine and is normally a pro job.
Sources
- LawnStarter, How much does landscape edging cost? (updated December 27, 2025)
- Hunker, The best types of landscape edging
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- Lawn Love, How much does landscape curbing cost? (updated October 2026)
- Colmet Traditional steel edging specifications (maker, via Sweets)
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- Call 811, Know what is below (national call-before-you-dig line)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, call 811 before you dig, and follow the maker’s instructions.