Frequently Asked Questions

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Our first step in the process is to provide you with an estimate. During this phase, we'll walk through your property together to understand your desired design, curves, and the flow of the curbing you envision. We'll also assess the parking situation for our equipment during the job.

Once your estimate is approved, we'll coordinate an installation weekend with you. Weather is the primary factor that may require rescheduling. If there are prolonged periods of inclement weather causing delays, your installation will be postponed to a later date. 

Installations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis following estimate approval. Throughout this process, we'll maintain communication with you to keep you informed.

Depending on the project's size and availability, we'll either arrive beforehand to prepare your yard or do so on the morning of the installation. We'll keep you updated on the most suitable approach.

On the morning of your project, we'll notify you upon arrival and begin setup. While we take measures to maintain cleanliness, please expect some temporary disruption and noise from the equipment—it's similar to a construction site. Rest assured, we'll tidy up before completion.

After finishing the job, we'll walk through the property with you to ensure you're satisfied with the finished product. You'll have the opportunity to inspect and approve the completed work, and we'll collect final payment at this time.

If you have existing grass, it will not be affected by our machines. The grass in the area where the curb is laid is trenched to install your curbing. Outside of that area, the grass remains unchanged. We transfer the concrete using a Piledriver, equipped with large turf tires that do not tear up the grass. Your curb is extruded through a machine like this, which we manufacture. The concrete is mixed onsite using a specialized trailer and mortar mixer. We operate as a self-contained unit and require no external resources such as water or electricity. Our process minimally disturbs your property. However, please note that there may be very small leftover materials next to the curb or in the grass, which are easily cleaned up.

Curbing is a concrete product, and any company claiming their curbing never cracks is not being truthful. We take great care to minimize cracks by using correct ratios and techniques for mixing and finishing concrete. It's important to distinguish between spider cracks, which can occur naturally, and more significant separations.

It's crucial to understand that concrete can and will develop cracks due to various factors such as materials, layout, and temperature. Steep angles, inclines, and declines pose challenges, as our curbing machine, weighing approximately 210 lbs, struggles to achieve adequate compression in these situations.

Cracks are inherent to concrete but are covered under warranty if they exceed 1/4 inch in width on level ground, indicating operator error or inadequate compaction. We strategically place expansion joints every 12-18 inches to relieve stress during the curing process. Similar to cuts in sidewalks or driveways, these joints anticipate where cracks might occur, ensuring the curbing's durability.

If a small crack appears near the ground, it's a sign that these control joints are functioning correctly by alleviating stress, not that the curbing itself has cracked.

We offer a variety of options with our curbing. You can choose from different sizes, styles, and shapes. Our curbing can be colored, stamped, or both. We also offer multi-colored options with various antique releases. Additionally, our new carving techniques allow us to create curbing that resembles stone.

If your yard already has existing grass and sprinklers, you can certainly have curb installed. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Existing yards are considered retro-fit projects, done after initial landscaping. Typically, curbing is installed before sprinklers, rocks, or mulch so that curbers can create smooth, uninterrupted lines without obstacles like sprinkler heads.

Since your sprinklers and possibly plastic or brick edging are already in place, the curbing must be installed outside of these areas to create new lines. Curbing can be easily placed around existing sprinkler heads to ensure smooth, attractive lines. The space behind the curbing can then be filled with your preferred material.

For sure!  Smooth flowing lines and curves provide the best aesthetic appeal. Straight lines and sharp corners not only lack visual appeal but also pose challenges for mowing and drainage. Keep in mind that a 210 lb machine is used to lay your curb, and because it's constantly moving, perfectly straight lines are impossible, regardless of the company.

When curbing around your house, it's essential for the lines to flow smoothly for easy maintenance and a seamless transition between sections. Take a look at yards with curbing—do the lines flow gracefully or appear jagged and disjointed? This is often a telltale sign of inexperienced operators. Flow is crucial as it creates the first impression when someone passes by.

Our curbing comes with a one-year workmanship warranty. Due to the rapid curing of this type of concrete, any issues typically arise within the first 24 hours. Spider cracks are a potential occurrence with concrete, although we rarely encounter them. It's important to be aware of this possibility.

If a crack wider than 1/4 inch develops, it's considered operator error and will be repaired under warranty. However, cracks caused by vehicles, heavy mowers, or natural events such as tree roots or ground heaving are not covered. Common sense plays a role here—landscape curbing may not withstand the weight of a vehicle driving over it.

Spider cracks are a natural aspect of concrete and may appear in certain conditions.

Please ensure all sprinklers are clearly marked with either flags or paint. When we cut the sod, we use a bed edger with a rotating blade that could damage unmarked sprinklers. We are not liable for any damage to sprinklers that are not properly marked.

Additionally, please ensure that your driveway or the street area is clear of vehicles so that we have ample space to park.

For new construction projects, it's preferable to install curbing before placing sprinklers. Most sprinkler companies prefer this approach as it allows for smoother installation processes for both parties. If sprinklers are installed first, they dictate the placement of the curb, potentially leading to less smooth and flowing lines as we adjust to their positions.

Conversely, when curbing is installed first, sprinkler heads can be positioned adjacent to the curb. For existing lawns, in about 90% of cases, we place the curb outside of existing sprinkler heads to achieve clean lines. Rest assured, your sprinkler heads will operate normally and spray over the curb without obstruction.

We apply a high gloss acrylic sealer to all colored curbing, whether stamped or not. This sealer enhances the color and gives it a vibrant appearance. Water-based sealers are not suitable for this purpose, so we ensure they are not used on your curb.

Please note, all sealers, regardless of type, will require reapplication over time. Exposure to sunlight and UV rays causes the sealer to break down gradually. This doesn't mean it will peel off or disappear entirely; rather, it will lose its shine and require re-emulsification. Applying another coat will restore the vibrant colors, similar to the initial application, and refresh the appearance of your curbing.

This is a critical issue that requires attention. We make small "v" cuts in the concrete in every area that might collect water, allowing it to drain properly. The drains installed around your house are strategically placed where gravity naturally directs water flow, ensuring it has an exit point.

The cuts we make are specifically designed to manage water from direct rainfall. However, it's crucial that your downspouts extend over the top of the curb to divert large volumes of water from the roof outside the curb area initially. If water doesn't exit through these drains and instead pools against the house, it can lead to erosion and potential damage. It's imperative that downspouts are extended properly to prevent such issues.

Please note, we are not liable for any damage caused by negligence from homeowners or landscapers. The 4-inch concrete curb acts as a dam and can retain water, which is why careful consideration is needed when planning long waves and curves to manage drainage effectively. Water naturally settles at the bottom of curves, making it straightforward to place drains in these areas.

Yes, we do have a minimum footage requirement. It's important to understand that a typical curbing crew consists of 3-4 men with a truck and trailer carrying all necessary equipment. Traveling across town for a project as small as 20 feet would not be feasible financially for any company.

Currently, our minimum footage requirement is $600. While some companies may offer lower minimums, they may operate with smaller crews. Tree rings, in particular, require sufficient size to accommodate growth in the coming years, making them challenging and time-consuming to install.

For tree rings, we enforce a minimum of 25 feet, ensuring a diameter of at least 6 feet.

As mentioned earlier, we maintain a minimum charge of $600 per property. Whether your curb is accidentally damaged by a skid steer or someone steps on it post-installation, the effort and resources required to repair it remain the same. This includes bringing in the necessary equipment and crew, regardless of whether it's a 10-foot repair or a 500-foot installation.