Edging installation in Exeter
Professional edging installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£210
Typical Duration
1.5-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Edging installed properly to contain your driveway, path, or garden beds. Dug in, set on concrete, level and stable. Stops spreading, defines spaces, makes everything look finished.
The Unsung Hero of Driveways and Paths
Block paving spreading outward? Gravel spilling onto the lawn? Missing or failed edging is usually the culprit - and it only gets worse.
💡 Pro tip: Proper edge restraint isn't optional for block paving - it's structural. Without it, the blocks spread, the surface becomes uneven, and joints fail. Good edging adds decades to a driveway's life.
Why Edging Matters
| ✅ Proper Edging Installed | ❌ No Edging or Failed Edging |
|---|---|
| Block paving stays tight and level | Blocks spread outward, surface drops |
| Gravel stays where you put it | Stones migrate onto lawn and beds |
| Clean definition between spaces | Blurred edges, messy appearance |
| Surface drains properly | Water pools at spreading edges |
| Lasts for decades | Constant maintenance fighting spread |
Edging Material Options
| Material | Best For | Durability | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete kerbs | Driveways, heavy traffic | Decades | Functional, clean |
| Block paving edging | Matching block drives | Decades | Blends in perfectly |
| Brick on edge | Garden paths, traditional | Decades | Classic, suits period properties |
| Timber (sleepers) | Gravel paths, raised beds | 10-15 years | Natural, informal |
| Metal edging | Lawns, curved edges | 15-20 years | Modern, minimal |
I'll recommend what suits your project and budget.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Mark Out | String line set to show exact edge line |
| Excavate | Trench dug alongside existing surface |
| Set | Edging placed and set in concrete haunching |
| Finish | Backfill soil, clean up, leave tidy |
📦 You're Left With
- Solid edge restraint that won't shift
- Contained surface (no more spreading)
- Clean line defining your spaces
- Long-term stability
Pricing Guide
| Run Length | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 metres | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| 5-8 metres | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
| 8-12 metres | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Includes labour and concrete. Edging materials (kerbs, blocks, timber) charged separately - typically £5-15 per metre depending on type.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Block paving spreading - add edge restraint before it gets worse
✅ New gravel path - install edging first, then lay gravel
✅ Lawn mowing strip - define beds and cut strimming time
✅ Tidy up before selling - neat edges make spaces look cared-for
Why Choose Us for Edging installation in Exeter?
Proper edge restraint stops paving spreading
Choice of materials to suit your property
Set on concrete for long-term stability
Defines spaces and improves drainage
What to Expect
Step 1: Mark & Plan
I'll set string lines to show where the edging will run. We'll discuss material options and you can see exactly what it'll look like before I start digging.
Step 2: Dig & Set
Trench dug alongside your paving or path. Concrete haunching laid, edging set level and true to the line. Curves and corners take more time but create smooth, professional results.
Step 3: Finish Up
Once concrete has gone off (couple of hours), I backfill the trench, remove excess concrete, and clean everything up. Clean lines, tidy finish.
🔧 DIY Tips
Edging installation is absolutely DIY-able with some care:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spade and shovel
- String line and pegs
- Spirit level
- Wheelbarrow and bucket
- Trowel
- Lump hammer
📏 Setting out
- Mark your line with string and pegs - this guides everything
- For curves, lay a hosepipe on the ground first to visualise
- Measure the run to calculate material quantities
🏗️ Installation process
- Dig trench about 200mm deep, 150mm wide
- Mix concrete (4:1 ballast to cement)
- Lay 50mm concrete bed in bottom of trench
- Set edging on wet concrete, tap level with lump hammer
- Pack concrete haunching against the back edge (50-75mm thick)
- Keep checking level as you go
- Backfill with soil once concrete has set
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Trench too shallow (edging shifts under pressure)
- Not enough concrete haunching (main cause of failure)
- Inconsistent height along the run (looks amateur)
- Setting edging against wet paving (disturbs both)
- Trying to work in freezing weather (concrete won't set)
💡 Pro trick: For block paving edging, set it 2-3mm higher than the blocks initially. Block paving settles slightly over time - having the edge fractionally proud prevents it looking sunken later.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Driveway edge restraint? This needs doing properly or your whole drive will gradually fail. Concrete kerbs or purpose-made edging blocks set in concrete haunching - nothing less will hold the lateral forces from vehicle weight.
Curved edges? These take longer because you're making small adjustments with every piece. Specialist flexible edging exists for tight curves (metal or plastic), but for gentle curves, short sections of rigid edging work fine.
Exeter's clay soil? Heavy clay moves with wet/dry cycles and can push edging out of position over time. The concrete haunching is even more important here - it anchors everything solidly regardless of what the soil's doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of edging is best for my driveway?
Depends on what's being contained and the look you're after. Block paving needs solid edge restraint (concrete kerbs or edging blocks set in concrete) to stop it spreading. Gravel drives can use timber, brick, or metal edging. I'll recommend what makes sense for your specific situation and budget.
Why does edging need to be set in concrete?
Because driveways and paths push outwards - vehicle weight and foot traffic create lateral forces. Edging just stuck in soil shifts and spreads within months. Set on a concrete haunching and it stays put for decades. It's the difference between doing it once or redoing it every couple of years.
Can you install edging to an existing driveway?
Yes - that's often what's needed when block paving starts spreading or gravel keeps migrating. I dig alongside the existing surface, set proper edging in concrete, then backfill. Immediately stabilises everything and stops further movement.
How long does typical driveway edging take?
Single driveway edge (one side, about 5-8 metres) usually takes 2-3 hours including digging, concreting, and cleanup. Both sides of a path, or longer runs with curves, takes 3-4 hours. I'll give you a specific estimate based on your measurements.
Do I need to supply the edging materials?
Either way works. If you know what you want (specific bricks, timber type, etc.), buy them yourself. If you're not sure, tell me what you're edging and I'll advise on materials and quantities, then pick them up from the builder's merchant.
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