Total Concrete Required
1.13 m³
Ready-mix concrete for footing
Calculate concrete footings for garden edging and driveway kerbs
Free Australian kerbing footing calculator. Get accurate concrete volumes, dimensions, and costs for garden kerbing, driveway edging, and landscape border footings in 2026.
Professional footing calculations for decorative and functional landscape edging
Calculate precise concrete footing volumes for garden kerbs, driveway edging, and decorative borders. Our calculator determines proper footing width, depth, and reinforcement requirements based on kerb height, soil type, and load conditions for stable, long-lasting installations.
Suitable for garden bed kerbing, driveway borders, pathway edging, decorative landscape features, and commercial kerb installations. Calculate footings for exposed aggregate, colored concrete, natural stone, or brick kerbing systems with proper structural support.
Get detailed 2026 material costs including ready-mix concrete, reinforcing steel, formwork, and installation labor. Compare DIY kerbing installation versus professional landscaping quotes to budget accurately for your garden or driveway edging project.
Enter kerbing length and footing specifications
Typical garden kerbing installation showing concrete footing (300mm wide × 150mm deep) supporting decorative kerb block. Footing distributes load across wider area preventing settlement and cracking.
Kerbing footings provide essential structural support for garden edging, driveway borders, and landscape features. A properly designed footing prevents kerb settlement, cracking, and movement caused by soil movement, frost heave, or load stresses. The footing must be wider than the kerb itself to distribute weight across a larger soil area, reducing ground pressure below the soil bearing capacity.
Australian garden kerbing typically requires 250-350mm wide footings at 150-200mm depth depending on kerb height and soil conditions. Driveway kerbs subject to vehicle impact need deeper, reinforced footings. For comprehensive landscape construction standards, refer to Landscaping Australia guidelines for professional installation practices and material specifications.
Essential Requirements: Footing width should be 2-3 times kerb width for stability. Minimum 150mm depth in stable soils, 200mm in reactive clay. Extend footings below frost line in cold climates (typically 300mm+ depth). Always excavate to firm, undisturbed soil removing topsoil and loose material before pouring concrete.
Footing dimensions vary based on kerb type, height, and soil bearing capacity. Garden bed kerbing (100-150mm high) typically uses 250-300mm wide × 150mm deep footings. Driveway kerbs (180-200mm high) require 300-400mm wide × 150-200mm deep footings. Commercial kerbs or tall decorative walls need engineering assessment for appropriate footing design.
| Kerb Type | Kerb Height | Footing Width | Footing Depth | Concrete per m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Edging | 80-100mm | 200-250mm | 150mm | 0.030-0.038 m³ |
| Garden Kerb | 100-150mm | 250-300mm | 150mm | 0.038-0.045 m³ |
| Driveway Kerb | 180-200mm | 300-350mm | 150-200mm | 0.045-0.070 m³ |
| Commercial Kerb | 200-250mm | 350-450mm | 200-250mm | 0.070-0.113 m³ |
| Decorative Wall | 300-500mm | 450-600mm | 250-300mm | 0.113-0.180 m³ |
Soil bearing capacity determines required footing depth and width. Stable sandy soils with good drainage support standard 150mm deep footings. Reactive clay soils prone to expansion and contraction require deeper footings (200-250mm) to minimize seasonal movement effects. Very soft or fill soils may need engineered solutions including deeper footings or soil stabilization.
Bearing Capacity: 100-200 kPa
Footing Depth: 150mm minimum
Characteristics: Free-draining, minimal movement, excellent stability
Best For: Standard garden kerbing, light applications requiring minimal excavation
Bearing Capacity: 75-150 kPa
Footing Depth: 150-200mm
Characteristics: Moderate drainage, some seasonal movement
Best For: Most residential kerbing, requires proper compaction and drainage consideration
Bearing Capacity: 50-100 kPa
Footing Depth: 200-300mm
Characteristics: Significant expansion/shrinkage, seasonal movement
Best For: Requires deeper footings, reinforcement, and engineering assessment for stability
Garden kerbing footings typically use N20 (20 MPa) concrete which provides adequate strength for residential applications. Driveway kerbs subject to vehicle loads benefit from N25 concrete for additional durability. Reinforcement is optional for low garden edging but recommended for driveway kerbs and any kerbing over 150mm height to control cracking and improve structural integrity.
F72 reinforcing mesh (6.75mm wire at 200mm centers) suits standard garden kerbing when placed 40mm from footing bottom. Driveway kerbs benefit from N12 rebar (12mm diameter deformed bar) positioned continuously along footing length with 300mm overlaps at joins. For related concrete work, check our access road concrete calculator for driveway and pathway specifications.
When to Reinforce: Always reinforce driveway kerbs, kerbing over 150mm height, or installations in reactive soils. Use F72 mesh for garden kerbs, N12 rebar for driveway applications. Position steel 40-50mm from footing bottom using plastic bar chairs. Overlap mesh/rebar by 300mm at joints. Reinforcement reduces cracking by 70-80% compared to plain concrete.
Proper installation technique ensures stable, long-lasting kerbing. Mark kerb line using string line and stakes ensuring smooth curves and straight runs. Excavate trench to required footing width and depth, removing all topsoil and loose material. Compact trench bottom thoroughly using hand tamper or plate compactor. Install formwork along trench edges to contain concrete and define kerb alignment.
Avoid These Errors: Never pour footings onto loose or organic soil - always excavate to firm ground. Don't skip formwork - uncontained concrete spreads and weakens footing. Insufficient compaction causes settlement within 6-12 months. Pouring in rain dilutes concrete reducing strength by 30-50%. Always cure properly - rapid drying causes surface cracking and reduced durability.
Kerbing footing costs in Australia vary based on length, footing dimensions, reinforcement requirements, and soil conditions. DIY garden kerb footings cost $8-15 per linear metre for materials (25m run = $200-375 materials only). Professional installation including excavation, footings, and kerb placement costs $75-150 per metre ($1,875-3,750 for 25m) depending on kerb type, site access, and finish specifications.
DIY kerbing installation saves 60-70% on labor costs but requires proper tools, technique, and physical capability. Small projects under 10 metres are manageable DIY installations with mixer hire and helper assistance. Longer runs, curved designs, or driveway kerbs benefit from professional installation ensuring proper alignment, levels, and structural integrity. Poor DIY work causes uneven kerbing, cracking, and settlement requiring costly reinstallation.
Professional landscapers charge $75-150/m for complete kerbing installation in 2026 including excavation, footings, kerb placement, backfill, and cleanup. Decorative finishes like exposed aggregate, colored concrete, or natural stone kerbing cost $100-200/m. For comprehensive outdoor projects, explore our balcony slab calculator for additional concrete construction requirements.
Cost: $8-15/m materials only
Time: 3-5 hours per 10m
Skill Level: Intermediate
Equipment: Cement mixer, wheelbarrow, shovels, level, formwork timber, trowels
Best For: Straight runs, simple garden edging, budget-conscious projects
Cost: $75-150/m complete
Time: 1-2 days for 25m run
Warranty: 12 months typical
Includes: Excavation, footings, kerbs, cleanup, guarantee
Best For: Curved designs, driveway kerbs, long runs, quality finish
Reduce Expenses: Order concrete with other projects to share delivery costs. Reuse formwork for multiple pours. Use standard kerb heights avoiding custom dimensions. Do site clearing and excavation yourself hiring only for concrete work. Purchase materials from trade suppliers for 20-30% discount. Consider colored kerbs rather than painting later which costs extra and requires maintenance.
Kerbing affects water flow patterns around gardens and driveways. Garden kerbs trap water requiring drainage outlets or gaps every 5-10 metres to prevent waterlogging and plant root rot. Driveway kerbs should direct water toward stormwater drains or swales avoiding flow across footpaths. Install agricultural pipe behind kerbing in poorly draining areas to manage water accumulation during heavy rain.
Garden kerbing footings should be 250-300mm wide for 100-150mm high kerbs. Driveway kerbs require 300-400mm wide footings for 180-200mm high applications. The footing should be 2-3 times wider than the kerb for proper load distribution. In reactive clay soils, increase footing width by 50mm and depth to 200mm minimum for stability against soil movement.
Standard garden kerbing footings require 150mm depth in stable sandy soils. Increase to 200mm depth in clay soils or for driveway kerbs. In reactive clay areas, dig 200-250mm deep to minimize seasonal movement effects. Always excavate through topsoil to firm, undisturbed ground. Add 50mm crushed rock base below footing in poorly draining or soft soils for additional stability.
Low garden edging under 100mm height doesn't require reinforcement in stable soils. Reinforce garden kerbs 100-150mm high with F72 mesh for crack control. Always reinforce driveway kerbs with N12 rebar to handle vehicle impact loads. Kerbing in reactive clay soils benefits from reinforcement regardless of height. Position steel 40-50mm from footing bottom using bar chairs for optimal placement.
25 metres of standard garden kerbing with 300mm wide × 150mm deep footing requires approximately 1.13 m³ concrete. Driveway kerbs at 350mm wide × 200mm deep need 1.75 m³ for 25m run. Add 10% wastage allowance. Order minimum 0.5m³ from ready-mix suppliers who typically charge minimum delivery fees. For smaller quantities under 0.5m³, consider site-mixed concrete or pre-mixed bags.
Never lay kerbing directly on soil - this causes rapid settlement, cracking, and kerb failure within 6-12 months. Always install proper concrete footings providing stable foundation and load distribution. Footings prevent movement from soil expansion, frost heave, or ground settlement. Even lightweight decorative edging performs better with thin (100mm) concrete footing than direct soil placement.
Wait minimum 7 days before backfilling behind garden kerbing to allow concrete footing to cure adequately. For driveway kerbs or applications with soil pressure, wait 14 days before backfilling. Backfill in 150mm layers compacting each lift gently to avoid disturbing new kerb. Full concrete strength develops at 28 days - avoid heavy loads or vehicle impact until fully cured.
DIY garden kerbing costs $8-15/m for materials ($200-375 for 25m) versus professional installation at $75-150/m ($1,875-3,750 for 25m). Professional installation includes excavation, footings, kerbs, labor, cleanup, and warranty. DIY saves 60-70% but requires cement mixer hire ($40-60/day), proper tools, and multiple helpers for concrete work. Poor DIY installation costs more long-term through repairs and replacements.