FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NOTHING BUT THE FAQsWelcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page in Lil’ Bubba,
where we’ve compiled answers to the most common inquiries
to help you find the information you need quickly and efficiently.
What is a curbing business?
A curbing business is a proven successful business model installing decorative concrete landscape edging for residential and commercial clients. The cornerstone of the business is a small concrete extruding machine which forms continuous concrete curbing from the raw materials like sand and cement that is mixed on the job site. The business has proven to be extremely popular during the last 35 years with many new innovations such as Lil Bubba’s Moroccan Natural Stone which transforms the concrete curbs into very real and natural looking stone borders.
What type of concrete is used for curbing?
These days most concrete curbing is formed from zero slump concrete extruded by a machine like Lil’ Bubba’s Hornet EP. The concrete used for landscape curbs is similar to mortar with a ratio of 4 parts sand to 1 part Portland cement while parking lots require a much stronger formula such as 2 parts sand to 2 parts pea gravel and 1 part Portland cement. If the concrete curbing is to be placed using traditional forms the process is much slower, but the concrete can have more water content with up to a 2 inch slump.
Is concrete landscape curbing worth it?
When compared to all other options for bordering flower beds, concrete landscape curbing is one of the most durable and cost effective choices with excellent longevity of 20 years or more. Concrete landscape curbing adds instant curb appeal and provides an excellent barrier to stop weeds and lawn from encroaching into the flower beds. It is also a very good retainer of mulch where heavy rain might wash mulch out of the beds.
How long does curbing take to cure?
Concrete Curbing installed with a machine like the Lil Bubba EP Hornet takes approximately 4 hours to be safe from rain damage. If rain is expected soon after installation it must be covered with plastic sheet to protect it. Curbing will be fully cured to maximum strength in 30 days. Correctly sealing fresh concrete curbing as it is installed, helps tremendously with protecting the curb from damage and makes it to cure faster and stronger.
How much does a Power Curber cost?
The Lil Bubba EP Hornet is a high volume power curber and costs $8,850.00 with one mold and trowels. The machine can produce curbing for all types of landscape applications and is the only machine in the world that can produce both landscape and commercial curbs without modification. Supplied with a limited lifetime warranty and built extremely sturdy to last through years of concrete extruding, the Lil’ Bubba Hornet is the cornerstone of thousands of curb installation companies throughout USA and Canada.
How deep should a concrete curb be?
Concrete curb should be installed to a depth of at least 2 inches below grade to provide stability for the curbing and resist roots from the lawn encroaching into the flower beds. If the curb is a border for a driveway or path, the preparation should be more like 3 or 4 inches deep to support the curb when contacted by vehicles and golf carts etc.
How do you prepare ground for curbing?
In warmer climates to prepare ground for curbing the lawn and other vegetation must be completely removed to a depth of 2 inches and the resulting trench surface compacted anywhere the soil is loose prior to installing curbing. In areas where freeze-thaw is an issue, the preparation should be at least 1 inch deeper with a layer of compacted gravel then installed to protect concrete curbing from heaving and freeze damage.
How do you make homemade concrete curbing?
Homemade concrete curbing can be created by first digging a trench 3 inches deep around the desired area and then placing 3 inch wide strips of plywood or masonite along both sides of the trench to create a straight or curved form. The forms are held in place with stakes driven in on the outside every 18 inches to support the form to the correct position and height. It is often more cost effective to employ a Landscape Curb contractor to use a curb machine to install curbs faster and more consistently..
What is a concrete curb machine called?
A concrete curb machine is called the Lil’ Bubba EP Hornet. The EP represents Extreme Plunger which references the elliptical motion the machine plunger makes during each compaction stroke. The concrete curb machine is a device originally invented in Australia before becoming popular in the United States and many other countries.
How long does concrete curbing last?
Concrete curbing lasts 20 years or more when properly cared for and maintained. Most concrete curbing is installed with colored pigments to enhance the beauty of the finished work and this color must be protected with a UV resistant concrete sealer The sealer should be re-applied every 2 years to maintain its effectiveness and retain the colors in the curbing. Damage to curbing can result from large tree roots and vehicular traffic and this damage should be repaired as soon as possible to maintain the beauty and integrity of the product. Some machines like the Lil’ Bubba EP extrude galvanized wire cable directly into the curb which largely protects it from that sort of damage.
How much does it cost to make a curb?
The cost to make a curb around a flower bed or line a driveway varies depending on the size or shape of the curb, the color and pattern on the surface, the size of the whole installation and where you are located. It can vary from $6 to $8 per foot for plain curb and be as much as $25 per foot for larger curbs or artisan installations like Lil’ Bubba Moroccan Natural Stone curb.
What type of concrete is used for curbing?
To make concrete for curbing the best type of Portland cement to use is Type 1 or Type 2 when available. Type IL (limestone) cement is also OK. This cement is mixed at a ratio of 1 part to 4 parts clean coarse sand. Many other additives are used to enhance the strength and durability of the finished curb such as polypropylene or fiberglass fiber, anti-efflorescent chemicals like Lil’ Bubba Colorguard+ and plasticizers like Lil’ Bubba CurbTough to aid hydration of the cement. Finishing aids applied by spray are also use to help with troweling such as CurbFilm by Lil’ Bubba.
What are the different types of curbing?
Curbing has many different types but generally speaking there are two categories. Commercial curbing and Landscape curbing. Commercial curbing is used to border parking lots, roadways and sidewalks. It is usually at least 6 inches high and can often be as wide as 24”. Landscape curbing provides a border around flowerbeds, pathways and residential driveways and is most often only 4 inches high and up to 6 inches wide. It can be extruded in many different shapes and styles and custom Natural Stone finishes are very popular like Lil’ Bubba Morrocan Natural Stone.
Curbing business annual income
The annual income earned by owning a curbing business can vary widely depending on how many employees are involved in the installation and sales process. Some business owners achieve more than $500,000 in annual sales with a professional Lil’ Bubba Landscape 5 package and a team of four people, but a lot depends on the marketing approach and sales ability of the business owner. Other part-time curbing business owners have reported an additional $50,000 to $100,000 annual income working the business only on weekends and their days off.
Concrete curbing franchise
Lil’ Bubba is a business opportunity very much like a concrete curbing franchise in the sense that Lil’ Bubba provides a comprehensive marketing and advertising package to many new business owners, so they can follow a proven system of starting and operating their business. This business model closely resembles that of many true franchises, but does so without the disadvantage of the traditional franchise fees.
Best landscape curbing machine
Since the Lil’ Bubba Hornet EP curb machine first won the prestigious Most Innovative Product Award at World of Concrete in 2003 it has often been voted by the people as the best attendee choice in Landscape Curb Machines. The many thousands in daily operation throughout the world are also testimony to the reliability and performance of the Lil’ Bubba.
Curbing business for sale
Finding a curbing business for sale is easy when you can purchase equipment direct from the manufacturer. Lil’ Bubba is one of those companies that sells equipment direct from the factory to the end user, saving owners thousands on initial purchase costs etc.
Curbing equipment for sale
Most curbing equipment for sale comes with a lifetime warranty and Lil’ Bubba goes one step further with a lifetime replacement warranty on all molds sold with their Lil’ Bubba Hornet EP machine. Having the peace of mind that comes with reliable and high performance equipment that has a lifetime warranty makes the Lil’ Bubba the right choice.
What is the price?
You can view the price and what’s included in our Landscape Business Pro 5 package at VIEW PRICING. You can also visit our store to see everything we manufacture and its price.
Cold Weather & Decorative Concrete Curb
When the concrete curb is installed in the northern areas where it gets cold in the winter, it requires an advanced mix design to weather the freeze/thaw. We also use a special preparation and steel cable reinforcement. We have curb professionals who install the Lil’ Bubba curbing in Alberta Canada with great results and when installed properly, it can last through many winters.
Why Is The Hopper So Small?
Actually, it’s not small… by design, the hopper is a guide utilized to feed the concrete into the elliptical plunger drive. It’s not used to store concrete as the machine continuously moves along its path, requiring a constant feed of fresh concrete so the EP can eliminate bridging.
Is This Lil' Machine Worth The money?
Easily! The Hornet EP has been awarded the Product Innovation title for what it can do, and these machines are lasting over 20 years with recommended service. Our curb professionals earn an above-average living, and that’s a lifetime. Our new Hornet EP has been called “terrific value” and can generate enough income to pay for itself in less than a week.