Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Chicago, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. Adding more complex elements, such as an irrigation system or fire pit, requires construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaper.

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. Professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Chicago Landscaping Company

Hiring the right landscaping company involves finding one with the right experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Know what services you need before selecting a provider. Some providers offer lawn care services that focus on yard health and maintenance. These services may include mulching, mowing, fertilizing, pruning, and controlling weeds. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.

You need a full-service landscaping company for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, or retaining walls. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in areas like horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Chicago city government. It may also employ the following certified professionals:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Request a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before beginning a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors will typically have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can check third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previous projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should choose native plant life (such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Chicago

In Chicago, you can expect to pay roughly $34–$51 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than simpler tasks like mowing and gardening. Factors like your yard's size and the materials you choose will affect your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,185 - $17,580
Landscaping Design	$2,580 - $3,440
Landscaping LandGrading	$453 - $2,717
Landscaping Mulch	$27 - $136
Planting FlowerBeds	$91 - $1,811
Planting Trees	$237 - $396
Sodding	$45 - $54
Swimming Pool	$34,418 - $90,573