Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Elk Grove, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is required for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping employs heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need construction and machinery experience as well.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps you avoid costly mistakes. Professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Elk Grove Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience are important considerations for selecting a landscaping company, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

You should know what services you need before picking a provider. Some companies provide lawn care services focusing on yard health and maintenance. These services may include mowing, pruning, fertilizing, controlling weeds, and mulching. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.

Look for a full-service landscaping company if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Elk Grove city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider may have the following certified members on staff:

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

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Landscaping contractors normally have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Your provider should be fully insured and bonded. Make sure to request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for a contractor who has a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after pictures. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get an idea of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, the company should use native area plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Any work they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.

Cost

Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most landscapers offer free consultations during which they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use a quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.

Landscaping Costs in Elk Grove

Landscaping typically costs $28–$42 per hour in Elk Grove, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like gardening or mowing are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Factors such as your yard's size and the materials you choose will all influence your final price. For larger yards, companies might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,574 - $16,766
Landscaping Design	$2,125 - $2,834
Landscaping LandGrading	$426 - $2,556
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $128
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,704
Planting Trees	$223 - $372
Sodding	$43 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,372 - $85,190