Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Oak Lawn, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You may have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also necessitate machinery and construction experience.

Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are planning a complete yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Oak Lawn Landscaping Company

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

Services Offered

Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, find one that offers lawn care services. These services may include mowing, pruning, controlling weeds, fertilizing, and mulching. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.

You should hire 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 adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements, and some even offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Oak Lawn city government. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• 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, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. While not mandatory, these certifications are an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully bonded and insured. Most providers have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Ask to see an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both negative and positive reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previously completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies 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 landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Oak Lawn

Generally, landscaping costs $28–$42 per hour in Oak Lawn. These figures vary based on project size and type. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Factors like the size of your yard and the materials you choose will all influence your final cost. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

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