Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Palos, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping requires more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require intense labor and heavy equipment. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can be good for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should hire a professional landscaping contractor if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents costly DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Palos Landscaping Company

Finding the right landscaping company involves finding one with enough experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping company. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as controlling weeds, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, and mowing—to help with yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

Look for full-service landscaping if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaper should have the appropriate licenses from the Palos 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. These certifications are not mandatory but can lend credibility to a provider. Landscapers should have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Your provider should be fully bonded and insured. Make sure to request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Make sure you choose a contractor with good customer reviews. You can look at third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Try to avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Ask to see your provider'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 practices can include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaper. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Ask your contractor about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

Homeowners should request multiple quotes to compare companies and find the best pricing and services. Most companies conduct free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote of expected project costs, including materials and labor. You may wish to use competing quotes to help negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Palos

In Palos, you should expect to pay approximately $28–$42 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will be more expensive than more straightforward tasks such as gardening and mowing. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below breaks down 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