Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Skokie, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have a basic level of lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires more advanced skills. A large project might require heavy equipment and intense labor. Complicated projects such as fire pits or irrigation systems need additional machinery and construction expertise.

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

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid 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 Skokie Landscaping Company

Consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a provider's experience when choosing a landscaping company. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Have an idea of what services you need before picking a company. Some companies provide lawn care services focused on yard health and maintenance. These services can include fertilizing, controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, and mulching. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.

A full-service landscaper is the best choice if you're planning to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and fire pits. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Skokie 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 might also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscapers should have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Your contractor should be fully bonded and insured. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share completed projects with potential customers. Ask the company for its portfolio of landscaping projects and designs. They may also provide before and after pictures to show off their quality work. Ask about completed landscape designs similar to your planned project to get a better idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices will include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaper. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Ask about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies—this lets you compare rates and services and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Skokie

Landscaping in Skokie generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will impact your final price. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects need 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