Best 5 Landscaping Companies in St. Charles, IL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

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

Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. Your local professional can help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an St. Charles Landscaping Company

Take into consideration factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a provider's experience when hiring a landscaping company. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

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 upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the St. Charles city government. It might also employ 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, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Ask to see a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors normally have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance contractors proudly share their finished projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping designs and projects. They may also provide before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Request finished landscape designs similar to your project to get a better idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaping company. These include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options. Landscaping contractors should use plant life native to your area—such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant—for best results. The work done on your property shouldn't affect your existing vegetation. The company should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

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

Landscaping Costs in St. Charles

Landscaping in St. Charles generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These prices depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Bigger projects need more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company might charge by the acre. The cost will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,933 - $17,244
Landscaping Design	$2,119 - $2,825
Landscaping LandGrading	$426 - $2,553
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $128
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,702
Planting Trees	$223 - $372
Sodding	$43 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,341 - $85,109