A beautifully designed and well-maintained yard can completely transform any home. Not to mention that by adding quality landscaping, you can not only improve your outdoor living area but increase the value of your home.

The benefits of installing and maintaining a landscaped yard are endless, but how do you ensure you’re getting that beauty from the right contractor?

Finding the right landscaping company for the job can be tough when there are so many landscapers to choose from in Illinois. So what should you look for when choosing the best landscape contractor?

If you are looking for the best landscape contractor in Illinois, then follow these tips to ensure you are finding the right fit for your project.

Do Proper Reserach

Research is KEY to finding the right contractor for any job . When researching, you should look to see if the landscaping company has a(n):

  • Updated website
  • Working phone number
  • Up-to-date Social Media accounts (start with Facebook)
  • High ranking on Google Search
  • Positive reviews via Google or Yelp over the last 6-months to a year

Based on the results, you should be able to find 3 to compare, reach out to them for a quote and meet in person for a review of the project.

 

Tip: Never accept a quote without meeting the contractor in person and working through the ideas of the project. A well trained contractor will not only want to see the yard first, but will offer suggestions to you during the review of your ideas/plans.

 

Verify Their Reputation

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a contractor that will fit your needs, but you don't have to rely on that alone. Reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see how a company measures with their reviews online.

Licensed and Insured

Before having anyone do any work on your property, the number one question that you should ask is -- "Are you licensed and insured?"

Fertilization technicians should be licensed by the Department of Agriculture and the company as a whole should be able to provide a certificate of insurance from their insurer. If they can't provide that - DON'T HIRE THEM!

 

Fact: An uninsured worker/business means if they get hurt while doing work at your home, you are are 100% liable. Yes, your home owners will fit the bill, but if you are sued, that's on you, not your insurance.

 

Knowledge and Skill

Prior to meeting with the contractor, make sure you are asking them for a portfolio of their recent jobs. This will give you an idea about their experience. It's also a good idea to make a list of questions to ask during the in-person meeting.

Here are a few you can start with:

  1. What kind of materials do you typically use in this area?
  2. Once the project begins, how do you navigate weather issues?
  3. Once you start the project, will you start others while in the middle of mine?....or will you finish our project before starting another first?
  4. Who do you buy your materials from? Will that supplier give you a good review?
  5. What is your service area?
  6. What is your payment structure?

Maintenance and/or Additional Services

Once the project is done, someone is going to have to maintain the landscaping and if you are busy like everyone else, you don't want that to be you. Make sure you know what all the landscaping company has to offer in the way of maintenance and other services.

Ask for a list of services and pricing. This may be the final way to pick the contractor that will fit your needs -- if they don't have continued service offerings, that's a red flag!

 

Insider Tip: No matter what contractor you choose, make sure you receive a quote and understand the cut off date for that pricing to be locked in for your project. The price of materials are going up daily/monthly/quarter right now, so it's going to be important for you to know if the price changes before you are ready to say yes.

 

Finding the right contractor with the skills and expertise needed to make your ideas a reality can make the experience run smooth and stress-free. Here at Linnemann Lawn Care and Landscaping, we understand that your landscaping should be maintained throughout the year to look its best. We can take on these burdens and ensure that you are surrounded by a luxurious outdoor living space.

If you have questions or would like to get an estimate on your project, give us a call at (618) 939-4769.