Illinois Homeowners: How To Find And Hire The Right Landscaper

For many Illinois homeowners, having a nicely landscaped yard and garden brings a feeling of personal pride. Well pruned trees and flower-lined walkways can turn any yard into a beautiful outdoor space.

The outside of your home is just as important as the interior. Not only is your outdoor area a relaxing place to spend time with family and friends, a well landscaped yard can also boost the resale value of your home. To have the yard you’ve always dreamed of, it’s important that you find the right landscaping professional.

Use these guidelines when hiring the best landscaper for your project:

Landscaping Services

Landscapers provide a wide range of services, including general garden maintenance, spring and fall yard clean up, and help designing a new flower garden. The cost will vary depending on the size and scope of the job. Here are some of the average costs you can expect to pay for landscaping services:

• Landscape curbing around gardens and walkways - $700 to $1,700
• Sod installation: $1,000 to $2,700
• Landscape design: $460 to $1,000
• Hydroseeding lawn renewal - $1,000 to $4,000
• Lawn regrading for proper drainage - $1,000 to $3,000

Looking for help with your next outdoor project? Call a landscaping contractor in Illinois.

Types of Landscaping Professionals

Many landscapers focus on a particular service and specialty. Based on the scope of your project, here’s a breakdown of the different types of landscape professionals:

Residential contractors

You can hire a residential landscaper on short notice for small yard projects such as lawn care and garden maintenance.

Commercial landscapers

With higher rates than a residential contractor, a commercial landscaper can help with larger yard projects. They have both the expertise and equipment to tackle those landscaping jobs that require more extensive planning and design.

Landscape architect

Architects have been trained in design, land grading and drainage, and engineering. With an hourly rate of $70 to $150, landscape architects can help you plan your entire residential yard design.

Landscape designer

A designer will help you decide on the best plant choices to bring balance and beauty to your yard. Charging an hourly rate of $50 to $150, landscape designers have the expertise to plan the layout and design of your garden and make the most of your outdoor space.

Tips to Find the Right Landscaping Contractor

Once you’ve decided to hire a landscaper, finding the right one for the job takes a bit of research.

Start by asking these questions:

1. What landscaping services do you provide?

2. Are you insured and licensed?

3. Are you able to handle the scope of the project?

4. Can you provide me with a written estimate of the cost and expected duration to complete the job?

5. Will you do the entire job yourself or hire other contractors?

6. Do you have any ideas and recommendations?

7. Can I save money with a maintenance package and bundling services?

Always read online reviews, check credentials, and ask for references from previous satisfied clients before hiring a landscaper.

Need help with your next landscaping and gardening project? Contact a HomeAdvisor landscaping contractor in Illinois for professional service.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.