The best time for Chicagoland property owners to plan their fall projects is the latter part of summer.
The reason is that crews are booked up as soon as the leaves turn, and if you have to choose a landscaping contractor now, especially if it’s for planning how to lay out fall planting, making a drainage fix, or a full commercial grounds overhaul, then waiting until October usually means longer lead times and fewer material options.
Green Day Pro Landscaping has spent over a 7000-day window providing the necessary landscaping services to property owners who are either running a household or handling a property management operation in the surrounding areas of the city of Chicago. And we know that the period of sourcing materials for the late season is very limited and closes quickly.
This is your chance to schedule the consultation if you want to stay ahead of the busy seasonal period.
Why You Should Be Focused on This Issue
Chicago’s climate creates a situation where there is a small planting period window which is heavily dependent on the weather. In fact, there might not be much time available for planting, hardscaping, and also soil work before frost arrives. Those property owners who are a bit too slow usually run into a couple of problems such as nurseries being out of stock of selected tree varieties and good crews getting their calendar filled a month ahead or even more.
This situation is not only a residential problem – there are commercial property managers who have their deadlines from HOA, they also have their tenant expectations to deal with. The budget cycles that they close before winter further compound the matter.
To choose from the list of the best available landscaping contractors at the beginning of the season rather than at the very last minute means you are going to have access to a better selection of materials, schedule that is a bit more relaxed, as well as pricing that has not been inflated because of the last-minute rush demand.
Primary Issues That Affect the Process of Contracting a Landscaping Company
Real Estate Uses
If the service needs to be a residential landscaping type such as spring or fall bed renovation, seeding of grass, irrigation and other facilities being turned off for the winter, or maybe a commercial-type of landscaping service which could be for parking lot islands, seasonal color changing, or snow-readiness grading, then the project needs to be such that when completed, it is appropriate for the property’s actual use patterns. A company that does not only a general walkover of the area concerned, but also measures the drainage, asks for future plans of the homeowner and the like, is showing the due diligence which will serve you in the investment you have made in the property.
Errors and Difficulties Most Usually Done
A large proportion of property owner issues arise from the fact that they hire a subcontractor purely based on the lowest quote without making due verification into whether the service provider has the necessary license, proper insurance, or previous job references. Others, who take the opportunity provided by the announcement of a late frost to request for landscaping quotes, have very short time to pick the plants they want, plus rushed installation, in which there would inevitably be compromises, is not uncommon.
Some of the contracts that result in a dispute between a client and their provider later have their main issues as being that the client had not at all been provided with a written agreement. For a step-by-step approach on evaluating service providers, read our guide on How to Screen, Interview, and Vet Local Landscaping Contractors Safely. Independent review systems on such platforms as Angi have consistently pointed out the importance of two things—licensing and written documentation showing the estimate—if the project is going to result in maximum customer satisfaction. We make this a part of our proposal.
The Best Things - Landscaping Services Green Day Pro Landscaping Can Recommend
Solicited Services
To properties in the Chicagoland that are going to enter fall season, our recommendation is that they make soil amendment and fall their number one priorities before mid-October, irrigation systems should be cleared of dust and debris, and so on prior to the hard freeze. And any other works related to the hard landscape and drainage system that involve the soil should be carried out when the soil is still not too cold so as to allow curing properly.
The process for obtaining an Estimate includes the following elements: visiting the site in question personally to see how much work is required at the location, determining where it makes sense to conduct a soil survey if at all a soil assessment is needed and, at all events, providing the customer with a written description of the scope of the work so as not to leave anything to the customer’s discretion or imagination regarding the materials involved, the time schedule, or the cost of the project.
Positive Aspects of a Locally-Based Established Work Crew
Knowing how the soil acts after snowmelt and what kind of trees and plants can live in a certain kind of climate is an advantage that only a well-established local contractor possesses over seasonal crews or outsiders to the region. In fact, the fact knowledge is what leads to a lower incidence of callbacks, winter-surviving plantings, and even hardscapes that were designed for our freeze cycles and not for a less demanding climate pattern.
Industry Practices and Standards
Serious landscape contractors have general liabilities insurance, workers’ compensation, and, where required, state licensing for pesticides or irrigation. Green Day Pro Landscaping keeps all their necessary credentials and practices erosion control according to industry best practices, uses plant hardiness zoning (Chicago falls within USDA Zone) for stormwater management compliance on commercial sites, etc.
We can also supply all the necessary documentation during your estimate — a step worth considering asking from any landscape contractor.
Ready to Lock In Your Fall Landscaping Estimate?
The last window for sourcing is rapidly dwindling across the suburbs, and early bird layout of seasonal planting are being fast booked. Now is the moment if you want a simple, no-pressure estimate from a locally respected team. Do call us before stock at nurseries and labor availability are gone for the season.
Conclusion
Locating great landscaping contractors is not necessarily a task of complexity but a matter when it comes to fall as other seasons simply don’t matter for the same reason. The landowners who schedule their estimate first are ones who end up with the plan, schedule, and price that they genuinely desire. We have many years of Chicagoland experience, proper licensing, and a documented estimate procedure to offer residential and commercial projects. Call us now to lock in your date before fall gets so busy that it takes months for our next appointment.
FAQs
1. What are fall and winter landscaping services?
Fall is when landscaping crews start to clean up and prepare the landscape for winter, including removing debris, mowing the lawn, leaf blowing and so on. Winter services will depend on the area’s snow and ice accumulation but generally will include snow removal, sidewalk cleaning, de-icing, etc.
2. Are landscaping contractors the same for residential and commercial properties?
No – they are separate. Residential landscaping involves smaller gardens or lawns, while a commercial landscape might be a whole lot of trees on a golf course. Both require different skills, as one might be more concerned about detail such as trimming trees whereas the other might want everything neat and uniform.
3. Do landscaping companies carry out both design and installation?
Yes, most of the big landscaping companies, including Green Day Pro Landscaping, do design, site assessment and material sourcing together with installation. So you will be dealt with by one team who will be accountable for their work instead of the hassle of getting a group of different vendors to do different pieces of the job.
4. Is fall a great period for planting in the Chicago suburbs?
Absolutely! Because cooler temperatures and constant soil moisture are a recipe for planting in late autumn before winter dormancy and the plants can establish themselves through spring as well as winter.
5. What is the typical cost of a landscaping estimate?
Quality landscaping companies are likely to give you an estimate free of charge, just like we do. After the site examination, you will get in writing the services involved and the cost breakdown. This way, you have a choice between different options before you decide to commit to the work.