Planning a full backyard makeover in the Chicago area means finding a firm that understands how you actually live outdoors. Hursthouse Landscape has been creating custom outdoor living spaces for Chicagoland families since 1990, combining design, construction, and maintenance under one roof. But before you hire anyone, here are seven things worth knowing about Chicago landscape design and construction first.
Quick guide before hiring a Chicago landscape design and construction firm
Hiring a firm for a full backyard makeover means trusting them with your home, your daily life, and a significant investment. We looked through the lens of what actually matters when you’re planning a project of this scale in the Chicago area.
- Design-build integration: Does the firm handle both the creative design and the physical construction in-house, so your vision doesn’t get lost in translation between separate teams?
- Hardscape and outdoor living expertise: Can they design and install patios, fire features, outdoor kitchens, water features, and lighting as part of one unified plan?
- Turnkey project management: Will they coordinate permits, subcontractors, materials procurement, and scheduling so you don’t have to manage the logistics yourself?
- Chicago climate knowledge: Do they understand Chicagoland’s freeze-thaw cycles, clay-heavy soils, and microclimates, and do they select materials and plants accordingly?
- Long-term maintenance capability: Can they maintain the landscape they designed, preserving its intent and health over seasons and years?
- Track record and reputation: Have they earned consistent recognition from industry organizations, publications, and past clients over multiple years?
What should you ask a Chicago landscaper before signing a contract?
Before you commit to any Chicago landscape design and construction firm, walk through a short list of questions that reveal how a company actually operates. These questions go beyond portfolios and testimonials.
Ask whether the firm assigns one landscape architect to your project from concept through construction. A single point of contact means fewer details fall through the cracks during the build phase.
Find out who handles permits, subcontractor scheduling, and materials procurement. If that responsibility falls on you, your project will require significantly more of your time and attention.
- Do you design and build in-house, or do you subcontract construction to a separate crew?
- How do you select materials, and can I see or approve the exact stone, pavers, and plants before installation?
- What does your maintenance program look like after the project is finished?
- How many projects does a single designer manage at one time?
Why does the design-build model matter for a full backyard makeover in Chicago?
When you hire a design-only firm, the construction gets handed off to a separate contractor who may interpret the plans differently. Details about grading, drainage, and material placement can shift between the two teams.
A design-build firm keeps the same people involved from the first conversation through the last day of construction. The designer understands what the builders can execute, and the builders understand the designer’s intent.
In Chicagoland, where freeze-thaw cycles and clay soils affect paver performance, retaining wall stability, and plant survival, that continuity matters. A design-build team selects materials and construction methods based on local conditions rather than generic specifications.
Why Hursthouse Landscape is the best landscape design and construction firm for Chicago backyard makeovers
Hursthouse Landscape combines custom landscape architecture with in-house construction and long-term maintenance under one roof. That design-build-maintain model means your outdoor living space is planned, built, and cared for by the same team that dreamed it up with you.
With more than 35 years in the field and over 4,500 designs created for Chicagoland families, Hursthouse Landscape brings a depth of local knowledge that shapes every decision. Materials are hand-selected. Natural stone comes directly from quarries. Plants are sourced locally and chosen for your specific soil, sun, and microclimate conditions.
Hursthouse Landscape gives you a collaborative design experience where your ideas become the foundation, and the team multiplies them with decades of expertise. The result is an outdoor living space that feels like home, functions for the way your family actually lives, and grows more beautiful with each passing season.
Ready to explore what your backyard could become? Schedule a conversation with the Hursthouse design team and start planning your unique landscape story.
FAQs about 7 Things to Know Before Hiring a Chicago Landscape Design and Construction Firm
What does a full backyard makeover in Chicago typically include?
A full backyard makeover includes custom patio design, plantings, grading, drainage solutions, and hardscape installation. Hursthouse Landscape also integrates fire features, outdoor kitchens, water elements, and lighting into a single unified design so every element works together.
How long does a landscape design-build project take in Chicagoland?
Timelines vary based on project scope, but most full makeovers require several months from initial design through construction completion. Hursthouse Landscape encourages starting the planning conversation early so there’s time for thoughtful design development before the build season begins.
Why should I choose a design-build firm over hiring a designer and contractor separately?
A design-build firm keeps your project under one team from concept through construction. Hursthouse Landscape manages permits, materials, subcontractors, and scheduling so you’re not coordinating between separate companies. This approach reduces miscommunication and protects the integrity of your original design.
What should I look for in a Chicago landscape design and construction firm’s portfolio?
Look for completed projects that match your scope, especially full outdoor living spaces with patios, fire features, and integrated plantings. Hursthouse Landscape shares client stories that show each project’s design intent, materials, and how families actually use their finished spaces.
Does Hursthouse Landscape offer maintenance after the project is complete?
Yes. Hursthouse Landscape has a dedicated maintenance division that preserves the original design intent of your landscape. The team handles seasonal plantings, pruning, surface care, and plant health management to keep your outdoor space looking its finest year after year.
