As a property manager, developer, or business owner of a Greater Chicago commercial facility, you’re always looking to improve the appearance of your site and better serve your visitors.
Whether customers come to a retail facility, tenants live and use the amenities at an HOA, students attend an educational institution, workers and businesses report to an office park or industrial facility, or patients visit a healthcare site, you can’t sacrifice aesthetics, safety, and function when refining your commercial grounds.
While you may have a grasp on the commercial landscape maintenance services you need regularly, you might feel a bit lost when it comes to commercial landscape design/build, what these services entail, what they can do for your property, and how to get started with any landscape installation or landscape construction projects.
Bringing in a professional commercial landscaping company can help you plan for these projects – whether big or small – and appropriately budget dollars and time for them.
In this guide, we’ll cover the entire commercial landscape construction process from start to finish so you can better understand what it entails and properly and professionally plan for the best outcome for your facility.
You know the stakes are high if you manage or own a Greater Chicago commercial property. First impressions matter, and your property’s landscape greatly communicates professionalism and business acumen.
But as you think about upgrading, renovating, or adding new outdoor spaces, you may have one big question: Should I hire a company that handles commercial landscape design/build and maintenance? Let’s explore why this combination can be a game-changer.
Commercial landscapes, as you know, can’t just look good; they also need to function efficiently and safely to attract tenants, guests, and customers and stand up to Chicago’s unpredictable weather.
When you choose a company that can handle landscape construction and maintenance, you’re setting your property up for long-term success. There are quite a few benefits to choosing a company that can do both:
Efficiency: By the time the design/build team you work with is finished with the installation, they will already know the ins and outs of your commercial property. This familiarity ensures that their maintenance plan is tailored to your site.
Seasonal Expertise: Chicago winters can be brutal, while summers can be hot and humid. Spring can be wet, and fall can be a mixed bag. A unified team understands what’s needed to keep your property thriving year-round, from choosing the right plants for drought and salt tolerance to keeping your property clean.
Cost Savings: When one company handles key services for you, you eliminate miscommunication between teams, reduce redundancies, and avoid costly mistakes like overwatering on the maintenance or poor plant selection and placement on the design/build side. You will also have a partner who can work with you when you need to stick to a tight budget.
Avoiding Mistakes: You have a large commercial property with big landscape beds, open green spaces, and paved walkways. If a maintenance company comes in and is unfamiliar with the low-maintenance plants installed, you could end up with dead plants because they water or prune incorrectly, resulting in a less-than-polished look and additional and unexpected replacement costs.
When you’re looking for professional commercial landscaping in Chicagoland, prioritize the following key traits:
Commercial Landscape Experience: Look for companies with a Greater Chicago area commercial property portfolio. They will understand the unique challenges involved, such as permits and heavy snow removal.
Integrated Communication: A strong design/build and maintenance team will work in tandem to meet your property’s unique goals, ensuring continuity and high quality.
When juggling tenant demands, weather concerns, and budget constraints, a one-stop shop for design/build and maintenance makes sense.
Look for a partner that offers personalized solutions and understands Greater Chicago’s unique climate and commercial landscape needs.
Once you hire a provider for your project, a well-crafted contract is the backbone of any successful commercial landscape construction endeavor.
A detailed and clear agreement is especially critical in Greater Chicago, where weather challenges and regulatory requirements in your municipality abound. As you compare contracts from various companies, you may be worried about different landscape contract terminology or commercial landscape terms and conditions.
This is understandable. A comprehensive contract prevents misunderstandings, ensures accountability, and protects your investment.
By working with an experienced commercial service provider familiar with the unique challenges of commercial landscaping in Chicagoland, you can ensure your project is completed to the highest standards, on time, and within budget.
Let’s discuss what should be included in your contract and what red flags you should watch out for.
The commercial landscape contract should clearly define what your commercial landscape service provider will do—from design and grading to planting to irrigation installation to hardscape construction.
You should see a detailed project timeline with milestones, material specifications (plant types, hardscape materials, etc.), and work standards, including compliance with standards or local building codes.
Your commercial landscape design/build contract should include a full breakdown of costs, including labor, materials, applicable taxes or permits, as well as a payment schedule with percentages due at project initiation, halfway point, and at completion.
Your contract should outline who is responsible for obtaining necessary permits and for being aware of and adhering to local regulations, including zoning laws and any municipal requirements. This includes stormwater management compliance, detention pond compliance, or tree preservation ordinances.
Greater Chicago has unpredictable weather, so a good commercial landscape contract will account for potential delays due to snow, rain, or even extreme heat. It should show you how your professional will handle these delays, including deadline extensions or any additional cost concerns.
Regarding commercial landscape construction, you should also see some clarification on plant material and installation warranties in your contract so you can swiftly address any of these issues.
In addition to the key pieces above, you may also see some other elements in your contract, including:
Liability Insurance: This shows that the commercial landscape service provider carries adequate insurance to cover potential damages or injuries that may occur on your property.
Change Orders: A change order policy will allow for flexibility by including a process for approving changes to the scope of work and materials during construction.
Termination Clause: This section will define the conditions under which either party can terminate the contract, such as a breach of terms or failure to meet deadlines.
Now that you know what to look for when hiring a landscape installation company and refining your contract, there are also some red flags that you should be aware of.
For instance, if your commercial landscape installation company wants to be paid upfront or doesn’t offer a contract, those are big red flags.
If the scope of work details doesn't clearly define expectations or the provider doesn’t define communication preferences or expectations, these omissions can also be very concerning.
On top of that, a lack of proof of liability or workers’ compensation insurance can put you at risk of liability costs in case of injury or damage resulting from the work.
Once you know what kind of commercial landscape design services near Chicago you’re embarking on and have signed a contract, it’s time to prepare for the start of the project.
Your level of preparation can also change based on your property type, so working with a professional who understands municipal landscaping, for instance, can really help.
Whether you’re revitalizing an existing space, starting from scratch, or renovating sections of your site, there are some steps you can take to streamline the process and ensure a smooth, efficient project.
You want your commercial site to be ready for the installation crew.
This work may involve clearing debris, such as removing any trash or things in a way that could impede project progress.
It will also include marking utility lines, such as gas, electricity, and water, to prevent accidental damage during installation. Your commercial landscape professional may help you do these clearing or marking tasks; ask about this upfront to prepare you.
If your commercial landscape construction company needs areas set aside for parking, materials, and equipment, you’ll want to designate parking spaces or close off some pedestrian spaces to ensure safety for both your service provider and your property's guests.
You want to involve key stakeholders, including owners, other property managers, tenants, and other interested parties, in the upcoming project.
Include information about the project timeline, especially if access to certain areas will be restricted or noisy equipment will be used during certain hours.
Your commercial landscape design/build firm should be able to check local regulations for your project and keep you posted on things like permits needed for hardscape elements.
They should also adhere to city ordinances and keep you abreast of these issues so you are comfortable and confident knowing the project meets municipal requirements.
Your project may begin with a visit from your commercial landscape construction professional as they assess the state of some elements on your site and identify any obstacles.
These can include soil testing to determine pH levels and nutrient content. They can also involve a drainage assessment to identify areas prone to pooling water.
This process may also include an inventory of any existing elements, such as trees, shrubs, or hardscapes, that you want to remove and replace or incorporate into the new design.
If you're tackling a particularly large commercial project, safety assessments and other tasks may be incorporated because of the extended timeline and scope of work. Regarding public spaces like playgrounds, safety considerations will be an extensive part of the design and installation process to ensure compliance and reduce liability.
Once work begins, communication with your commercial landscape construction company is your next step to ensure you stay in sync with how the project is progressing.
Some of this will depend on the size of your project—a small enhancement may not need much oversight beyond confirmation of initiation or completion. In contrast, larger projects require regular, comprehensive communication, especially if subcontractors or municipal oversight are involved.
Let’s examine how to maintain clear communication so you can stay informed and promptly address any challenges.
Your commercial landscape contract will outline a regular update schedule from the start.
This may include weekly check-ins to discuss projects, upcoming tasks, or issues. Alternatively, you may want more interaction and request brief daily reports via email or text to stay aware of fast-moving project elements.
You can also ask for photos to visually represent the progress.
Whatever you agree to at the beginning should be adhered to by your commercial service provider to ensure you remain informed throughout the project.
Work with your landscape construction company on the critical phases of the installation that you want them to share.
These milestones can include site preparation to ensure grading, debris removal, and utility marking are done according to your specifications. They can also outline a planting schedule to confirm key plant or turf installation dates. They can even identify hardscape progress for essential elements like patios, walkways, or retaining walls.
These updates can help you monitor whether your project is on schedule so you can check in on areas you're most concerned about and keep key stakeholders updated on progress.
As a project manager, you are always encouraged to ask about the work's specifics. This proactive approach shows you’re invested in your commercial landscaping for businesses. This can also help resolve issues faster.
Some questions to keep in mind: Are materials being delivered on time? Are we facing any weather-related delays, and how are we handling them? Are there any unexpected site conditions, such as poor soil quality or drainage issues?
Commercial landscape design services near Chicago are investments, so you should communicate your standard preferences to your service provider.
These can include things like:
Quality Checks: Clarify how and when you want to review work for quality assurance.
Aesthetic Goals: Ensure your commercial contractor understands your vision for the project's final look.
Disruption Management: Discuss how the project team will minimize disruptions to tenants, customers, or business operations.
Challenges are inevitable, especially in Greater Chicago’s unpredictable climate.
Flexibility is a good thing, but you should also be firm on essential aspects of the landscape architecture project.
For instance, regarding deadlines, you can negotiate reasonable extensions if necessary but hold the team accountable for avoidable delays.
Concerning budget, monitor costs carefully to avoid overcharges, especially for add-ons or unforeseen conditions.
Don’t be afraid to keep records of your communication and project updates. You can do this by maintaining a shared document or email thread that summarizes key discussions and decisions.
Save your photos, invoices, and receipts for reference and potential warranty claims.
It’s never too early to discuss maintaining your commercial landscape design/build project after completion. This is the best way to ensure your investment is well-protected and has an extended life.
Your commercial service provider should be able to discuss what maintenance tasks are necessary to keep your property looking great year-round.
Once your commercial landscape construction project is complete, a thorough walkthrough with your service provider should occur. This is your opportunity to ensure every detail meets your expectations.
This is a collaborative process between the landscape contractor and the property manager, so navigating the walkthrough means being prepared with your key questions.
Before stepping outside, ask your commercial landscape contractor to review the original design plan and identify any deviations or modifications from the original design.
Can you walk me through how each element of the plan was implemented?
Your next walkthrough point of focus will be hardscaping and structural features, such as paths, patios, retaining walls, and other hardscapes. These landscaping for business areas are critical for both function and appearance, so how they look and how they are installed matter on your commercial site.
Check the paths and edges for alignment, stability, and cleanliness.
Now, it’s time to review the trees, shrubs, plants, and grasses installed on your site and evaluate their condition and placement.
Proper water management is crucial to the long-term success of your commercial landscaping in Chicagoland. During your walkthrough, your service provider will demonstrate how the irrigation or drainage systems work.
Outdoor lighting enhances security, visibility, and aesthetics in your commercial facility. Inspect all fixtures and systems as you go through the property; walking the site during the evening to see the lighting in action will be important.
The walkthrough should include gathering essential documents so you have all you need for any necessary warranties.
Whether you’re a property manager of an office park, an educational facility, an industrial space or warehouse, a retail center, or even a homeowners’ association, your goal after a new landscape construction project is the same: keep your facility looking and functioning well, draw business in, and do it all in a way that fits into your budget and doesn’t stretch your already limited resources.
The more quickly you have a maintenance plan in place after installation, the better.
You don’t want your landscape falling into poor shape before you ensure maintenance needs are met. Based on your warranty period, you might be tempted to wait out the first year, but if your commercial turf, plants, or trees aren’t thriving, you want to address these needs quickly before they decline beyond repair.
Competent commercial landscape maintenance protects your investment and is critically important to ensure it thrives. No one may understand the needs of a new landscape construction project like the company that installed it.
A commercial facility with a visually attractive landscape appearance can greatly attract new business – potential customers, new tenants, or elevated visitor traffic.
How does commercial landscape maintenance fall into this? It amplifies your positive perception of your community. Yes, first impressions do matter.
Let’s review some of the main reasons why maintaining commercial landscaping in Chicagoland amplifies your business professionalism, especially after a new commercial landscape enhancement or construction project.
If your retail center has a messy appearance, your customers will notice. It can result in a negative perception of your business, decreasing shopping and profits. The same can be said for other types of commercial businesses.
Commercial landscape maintenance creates a positive atmosphere for your customers that makes an impact before they even enter your business. This translates into your company being perceived as more polished and professional.
Commercial landscape maintenance can have an impact on your employees’ efficiency.
Plants, flowers, and landscapes boost employee happiness, resulting in a rise in productivity and job satisfaction, according to LabGov research. The study says the presence of plants improves self-reported wellness by 15 percent, productivity by 6 percent, and creativity by 15 percent. This also causes absenteeism to go down by 10 percent. When employees are happier, the study further explains that there is an increase in a company’s productivity by 31 percent, an increase in sales by 37 percent and a 19 percent increase in employees’ capacities to achieve goals.
Curb appeal can do so much for your commercial property. It helps people trust your business, increases your visibility, draws traffic, builds trust, helps your business stand out from competitors, and improves employee pride and loyalty.
Maintenance on your commercial landscape design/build project is your opportunity to maximize curb appeal. Keeping your facility neat and well-maintained makes your property inviting and noticeable and shows your business cares about its appearance.
Conversely, an unkempt property could lead potential customers to think you are running an unorganized operation.
Safety is key to maintaining the inside and outside of your commercial landscaping in Chicagoland. You want to keep your property neat and clean to ensure the safety of your employees and visitors.
Trimming trees and shrubs helps increase visibility, which enhances safety. It also gives thieves or criminals fewer places to hide, which is important for easing access and reducing crime.
Managing water flow and drainage on your site limits slips, falls, floods, and building and property damage. Cleaning up snow and ice does the same.
Lighting and enhancing landscaping around signage make your entryways easy for employees, delivery drivers, and visitors to find and navigate.
By committing to regular maintenance of business landscaping, you will also work more positively with your local environment and enhance your sustainability initiatives, which amplifies your professionalism.
Managing stormwater, for instance, reduces runoff and limits erosion. Insect control helps limit mosquitoes and turf- and plant-damaging pests.
Using sustainable techniques in your landscape design, such as adding native plants and properly pruning trees and shrubs, can also cut your overall maintenance costs by working with nature instead of against it and elevating plant health.
The University of Washington found that shoppers spend 9 to 12 percent more on products and services in business districts with greenery and quality landscaping.
Investing in commercial landscape maintenance creates an atmosphere that draws people in. Strategically planning your exterior encourages a positive business impression and inspires people to spend more at your company.
Opting for professional commercial landscape design/build uses the skillsets of experts in Greater Chicago to help you optimize function and amplify the overall look of your facility.
We hope this guide helps you achieve a landscape that works for your business by helping you start your project, create a contract that works for both parties, properly prepare for installation to start, keep up with the project as it progresses, conduct a thorough walkthrough, and discuss and plan for ongoing maintenance.
As you compare businesses that offer commercial landscaping in Chicagoland, we hope you’ll consider KD Landscape in your search.
We started our business to provide responsive commercial landscape services in the Greater Chicago area, and we plan to continue bettering local commercial sites and making property managers’ lives easier. We are efficient and dependable, true to our word, and will be proactive partners.
It's important to research which landscape company in Greater Chicago is a good fit for your commercial property. Having trouble with this process? We’d love to help you and learn more about your facility. Get started today with an on-site consultation. We’ll review your options together so you can feel confident and make a great choice.