How do I hire a landscaper in suburban Chicago?

July 5, 2007 8:30 AM

LawnCare Filter: Help me hire a landscaping service.

So my folks are temporarily sick and unable to mow their lawn in suburban Chicago, and I'd like to hire someone to do this for them. Not being a homeowner myself, I have no idea how this is done. I'm looking for a weekly lawn mowing service. My questions: should I hire an individual or a company, where can I find one, how much should this cost (ballpark, of course) given that it is a tiny house on a small lot (typical fifties suburban tract house), and does anyone have a recommendation for the Evanston/Niles/Skokie, IL area? Thanks!

posted by agent99 to home & garden (2 comments total)

Not in IL, so this is just some general advice...

If all you want is the lawn moved, I'd go for finding an individual. Like a neighborhood kid, if possible. Are you familiar with any of your folks' neighbors? You could start by asking them. If there is a neighborhood home owners group, they could possibly have a directory that includes names of kids who do lawn mowing.
As for cost...I'd expect $20 per mowing as an absolute minimum for a kid these days.

Now, if you want some lanscaping, too (i.e. bush trimming, weeding, mulching, etc.) look up "lawn service" in the yellow pages.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:41 AM on July 5, 2007

Ask (or have your parents ask) the neighbors who does their lawns. That way you get names/numbers, cost estimates and recommendations. This is what new homeowners do when they move to a new area.
posted by widdershins at 10:34 AM on July 5, 2007