Landscape designer · River Forest, IL · reviewed since 2017
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%85+49.9Reliability 26%87+22.7Value 15%87+13.2Craft & service penalty92−0.8Experts Score= 85Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.85SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#28 of 69 gardenersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 60%
4.9★★★★★27 Google reviews · 20 photos
96%five-star reviews
0%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Cutters Landscaping 4.9 out of 5 based on 27 reviews, with the owner responding to 4% of them. Customers frequently cite punctuality, clear communication, and fair pricing for services like patio installation, sod replacement, and drainage solutions. Recurring themes include professional crew conduct and effective design visualization. The only negative feedback involves a limited service area, where a customer was turned away because the company serves only Elmhurst residents.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 27 reviews (96% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 27 Google reviews (26 with written comments, 2 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 4% of reviews.
Most recent review: March 19, 2025.
Service: Gardener serving River Forest, Illinois.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other gardeners
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and reliability; weakest: satisfaction.
Cutters Landscaping, Inc.Gardeners median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Cutters Landscaping, Inc.: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 85.A
85
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Cutters Landscaping, Inc.: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
87
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Cutters Landscaping, Inc.: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
92
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Cutters Landscaping, Inc.: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
87
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 36.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
27 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars2696%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star14%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 26 written reviews
98%praise
Praise5698%
Complaints12%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Quality & results1425%
Staff & attitude1221%
Would recommend1119%
Speed & response814%
Price & value611%
Communication47%
Honesty & trust24%
What customers talk about
We read 26 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“The work is top-notch, better than expected, and the charges more than fair.”
“They always arrived as scheduled and were very respectful of our property.”
“They are extremely knowledgeable, professional and have excellent attention to detail, would highly recommend!”
“Austin was responsive, proactive, and provided a beautiful finished project.”
“Best design, fair price, quality products.”
“Ahead of schedule, excellent communication and very transparent throughout our entire project.”
“I am so glad we trusted his vision for each aspect from design, materials, lighting, and perfect tree, shrub and flower choices.”
People customers mention
Austin12 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
DhavalLocal Guide · 14 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Austin is hands down one of the best professionals I have ever encountered in any industry. We had met with several different landscape architects prior to meeting Austin but his vision was clear from our first meeting. Ahead of schedule, excellent communication and very transparent throughout our entire project. I highly recommend Austin and his team!
Tricia5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 years ago★★★★★
Our experience with Cutters Landscaping was wonderful. Austin was responsive, proactive, and provided a beautiful finished project. His crew was great as well and we felt very comfortable having them work on our property. They always arrived as scheduled and were very respectful of our property. Austin was on site…
+ Responsiveness+ Punctuality+ Quality
JonathanLocal Guide · 1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 years ago★★★★★
Austin and his team did an amazing job!
Great to work with and extremely professional.
He understood our needs and created our vision.
We love our new patio and will enjoy for years to come.
Thanks!
LolaLocal Guide · 45 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 years ago★★★★★
We are very happy with the work! They showed up a few days earlier than schedule and communicated effectively. The work is top-notch, better than expected, and the charges more than fair. Our yard has never looked better. We will definitely be using this company again. Highly recommended!
+ Responsiveness+ Punctuality+ Quality
Kristy9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 years ago★★★★★
Cutters Landscaping provided high quality service. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional and have excellent attention to detail, would highly recommend!
+ Responsiveness+ Punctuality+ Quality
amit1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 years ago★★★★★
They did an excellent job last summer 2019 on designing and building our patio/yard. Turned out fantastic. Needed additional work done this spring 2020- did a wonderful job. Great insight into project design.
Austin is hands down one of the best professionals I have ever encountered in any industry. We had met with several different landscape architects prior to meeting Austin but his vision was clear from our first meeting. Ahead of schedule, excellent communication and very transparent throughout our entire project. I highly recommend Austin and his team!
Tricia Zoha5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Tricia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Our experience with Cutters Landscaping was wonderful. Austin was responsive, proactive, and provided a beautiful finished project. His crew was great as well and we felt very comfortable having them work on our property. They always arrived as scheduled and were very respectful of our property. Austin was on site frequently to make sure everything was going to plan. He checked in with us to make sure we were informed of all developments and happy with the work through all its stages. Our finished result was exactly what we were hoping for - we would definitely use Cutters Landscaping again for any future projects!
Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Mary Rose Weber4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mary has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Austin and his team are wonderful. We did a pretty full makeover of our backyard, including taking out an existing patio, replacing it with a new paver patio, built in bar, firepit, all new sod, etc. Austin got to our project on schedule, and despite several challenges with weather, finished the project as quickly as possible allowing us plenty of time to enjoy the new space in good weather. Throughout the process, Austin was responsive via email and text message, and would call to explain updates that were more in depth. He had great ideas (including moving the TV off the house on to a screen wall, which was a game changer and the absolute right thing to do as it frames the space incredibly well and also opens the space across for conversation). Austin's team was friendly and considerate, and were good sports about having three very interested kids watching through the window on a daily basis. :) Would highly recommend. Now I just need Austin and crew to come back in the spring to do my front yard!
Austin and his team did an amazing job!
Great to work with and extremely professional.
He understood our needs and created our vision.
We love our new patio and will enjoy for years to come.
Thanks!
Lola KamudaLocal Guide · 45 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lola has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We are very happy with the work! They showed up a few days earlier than schedule and communicated effectively. The work is top-notch, better than expected, and the charges more than fair. Our yard has never looked better. We will definitely be using this company again. Highly recommended!
Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Kristy Maiers9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kristy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Cutters Landscaping provided high quality service. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional and have excellent attention to detail, would highly recommend!
Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
amit dayal1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews amit has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
They did an excellent job last summer 2019 on designing and building our patio/yard. Turned out fantastic. Needed additional work done this spring 2020- did a wonderful job. Great insight into project design.
Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Kerry Leiman3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kerry has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This is our second project with Cutters, and we will not hesitate to hire Austin and his amazing crew for the next project. We needed to replace a small deck in the backyard, Austin came up with a design beyond what we even thought would be feasible. We weren’t sure that a large raised deck to replace our stone patio would work. I am so glad we trusted his vision for each aspect from design, materials, lighting, and perfect tree, shrub and flower choices.
You will receive high quality work with a tremendous attention to detail. Austin and his crew stand by their work and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are 100% satisfied with the job.
You will absolutely get what you pay for in quality and customer service.
Positive: Quality
Patrick Dohan5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Patrick has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Austin and Cutters landscaping provided top-notch, highly responsive service throughout our entire project. From coming out to brainstorm design, to accommodating last-minute changes (that even required undoing and redoing work), Austin and his team were an absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend, and plan on using Cutters again for future landscaping needs.
Amit Dayal9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amit has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Austin did a wonderful job. Had great design concepts for our back yard/patio. In retrospect gave really great advice in terms of lighting, stone choice and plant choice. Quality of the work was outstanding. Came in well within the budget that was initially given. I would recommend cutter without reservations....really fantastic
