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Shovel & Spade Landscaping

Landscaper · Bloomington, IL · reviewed since 2022

How 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%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 99Not 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.99SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#1 of 20 landscape architectsPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 100%
5.0 ★★★★★ 143 Google reviews · 24 photos
99%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
93%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Shovel & Spade Landscaping at a glance

Google reviewers rate Shovel & Spade Landscaping five out of five stars based on 143 reviews, with the owner responding to 93 percent of them. Customers frequently highlight punctuality, clear communication, and detailed estimates for services including hardscape installation, mulch replacement, and yard cleanup. Recurring themes emphasize professional craftsmanship, efficient teamwork, and thorough site cleanup after project completion. No common criticisms appear in the provided excerpts, as all listed reviews are positive five-star ratings.

  • Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 143 reviews (99% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 143 Google reviews (138 with written comments, 24 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 93% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 22, 2026.
  • Service: Landscape Architect serving Bloomington, Illinois.

Data from Google, last updated October 29, 2026.

Score profile vs other landscape architects

Score per factor (100 = best)Each 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: value and momentum; weakest: reliability.

Satisfaction99Reliability98Craft & service99Value100Momentum100Replies to reviews–Satisfaction: 99 (median 91)Reliability: 98 (median 89)Craft & service: 99 (median 97)Value: 100 (median 93)Momentum: 100 (median 100)
Shovel & Spade LandscapingLandscape Architects median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 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.Shovel & Spade Landscaping: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 91.A
99
ReliabilityReliability · 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.Shovel & Spade Landscaping: 98/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.A
98
Craft & serviceCraft & 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.Shovel & Spade Landscaping: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
99
ValueValue · 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.Shovel & Spade Landscaping: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.A
100
MomentumMomentum · 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.Shovel & Spade Landscaping: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies 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: 74.–
–

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

143 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars14299%
  • 4 stars11%
  • 3 stars00%
  • 2 stars00%
  • 1 star00%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 138 written reviews

  • Praise37199%
  • Complaints31%

PriceGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.

Price verdicts customers left with their Google review

  • Great price1346%
  • Reasonable1554%
  • Overpriced00%
  • Not sure00%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Would recommend7520%
  • Speed & response7320%
  • Quality & results7019%
  • Staff & attitude5615%
  • Price & value5214%
  • Communication4111%
  • Honesty & trust72%

What customers talk about

We read 138 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “We would highly recommend Geraldo and his team at Shovel & Spade.”
    “I cannot recommend Geraldo and his team enough.”
  • “He was very prompt getting back to us with a plan and estimate He soon gave us a date for the start of our project and it was on time We are very…”
  • “Wonderful experience with Geraldo and Shovel & Spade from start to finish.”
  • “Talent, integrity, incredibly efficient team work - their work is professional.”
  • “Their prices are very reasonable, their materials and workmanship are top notch and their communication was excellent.”
  • “Communication was fantastic and I couldn’t be happier with the work.”
  • “They were respectful of our property, cleaned up thoroughly each day, and genuinely cared about our satisfaction with the final result.”

People customers mention

  • Geraldo 29 reviews
  • Brittany 4 reviews
  • Garza 4 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Reviews for your job

Customers hired Shovel & Spade Landscaping for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.

Recent reviews

Jill2 reviewsTotal 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 days ago★★★★★

Wonderful experience with Geraldo and Shovel & Spade from start to finish. Communication was fantastic and I couldn’t be happier with the work. Better than expected or imagined. Highly recommended.

Reasonable priceRock landscapingLandscape design
Sandra1 reviewTotal 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. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★

I highly recommend Shovel and Spade Landscaping. The owner came to our home to evaluate what we needed. He was very prompt getting back to us with a plan and estimate He soon gave us a date for the start of our project and it was on time We are very happy with the results. We are looking forward to working with…

Great priceLandscape installationsLandscape design
MA,Local Guide · 18 reviewsTotal 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 month ago★★★★★

I recommend S&S to everyone! Talent, integrity, incredibly efficient team work - their work is professional. Their attitude is very positive. The only people we will use in the future...

Great priceRock landscapingLandscape installations
Dee5 reviewsTotal 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 month ago★★★★★

Love, my new landscaping,. We gave them a picture of our dream and they made it not only a dream but reality. Very professional and great craftsmanship.

Customer photo from Dee's review
Rock landscapingLandscape installations
Tim3 reviewsTotal 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 month ago★★★★★

We retained Shovel and Spade for our front landscaping and sidewalk renovation. They gave us a very detailed bid along with scope of work that exceeded our expectations. They were very creative during points in the renovation when we were at a bid of a stand still on how we would proceed. Their pricing was…

Customer photo from Tim's reviewCustomer photo from Tim's reviewCustomer photo from Tim's review
Great priceLandscape installations
Kenne3 reviewsTotal 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. · 2 months ago★★★★★

We would highly recommend Geraldo and his team at Shovel & Spade. From the very beginning, when we received our free landscaping estimate, Geraldo was prompt, professional, and clearly communicated the timing and cost of the project. Geraldo and his crew were diligent and hardworking, while taking great care not to…

Great priceRock landscaping

Photos

Customer reviews

5.0 ★★★★★ 143 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Jill Showalter2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jill has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Wonderful experience with Geraldo and Shovel & Spade from start to finish. Communication was fantastic and I couldn’t be happier with the work. Better than expected or imagined. Highly recommended.

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Rock landscaping, Landscape design
Sandra1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Sandra has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I highly recommend Shovel and Spade Landscaping. The owner came to our home to evaluate what we needed. He was very prompt getting back to us with a plan and estimate He soon gave us a date for the start of our project and it was on time We are very happy with the results. We are looking forward to working with them again on another project in the spring

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Landscape installations, Landscape design
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago

Thank you Sandra! We appreciate your support!

Larry Luensman5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Larry has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Excellent job with executing my hardscape ideas. Highly recommend!

Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago

Thank you so much Larry! We appreciate your support!

Ron Brucker2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ron has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great work

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Rock landscaping, Landscape installations, Landscape design
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago

Thank you Ron!

MA, MS, LCPC Julia Madden BozarthLocal Guide · 18 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews MA, has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I recommend S&S to everyone! Talent, integrity, incredibly efficient team work - their work is professional. Their attitude is very positive. The only people we will use in the future...

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Rock landscaping, Landscape installations
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago

Thank you! We look forward to returning!

Nesrin Bakir1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Nesrin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Geraldo and his team did an excellent job. They were on time and professional.

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Landscape installations, Landscape design
Response from the owner · a month ago

Thank you Nesrin!

Dee Ann Stuart5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Dee has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Love, my new landscaping,. We gave them a picture of our dream and they made it not only a dream but reality. Very professional and great craftsmanship.

  • Services: Rock landscaping, Landscape installations
Response from the owner · a month ago

Thank you Dee! We appreciate your support!

Tim Stuart3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Tim has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We retained Shovel and Spade for our front landscaping and sidewalk renovation. They gave us a very detailed bid along with scope of work that exceeded our expectations. They were very creative during points in the renovation when we were at a bid of a stand still on how we would proceed. Their pricing was commensurate with what they delivered for us. They were timely and reviewed progress daily while keeping a very neat worksite daily from start to finish. We would not hesitate to retain them for future projects and would suggest you do the same.

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Landscape installations
Response from the owner · a month ago

Thank you Tim! We appreciate your support!

Kenne Rushton3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Kenne has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We would highly recommend Geraldo and his team at Shovel & Spade. From the very beginning, when we received our free landscaping estimate, Geraldo was prompt, professional, and clearly communicated the timing and cost of the project. Geraldo and his crew were diligent and hardworking, while taking great care not to damage our existing lawn. He stayed in constant communication throughout the project and was always willing to answer our questions. Thank you, Geraldo, for your professionalism and for delivering an amazing final product. We are extremely pleased with the work and look forward to continuing to work with you in the spring!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Rock landscaping
Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you so much for the support! We look forward to returning in the Spring!

Melissa Stoff2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Melissa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The team was wonderful with our big yard cleanup. They were professional, knowledgeable and efficient. Highly recommend for any landscaping needs.

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Landscape management
Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you for your support Melissa!

Shovel & Spade Landscaping on Google Maps →

Business details