#1
Shovel & Spade Landscaping
“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.” — Google review
Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings
The Best Landscape Architects in Bloomington, IL
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
95%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.84★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
3.3%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
From 1,972 Google reviews of 20 top-rated landscape architects nationwide; 10 of them in Bloomington, IL. Updated November 1, 2026.
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Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of landscape architects).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-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.Reliability (24%): How 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.Craft & service (0%): Google 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.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises 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.Replies to reviews (7%): How 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.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 | Shovel & Spade LandscapingBloomington, IL | A 99How 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. | AAAAA– | 4.99 | — |
| 2 |  Brookside LandscapesBloomington, IL | A 98How 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%97+25.3Value 15%97+14.8Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not 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. | AAAAA– | 4.99 | — |
| 3 |  Chizmar LandscapingBloomington, IL | A 95How 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%97+56.9Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%92+14Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 95Not 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. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 4 |  Prairie View Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc.Bloomington, IL | A 95How 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%95+55.8Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 95Not 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. | AAAAA– | 4.93 | — |
| 5 |  Hedgewood Lawn ServicesBloomington, IL | A 93How 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%93+54.6Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%93+14.2Experts Score= 93Not 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. | AA–AA– | 4.96 | — |
| 6 |  Bellas LandscapingBloomington, IL | A 90How 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 55%92+50.2Reliability 24%88+21.3Value 14%95+13.4Replies to reviews 7%74+5.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 90Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAB | 4.87 | — |
| 7 |  Legacy OutdoorBloomington, IL | A 88How 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%91+53.4Reliability 26%89+23.2Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty57−4.3Experts Score= 88Not 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. | AACAA– | 4.91 | — |
| 8 |  Reinhart Landscaping & SnowBloomington, IL | A 86How 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 55%90+49.1Reliability 24%85+20.6Value 14%80+11.3Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AABAAA | 4.88 | — |
| 9 |  AE Landscape Borders BloomingtonBloomington, IL | A 85How 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 55%87+47.5Reliability 24%92+22.3Value 14%63+8.9Replies to reviews 7%93+6.6Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–BAA | 4.88 | — |
| 10 |  Changing Seasons Landscape and Landscape IncBloomington, IL | B 62How 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 55%61+33.3Reliability 24%44+10.7Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%66+4.7Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 62Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCAAAB | 4.65 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Landscape Architects in Bloomington, IL at a glance
How the 10 landscape architects we rated in Bloomington, IL compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A990%
- Grade B110%
- Grade C00%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up660%
- 4.80–4.89★330%
- 4.60–4.79★110%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality34222%
- Professionalism36223%
- Responsiveness31420%
- Punctuality27518%
- Value26917%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price11430%
- Reasonable22560%
- Overpriced185%
- Not sure185%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
2025
2026
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-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.
Reliability (24%) — How 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.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google 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.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises 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.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How 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.
The 10 best-rated landscape architects in Bloomington, IL average 4.9★ on Google across 965 reviews. Shovel & Spade Landscaping has the top rating (5.0★), and AE Landscape Borders Bloomington has the most reviews (265). Updated October 29, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (965 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
#2
AE Landscape Borders Bloomington
“Great experiences with everyone I dealt with. Ryne got me set up with exactly what I was looking for; the guys that came to install the border were super nice and explained everything as they went along. I love it!” — Google review
#3
Brookside Landscapes
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with them on both personal and commercial projects, and they have been top-notch every time. From the initial design and planning through the final execution, their attention to…” — Google review
#4
Bellas Landscaping
“Bellas Landscaping was efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. The company started when they had anticipated which was very helpful. They went out of their way to be sure I was satisfied with the project!” — Google review
#5
Reinhart Landscaping & Snow
“Awesome experience with this team. We've worked with them for years and they never disappoint. They continually go above and beyond taking that next step the makes the landscape awesome instead of just good.” — Google review
#6
Chizmar Landscaping
“Did an amazing job on the project. They got things done right away, were friendly and respectful, and were willing to adapt as the project progressed. We will certainly be using them again for any future landscaping…” — Google review
#7
Legacy Outdoor
“I own a company that services/installs pools and we use Legacy to do any dirt work/landscaping for us and they are top tier. I would give their name out to anyone based on their integrity alone. They have real skill…” — Google review
#8
Prairie View Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc.
“Prairie View Landscaping did a fantastic job for us. Rich worked with us to come up with a great design and Jason and his crew did excellent work with the implementation. Our previous landscaping included a mailbox…” — Google review
#9
Changing Seasons Landscape and Landscape Inc
“We are so happy with the project that was just completed by Changing Seasons Lawn and Landscape. The quality and the service surpassed our expectations. They were excellent to work with and gave us creative…” — Google review
#10
Hedgewood Lawn Services
“They came and did aeration when they told me they would and they cleaned up afterwards. Their service is top notch! Highly recommend using them!” — Google review
How we pick landscape architects in Bloomington
We scan Google Maps for landscape architect listings in and around Bloomington, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-rated landscape architect in Bloomington?
Shovel & Spade Landscaping has the highest Google rating on our Bloomington list: 5.0 out of 5 from 143 reviews (as of October 29, 2026).
Which landscape architect in Bloomington has the most reviews?
AE Landscape Borders Bloomington has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 265, with a 4.9★ average.
How are these landscape architects chosen?
Only open Bloomington-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
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