The Best Landscape Designers
We graded 23 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 2,476 Google reviews of 23 top-rated landscape designers nationwide. Updated October 28, 2026.
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Best landscape designers for retaining walls
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Everlast Landscape Design | Hardscape Design & BuildHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%8Overall Experts Score 20%95Job match= 93Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.93
Apple Landscape Design LLCHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%5Overall Experts Score 20%77Job match= 84Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.84
Creekside LandscapesHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%97Job match= 82Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.82
Dawn To Dusk LandscapingHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%95Job match= 81Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.81
AJD LandscapingHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%91Job match= 80Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.85★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.80Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Retaining walls” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about retaining walls
Everlast Landscape Design | Hards…This is a local owned business. Kevin provides customer-oriented service and his wife creates the designs. Our project involved removing 25 years of decayed wood from around a raised deck and replacing the retaining wall with stone. We attempted to get quotes from other businesses without great customer service.…
Dawn To Dusk LandscapingDave and his crew tore out some of our old landscaping and we started from scratch. They replaced the old border around current landscape as well as planted new annuals and added a new border and rock around the sides of the house we didn’t have it. The finished project looks amazing and we couldn’t be happier. I…
Creekside LandscapesDestin and the crew at Creekside were a pleasure to work with. They were VERY communicative and got out project done in a timely manner. The project turned out better than we could have hoped. Would definitely recommend them if you have any sized landscaping project done.
Apple Landscape Design LLCGreat experience working with Luis and the crew. Very helpful and responsive (even at midnight) in working through different changes to the layout to bring the vision to life. Highly recommend.
AJD LandscapingWe have used AJD Landscaping for 2 projects now and they did an awesome job both times. They did our landscaping in our front yard for the first project, which turned out great. Most recently, they built a new patio in our backyard, along with a small retaining wall and some landscaping. We are thrilled with how…
Everlast Landscape Design | Hards…Kevin and the Everlast Team were fantastic to work with. I didn’t really know what I wanted. Kevin helped bring my vision to life. I could not be happier with how the work turned out. I highly recommend Everlast for your hardscape and landscape needs.
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 designers).
| # | 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 |  Right Click Digital, Inc.Collinsville, 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 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%97+29.8Experts Score= 99Not enough data for value, 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––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Masterpiece Landscaping LLC.Collinsville, 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%95+24.8Value 15%98+14.9Experts 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. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  H&M GardeningWoodridge, IL | A 97How 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%100+58.7Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%85+12.9Experts Score= 97Not 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– | 5.00 | — |
| 4 |  Nickens Landscaping & Excavating LLCCollinsville, IL | A 97How 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%98+57.5Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 97Not 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– | 4.96 | — |
| 5 | Creekside LandscapesCollinsville, IL | A 97How 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%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 97Not 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– | 4.96 | — |
| 6 |  Willow Glen Landscape, Inc.Woodridge, IL | A 96How 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%96+25Value 15%87+13.2Experts Score= 96Not 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– | 5.00 | — |
| 7 |  Montano's LandscapingWoodridge, 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%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts 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– | 4.97 | — |
| 8 | Everlast Landscape Design | Hardscape Design & BuildWoodridge, 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%93+24.3Value 15%100+15.2Craft & 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– | 4.94 | — |
| 9 | Dawn To Dusk LandscapingSwansea, 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%98+57.5Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty77−2.3Experts 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. | AABAA– | 4.97 | — |
| 10 |  Ryan Ballheimer Landscape DesignCollinsville, 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%96+56.3Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%82+12.5Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts 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. | AAAAA– | 4.98 | — |
| 11 | AJD LandscapingCollinsville, IL | A 91How 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%87+21.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%93+6.6Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.85 | — |
| 12 |  Frisella Landscape GroupSt. Louis, MO | 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%86+46.9Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%62+4.4Craft & service penalty74−2.6Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AABAAB | 4.82 | — |
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 Designers at a glance
How the 23 landscape designers we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A1461%
- Grade B835%
- Grade C14%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up1148%
- 4.80–4.89★522%
- 4.60–4.79★730%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality49924%
- Professionalism47323%
- Responsiveness41120%
- Punctuality37318%
- Value31715%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price7530%
- Reasonable16766%
- Overpriced31%
- Not sure73%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
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.