Landscape Designers in the Greater Chicago Area

Full-Service landscape design & installation

LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES TO FIT YOUR NEEDS

Whether you’re looking to install a new patio for outdoor entertaining, transform your outdoor living space, or create the backyard pool of your dreams, our clients have come to appreciate our quality craftsmanship, proactive communication, and creative solutions over the last 43 years.

At James Martin Associates, we pride ourselves on a personalized service to fit each client’s lifestyle and goals. From design through to planning and installation, our dedicated team of landscape designers and project managers will keep you fully informed about our activity on your property.

Let us help you transform your outdoor space – book a free consultation today.

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

FULL-SERVICE LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR THE SENSES

At James Martin Associates, we understand that living in your landscape is as important as looking at it. We build landscapes that engage all of your senses, no matter what kind of features you’re looking for.

Water features should exude tranquility with their rippling blue surfaces and gentle lapping sounds. Front entry walks should make you feel at home and provide unmistakable curb appeal. An outdoor kitchen can make relaxed barbecues a breeze, or create an impressive alfresco dining experience for your guests. 

Whatever amenity it is, your outdoor space should be as individual as you. A signature place to gather family and friends while increasing the aesthetic value of your landscape.

View our Portfolio

A TOP-RATED LANDSCAPING COMPANY

Whether conceptualizing patio ideas, installing your first landscape feature, or continued management of your gardens over the years, you’ll reap the benefits of our wide range of services. Discover how our client-centered approach has made us one of the top-rated landscape companies in the Chicago area.

Plus, get inspiration for your next project by exploring our portfolio and let us help you create a landscape that truly reflects your unique personality and lifestyle.

Together we’ll develop a plan that works with your needs and budget to build and maintain your landscape for years to come. Speak to our landscape designers about your dream project today.

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

“James Martin Associates is a top-notch company that we would highly recommend people to use. The job was completed on-time and we were so pleased with the results! We would not hesitate to use James Martin Associates for future projects.”

Anonymous
Our Landscape Design & Build Services

Creating beautiful landscapes for fulfilling lifestyles

WE DESIGN AND INSTALL A RANGE OF LANDSCAPE FEATURES

View All Landscape Features

AWARD-WINNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

From a simple outdoor patio design to ensuring an ecologically responsible transformation of your grounds, the landscape of your dreams can become a reality. Registered landscape architects, designers and horticulturists are on staff and ready to provide a complimentary consultation at your home.

We know you’ll enjoy working with our talented landscape professionals who provide a personal touch at every step of the process. The James Martin Associates team includes:

  • Passionate sales team members with 40+ years of combined experience
  • Licensed, award-winning landscape architects
  • Certified design project managers and crews

Take a look at our portfolio to see some of the landscapes that we’ve transformed over the years.

We’re ready when you are.

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

“David and I want you to know that we are VERY pleased with your design and plant selections. It looks great today and I am sure it will look better after the plants have time to mature. We enjoyed working with you and will continue to use [JMA] because of you.”

Denise
Our Landscape Design & Installation Approach

Let’s walk through the process

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Whether you want to update your current landscape, build a new home, or add an addition, you are an indispensable member of our design team. After all, no one knows better than you how you want your landscape to look or how you want to enjoy it.

From the initial meeting through to the finished project, we want you to feel comfortable, confident and involved. The landscape design professionals at James Martin Associates will work closely with you from day one, exploring multiple options and discussing schedule and budget.

This ensures two desired outcomes: you’ll end up with exactly the landscape you envisioned, and you’ll have a great time helping to make it happen!

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

1. INITIAL MEETING: YOUR PARTNER FROM DAY ONE

You know what you want for your home’s landscape – generally if not specifically – and it’s our job to understand it, design it, and make it a reality. James Martin Associates has a proven process for doing so.

After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up an initial meeting time that’s convenient for you. During that meeting, one of our landscape designers will come to your home and:

  • Listen to your landscaping needs and preferences, including design styles, building materials and plants.
  • Ask about any special concerns such as drainage issues or unwanted views.
  • Walk your property to see any issues directly and get the lay of the land (literally)!

2. INSPIRATION: TAKING A LOOK AT SIMILAR PROJECTS

Next, we’ll show you examples from our portfolio of projects that achieved solutions of desired outcomes similar to yours. We want to help you visualize exactly what the possibilities are for your home’s landscape.

Based on the scope of your project, we will leave you with a design retainer agreement and a design questionnaire so you can take your time thinking about your needs, styles and options.

View our Portfolio

3. DESIGN: WE'LL START WITH YOUR IDEAS

During the early stages of the planning process, our landscape designer will conduct a creative exploration of widely varied ideas to zero in on the ideal solution for you and your lifestyle.

We’ll take into consideration your existing outdoor living area, including any plant materials and hardscapes, and then discuss a broad range of ideas with you. For example, if you’re interested in water features, we’ll show you examples of pools, spas, fountains, ponds, and more. You’ll find it fun and exciting right from the start.

4. BUDGETS: WE'LL NEVER SURPRISE YOU

As experts in designing and installing beautiful landscapes, James Martin Associates knows how much different options cost. We’ll show you pricing comparisons, offer installation phasing options, and itemize every part of your plan for your approval up front.

We’ll budget every boulder:

  • Existing plant protection and/or removals
  • Hardscapes (concrete, wood, stone, fencing, lighting, etc.)
  • Softscapes (plants and groundcover)
  • All other key aspects of your project including any necessary sub-contracting
  • Recommended landscape maintenance budgets

The only surprise you might experience is the end result looking even more beautiful than you imagined!

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

5. FINAL PLAN: PUTTING YOUR DREAMS TO PAPER

At James Martin Associates, we deliver what we promise.

Upon refining the concepts into the final plan, we’ll come to your home for a Proposal Meeting, complete with Plan Presentation, Image Booklet and Detailed Proposal. We want you to understand and approve exactly what your dream landscape will entail.

6. CONSTRUCTION: QUALITY, COLLABORATION, CONSIDERATION

Your new landscape needs to stand the test of time. That’s why at James Martin Associates, we use only top-quality materials, designed to look beautiful for years to come.

Plus, we work hard to make the installation phase just as enjoyable as the project planning phase. Our construction team will involve you as much or as little as you’d like. By keeping you fully informed and encouraging you to stay involved, we can continue to collaborate with you as a partner throughout construction.

Finally, we never forget that we are guests on your property; we will be considerate in keeping noise, mess and distraction to a minimum. Because it’s not just our job site, it’s your home.

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

7. MAINTENANCE: YOUR LANDSCAPING PARTNER FOR LIFE

At James Martin Associates, our partnership with you doesn’t end when construction is complete.

Included in every contract where we install irrigation and plants, we provide a one-year warranty on your new plants, ensuring that any plants that don’t make it through the year are replaced.

Beyond the first year, your landscape will benefit from ongoing horticultural and aesthetic adjustment. We’ll identify routine and long-term maintenance needs and offer to take care of those for you. After all, who knows your landscape better than the pros who built it?

We can provide regular landscape maintenance throughout the season, once a year horticultural pruning, or anything in-between. 

We’ll take care of everything:

  • Permits & applications
  • Installation schedule & job plan
  • Ordering materials
  • Calling utility locate prior to excavation
  • Preserving existing plant features as needed
  • Excavation and grading
  • Irrigation and landscape lighting installation
  • Stone masonry and pavers
  • Plants and groundcover
  • Keeping a clean and safe work site
  • Daily site supervision
  • Regular work progress communication via email, phone or however you prefer to stay abreast to the improvement of your landscape
  • Coordination of project team sub-contractors
  • Transition into the landscape maintenance service

Ready to make your landscape vision a reality?

Let’s GET started