Top New Lawn Installation (Sod & Turf) in Evanston, Illinois Ranked

A fresh, green lawn can transform your Evanston property, providing a beautiful, usable outdoor space. Whether you're looking for the instant gratification of sod or the low-maintenance appeal of artificial turf, professional installation is key to long-term success. This guide will help you understand the process, costs, and local considerations for turf and sod installation in Evanston, so you can make an informed decision and connect with qualified professionals for your project.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC

3146 W 59th St, Chicago, IL 60629

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC is a locally owned landscaping and lawn care company based in Chicago, IL. They provide a wide range of outdoor services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, sod installation, tree trimming and removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and concrete pathways. The company serves both residential and commercial clients throughout Chicago, tailoring their services to the local climate and seasonal needs. Their capabilities include lawn aeration, overseeding, and comprehensive landscape maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant outdoor spaces year-round.

4.9

117 Reviews

Luxterra Outdoors

chicago

Luxterra Outdoors is a landscaping company based in Chicago, IL, specializing in landscape design, sod and artificial turf installation, fence installation, yard drainage, sprinkler systems, and hardscaping including pavers and retaining walls. They focus on residential projects, offering sustainable and low-maintenance outdoor spaces tailored to Chicago's unique climate and lot sizes. Their services include managing permits for features like retaining walls and grading, and they incorporate capabilities such as smart irrigation systems and durable materials suited for winter weather. Luxterra Outdoors emphasizes thoughtful design for small urban yards, pet-friendly spaces, and historic homes, combining creativity with practical solutions.

5.0

55 Reviews

Natural Innovations Landscaping

238 S Benton St, Palatine, IL 60067

Natural Innovations Landscaping is a family-owned landscape design and hardscape construction company serving Chicago, IL. With over 15 years of experience, they specialize in installing brick paver patios, driveways, walkways, steps, stoops, and retaining walls. They use Computer Aided Design (CAD) to create custom outdoor living spaces and offer services such as paver restoration, drainage and grading solutions, landscape lighting installation, sod installation, and tree and planting bed management. As a Unilock Authorized Contractor, they focus on durable materials and precise installation techniques to enhance property aesthetics and functionality.

5.0

53 Reviews

Dario Garcia Landscaping LLC

5818 S Archer Rd Suite 114-5, Summit, IL 60501

Dario Garcia Landscaping LLC is a family-owned landscaping and snow removal company based in Chicago, IL. They provide a range of services including lawn care, sod installation, artificial turf, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, and snow and ice management for both residential and commercial properties. Their snow removal service includes shoveling walkways, plowing parking lots and driveways, and applying de-icer or salt to maintain safe outdoor areas during winter. The company emphasizes customized landscaping solutions and efficient snow removal using GPS-equipped trucks for effective routing.

4.8

502 Reviews

See more providers in Evanston, IL

Understanding Your Lawn Installation Options

When planning a new lawn in Evanston, you have two primary paths: natural sod or synthetic turf. Each serves a different purpose and comes with distinct considerations for installation, maintenance, and cost. Natural sod provides a living, breathing carpet of grass that requires sunlight, water, and regular care but offers a classic look and feel. Artificial turf, on the other hand, is a manufactured surface designed to mimic grass, offering a consistently green appearance with minimal upkeep, no watering, and high durability. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, budget, and how you intend to use your yard.

The Appeal of Natural Sod Installation

Sodding is the process of installing pre-grown grass that has been cultivated on a farm and delivered in rolls or slabs. For many homeowners, the primary benefit is an "instant lawn" that establishes quickly, providing immediate erosion control and aesthetic appeal. In Evanston's climate, choosing a cool-season grass variety suited for Illinois, such as Kentucky bluegrass or a fescue blend, is crucial for resilience through hot summers and cold winters. A professionally installed sod lawn, with proper soil preparation, can be ready for light use in a few weeks, making it an excellent solution for those who want a traditional lawn without the long wait associated with seeding.

The Benefits of Artificial Turf Installation

Synthetic grass installation has grown tremendously in popularity for its year-round perfection and significant reduction in long-term maintenance. Once installed, it eliminates the need for mowing, fertilizing, and constant watering, which can be a major advantage during dry spells or for properties with challenging growing conditions. Modern artificial turf looks and feels more realistic than ever, with varying blade lengths and colors. It's particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas, pet runs, shady spots where grass struggles, or for homeowners seeking to reduce their water usage and lawn care chores permanently.

Critical First Step: Site Preparation and Excavation

Regardless of whether you choose sod or synthetic turf, the single most important factor for a successful, long-lasting installation is proper ground preparation. This phase often represents a significant portion of the project's labor and cost but is non-negotiable for a quality outcome. The goal is to create a stable, well-draining base that will support the new surface for years to come.

For both sod and turf projects, the first task is typically the removal of existing vegetation. This involves excavating and stripping away old grass, weeds, and a layer of topsoil. The area is then graded-carefully leveled and sloped-to ensure positive drainage away from your home's foundation. This grading is especially critical in Evanston and the broader Chicago area, where clay soil is common¹. Clay compacts easily and drains poorly, so creating the correct slope is essential to prevent water from pooling on your new lawn.

The preparation then diverges based on the final product:

• For Sod: The subsoil may be tilled and amended with compost or quality topsoil to create a nutrient-rich, loose bed that encourages the sod's roots to knit into the native soil.
• For Artificial Turf: After excavation and grading, a base of compacted crushed stone or decomposed granite is installed. This aggregate base, often several inches thick, provides stability, ensures drainage, and creates a firm, even surface for the synthetic grass to lie on^{1 2 3}.

Breakdown of Installation Costs in Evanston

Understanding the investment for a new lawn helps in planning and budgeting. Costs can vary widely based on the size of your yard, the complexity of site preparation, the quality of materials selected, and the contractor's labor rates. Here's a general overview of what homeowners in Evanston might expect.

Natural Sod Installation Costs: The price for sod installation is typically quoted per square foot. For the materials alone, sod rolls generally cost between $1 and $2 per square foot. When you factor in professional installation-which includes all the vital steps of excavation, soil amendment, grading, laying, and initial watering-the total cost usually ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot^{1 4 5}. For a typical 2,000 square foot yard, this translates to a total project cost in the range of $1,400 to $3,700, though this can be higher if significant grading or soil correction is needed⁶.

Artificial Turf Installation Costs: Synthetic grass involves a higher upfront material cost and a more involved installation process, leading to a higher per-square-foot price. Installed costs for artificial turf in Evanston typically range from $8 to $18 or more per square foot, heavily dependent on the turf quality, pile height, and the complexity of the base preparation^{1 7 3}. For a 1,000 square foot area, a realistic budget would be between $8,000 and $16,000 for a complete professional installation⁷. While this is a larger initial investment, the elimination of ongoing water, fertilizer, and mowing expenses can make it cost-effective over time.

The Professional Installation Timeline

How long your yard will be a work zone depends on the scope of the project and the installation method.

Sod Installation Timeline: A sod installation project moves quickly. The site preparation-including removal of old grass, grading, and soil amending-usually takes 1 to 2 days. The actual laying of the sod rolls can often be completed for an average-sized yard in a single day. After installation, the critical "curing" period begins, where the lawn requires frequent, light watering for several weeks to encourage root establishment before it can handle regular foot traffic^{1 8}.

Artificial Turf Installation Timeline: Synthetic grass projects generally take longer due to the detailed base work. The excavation and grading phase can take several days. Installing and meticulously compacting the crushed stone base is another multi-day process to ensure perfect stability and drainage. Finally, rolling out, seaming, and securing the turf and adding infill (silica sand or crumb rubber) typically takes several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the size and shape of the area^{1 4 9}.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

The prospect of saving money by installing a new lawn yourself is tempting, but it's important to weigh the challenges.

The DIY Route: Installing sod or turf yourself is labor-intensive and requires specific tools (sod cutters, plate compactors, turf knives, etc.). For sod, the challenge is working quickly before the rolls dry out and ensuring perfect seams and grading. For artificial turf, mistakes in base preparation or seaming can lead to poor drainage, visible seams, or an uneven surface. DIY can save on labor costs but carries the risk of a subpar result that may need professional correction later^{10 3}.

The Professional Advantage: Hiring an experienced local landscaper or turf installer brings expertise, efficiency, and assurance. Professionals handle the heavy machinery, understand how to properly grade for Evanston's clay soil, and have the skills to create invisible seams in synthetic grass. They also often provide warranties on their workmanship. Labor rates vary, but you might see rates like $110 per hour for a two-person crew for certain landscaping tasks^{8 10}. This investment in professional labor is what ensures your new lawn is built on a proper foundation and will look great for years.

Local Considerations for Evanston Homeowners

Evanston's specific environment plays a big role in planning your lawn installation.

• Soil Conditions: As mentioned, the prevalence of clay soil in Illinois is a major factor^{1 11}. Clay retains water and can become compacted. Professional graders know how to shape the land to overcome poor drainage, and they may recommend specific soil amendments for sod or a thicker gravel base for artificial turf to ensure water moves through properly.
• Climate: Choosing cool-season grass sod is essential. For artificial turf, UV-stabilized products are important to prevent fading under the summer sun.
• Finding the Right Pro: Look for contractors with specific, verifiable experience in either sod laying or synthetic turf installation. Ask for local references and photos of completed projects in the Chicago area. A pro familiar with our regional challenges will be able to anticipate issues and recommend the best solutions for your property.

Frequently asked questions

Sources