Landscaping in Albany Park, Chicago

Family-owned full-service landscaping for Albany Park and the surrounding North Side. Lawn care, snow removal, tree work, mulching, sod, irrigation, hardscape, and custom design.

We Know Albany Park

We've been working Albany Park yards for years — from the brick bungalows lining Sawyer and Kedzie, to the two-flats and three-flats on Spaulding and Christiana, to the deeper lots that back up to the Chicago River along Manor Avenue. Albany Park has more bungalows than most North Side neighborhoods, which means deeper front yards, real backyards you can actually use, and parkway trees that have been there forty-plus years. The yards reflect the housing stock: mature root systems that lift slabs and warp pavers, narrow gangways between bungalows that won't take anything bigger than a wheelbarrow, and clay-heavy soil that holds water if it isn't graded right. Lots that back up to the river add a flooding dynamic — grading and drainage matter more here than in most North Side pockets. Parkway trees, owned by the city and protected by the Bureau of Forestry, are off-limits without permits. We've done enough Albany Park work that none of this surprises us, and that's what keeps your project on schedule and out of trouble with the city.

Full-Service Landscaping for Albany Park Homes

Most of our work in the neighborhood is the everyday stuff: weekly lawn maintenance for homeowners who'd rather spend Saturday at Ronan Park or grabbing dinner on Lawrence than behind a mower, and seasonal mulching every spring to keep front beds sharp going into summer. We handle sod installation for the strip the previous owner gave up on, and tree removal — including the parkway tree process when the city's involved — for storm damage, dead trees, and hazards over the roof or alley. For homes ready to do more, we install irrigation systems sized for bungalow lots with smart Wi-Fi controllers that stop wasting water, build paver patios and hardscape that turn a real backyard into a real outdoor room, and take on full landscape installs tuned to Chicago's growing zone. For full backyard rebuilds — especially river-adjacent lots that need real grading and drainage solved — we start with a proper landscape design, a scaled plan with planting specs and material callouts. And once winter hits, we run snow removal routes through the neighborhood that keep walks and driveways clear before the morning Kimball Brown Line rush.

Free On-Site Estimates

We'll come walk your property, talk through what you actually want to do, and give you a real number — not a placeholder you'll "be approved for" later. No pressure, no upsell, no surprise add-ons on the invoice. A lot of our Albany Park work comes from referrals — one happy block on Sawyer or Spaulding becoming three or four jobs the following season — so ask around. Chances are we've already worked on someone's yard near you. Call us at (773) 305-6559 or request a quote online and we'll get out to you within a few days.

TESTIMONIALS

What Albany Park Homeowners Say About Us

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes — fully licensed and insured for residential and commercial landscaping work in Chicago. We're happy to send proof of insurance before any job. Honestly, you should be asking every contractor for the same.

What Chicago neighborhoods do you serve?

We service most of Chicago's North Side, including Albany Park, Andersonville, Irving Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, North Center, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Roscoe Village, Uptown, and West Ridge. If you're nearby and not on the list, give us a call — chances are we can still help.

Are you really a family business?

Yes. O'Brien Brothers Landscape was started by Emmet O'Brien, a Chicago kid who started cutting lawns at twelve and never really stopped. We've grown a crew and added trucks, but the company is still local, still owner-run, and the name on the truck is the name answering the phone.

How do I get a quote?

Call us at (773) 305-6559 or message through our site. For routine work we can ballpark over the phone; for design, hardscape, or larger installs we'll come walk the property in person — free, no pressure.

How often should my lawn be mowed in Chicago?

During peak growing season (May through August), most Chicago lawns need cutting every 7 days. In spring and fall, every 10–14 days is usually enough. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, and one-time service depending on what your lawn actually needs.

Do you do residential snow removal?

Yes — driveways, walkways, front steps, and back paths. We service homes and commercial properties across the North Side.

When should I mulch my beds in Chicago?

Late April through mid-May is the ideal window — soil has warmed up, weeds haven't established yet, and your beds look sharp heading into summer. A lighter fall refresh in October helps insulate roots through winter.

When is the best time to install sod in Chicago?

Best windows are mid-April through June, and late August through October. Peak summer heat is rough on establishing roots, so we avoid it when we can. Technically sod can be laid any time the ground isn't frozen, but timing strongly affects how well it takes.

Do you install full sprinkler systems?

Yes — full design and installation including heads, zones, valves, controller, and backflow. We use commercial-grade components, not big-box parts that fail in three seasons.

What does a landscape design include?

A scaled site plan, a planting plan with species suited to Chicago's climate (and your specific sun/soil conditions), and material specs for any hardscape elements. For larger projects we can include 3D rendering so you see exactly what you're getting before we break ground.

Do you build patios, walkways, and retaining walls?

Yes — paver patios, natural stone, poured concrete, brick walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, outdoor kitchens. Styles range from clean modern to traditional Chicago bungalow.

What's the difference between concrete and pavers?

Concrete is cheaper upfront but cracks in Chicago freeze-thaw cycles and is hard to repair cleanly. Pavers cost more but flex with the ground, last decades, and any individual stone can be lifted and reset if it ever shifts. For most North Side homes, pavers are the long-term value play.