Bret-Mar Landscape has been family owned and operated since 1985. There are two landscape architects, a landscape designer, an ornamental horticulturist, and perennial specialist on staff. We have a fully stocked nursery for clients to tag their own plants as well as display gardens for inspiration. We specialize in creating a unique, aesthetically pleasing, but functional design for each client. We have creative solutions to problem areas and can offer a greater variety of plant choices. We take our clients very seriously and we continue to work on a project until everyone is satisfied.
Business highlights
40 years of trusted experience
Services we offer
Landscape design & installation. Ponds & other water features. Outdoor Lighting. Hardscapes-patios, driveways, walkways, walls & pillars. Fireplaces. Fire pits. Outdoor kitchens. Spring & fall clean ups. Landscaping.
Description of Work: Had a dry river bed installed in perennial garden because of drainage issues. It looks great! Can't wait to see it in action!
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,600
George E.
04/2016
5.0
landscaping, lawn service, mulch
+ 1 more
We have been more than pleased with everything that we have had Bret-Mar do in our landscaping. We would recommend this company in a heart-beat. If you are looking for quality work, professionalism from all personnel and just an overall great experience, this is the company to contact.
Description of Work: This year we had the crew from Bret-Mar spade cut around our fence line, remove weeds and any grass that invaded our mulch and then re-mulch all areas. They also spade cut around all trees and did the same as well as cleaning up in all landscape beds, trimming bushes and re-mulching. We have had Bret-Mar do this for a few years now. It all started, however, when, as a surprise two years ago, my husband had Bret-Mar remove all of the landscape stones and replace with mulch, replace quite a bit of the existing landscape plantings, plant an annual garden and do the spade cutting as above. We have always been very pleased with their work and professionalism.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,400
Doug M.
04/2016
5.0
landscaping, mulch, drain pipe
+ 1 more
Provider has done annual clean-up/maintenance since initial full landscaping of property 10 years ago. As usual, the results were excellent, bushes nicely trimmed, mulch perfectly placed, garden edged crisply. Delighted with results.
Description of Work: Annual spring cleanup and replacement of a dead bush with a beautiful magnolia.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,600
Kathleen N.
07/2014
3.0
landscaping
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
4.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
3.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Tracie D.
07/2013
4.0
hardscaping
+ -1 more
They were quick to get back to me which was nice as many landscapers have not gotten back to me. They explained that they charge a consulting fee in the amount of $75. Other contractors recommended that we put brick over our concrete patio. The girl we spoke with said that they won't even do that work for the patio. I chose not to peruse the project with them.
Description of Work: I called and spoke with them for an estimate for paver work on our back patio.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Response from Bret-Mar Landscape Management
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. It’s great to hear that you found our office staff responsive and professional. As landscape architects and authorized Unilock contractors for over 20 years we do not recommend bricking over a concrete patio for many reasons. Bret-Mar and Unilock are very cautious of this style of installation because the life of your patio depends on the concrete base. Proper slope, cracks, and the smallest deterioration of the concrete patio can cause many problems for a homeowner in the long run. Many contractors do install patios using this method, but as professionals in the industry we stay away from this method. Thank you again for your helpful feedback and we wish you the best of luck with your project.
Mary A W.
10/2012
5.0
landscaping
+ -1 more
I contacted many landscapers and had a total of 4 prices. Price was important but not the deciding factor for me. Creativity, ability to get was needed and service was also important. Sharon and Kurt went to college for landscape architecture and their daughter just finished college for landscaped design. If you looking for something different, more intricate or have hard to plant areas these are your people. Their professionalism is outstanding. Sharon contacted me and came over to evaluate the area in a matter of days. She then brought her husband and daughter and they came and look at the grounds and kicked around ideas. I then met with Sharon again and went over their ideas and pricing. I did not want surprises in cost and asked that whatever we agreed upon would be the cost and Sharon agreed. At first I was not sure if I would do the whole job or have certain planting areas done and leave others for next year. I then met again to choose the varieties of perennials and found working with Sharon a pleasure. Sharon respected my plant color desires and her ability to find plants is extraordinary. I was so impressed I decided to go and have the whole yard done at once. Kurt her husband came about 10 days later with two crews and just went after the project. It took 3 days and many men. They tackled issues such as lighting , problems with neighbors drainage tiles all quickly and professionally. They just took care of it. Every meeting and the time they said they would come was kept. Once I had to cancel last minute and they were flexible. The whole experience was a pleasure and I am sure to be happy with this garden yard!
Description of Work: My landscaping was about 19 years old and my trees had grown so much in that time that the landscaping needed to be changed to shade plants mostly. Areas that were originally sodded needed to be changed into planting areas, we changed areas to rock and some to bark and even a combination of both which looks gorgeous. They used a colored flagstone to create a path along the side of the house that turned out to be attractive and practical. They planted about 30 different types of new perrenials most that will flower at different times. They also took many of my old perrenials divided them a use them in the new planting areas as well. Lastly they planted some mums, johnny jump ups, pansy and placed pumpkins to give a gorgeous finishing touch.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$17,000
Sam C.
08/2012
5.0
landscaping
+ -1 more
I called Bret-Mar for an estimate for landscaping around my bare patio. I didn't really know what I wanted to do, I just wanted some privacy screening for the hot tub, and around the patio. Sharon had great suggestions for what to plant and where, showed me lots of photos to help visualize the end result. I asked her for suggestions on the side and front of my house as well. The estimate for the patio was pretty good,so I decided to add on the rose garden on the side, and replace a small evergreen tree in front with a weeping cherry tree. They did everything in one day, despite the heat and a sudden storm! They planted aborvitae in the hot tub area, a beautiful Prariefire crab tree, surrounded by shrubs, put an outcropping stone step off the patio, and moved an ornamental treee and some perennials around the rest of the patio, and mulched everything. It all flows together beautifully! I would recommend Bret-Mar to everyone!
Description of Work: Landscaping around patio, including trees, shrubs,and mulch. Also moving existing perennials and tree. Additional project of rose garden on side of house and replace small tree in front yard.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,300
katie H.
07/2012
5.0
hardscaping, landscaping
+ 0 more
list subscr
Description of Work: We requested a bid from Bret Mar for an overhaul of our backyard and integration of a new landscaping plan. They understood our challenges, listened well to the goals for our project and designed a plan that was thoughtful, unique and met our expectations. The overall price point was on the high side. However, they had options to pro it down to meet budget requirements etc... In the end, we selected a landscape design firm that was a little closer to our home (North Chicago suburbs). However, I recommend that Angie's List subscribers consider this firm when embarking on a landscape project.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Keith B.
06/2012
5.0
landscaping, hardscaping
+ 0 more
No problems encountered. Very responsive and very experienced. Great work crew as well.
Description of Work: Highly recommend considering Bret-Mar for any landscaping service. Absolutely fantastic work!
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$10,000
Christopher H.
11/2011
5.0
landscaping
+ -1 more
They did a wonderful job. Very helpful in the choosing of plants and flowers to replace what was pulled out. Alot of attention to detail and very tidy in the completion of their work. Very kind and professional people to work with!
Description of Work: They removed and replaced plants from around the house and yard, put in new rocks and edging, and filled in areas freshly cleaned up with new sod.
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
Service Categories
Landscaping,
Pavers and Hardscaping,
Mulch and Topsoil,
Drain Pipe Installation,
Lawn and Yard Work,
Outdoor Kitchens,
Patios,
Landscaping - Lighting,
Fountains,
Landscaping - Lakefront,
Holiday Decorating,
Fireplaces
FAQ
Bret-Mar Landscape Management is currently rated 4.7 overall out of 5.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Bret-Mar Landscape Management accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
No, Bret-Mar Landscape Management does not offer free project estimates.
Bret-Mar Landscape Management offers the following services: Landscape design & installation. Ponds & other water features. Outdoor Lighting. Hardscapes-patios, driveways, walkways, walls & pillars. Fireplaces. Fire pits. Outdoor kitchens. Spring & fall clean ups. Landscaping.