Van Zelst Inc.

- 39400 N US-41, Wadsworth, IL 60083

For discerning homeowners and commercial property managers throughout Illinois, particularly across Chicago’s prestigious North Shore and surrounding Lake County, achieving a truly exceptional outdoor environment requires more than a simple gardening service. It demands the expertise of a true design-build general contractor who can seamlessly merge the art of landscape architecture with the engineering of durable hardscapes. Van Zelst Inc., an award-winning firm based in Wadsworth, IL, has established itself as the premier partner for comprehensive, high-quality exterior projects for nearly 50 years. Founded by David Van Zelst in 1979, the company’s mission is to create landscapes that are both livable and memorable, enhancing the natural beauty of the outdoors across estate gardens and suburban properties.

Van Zelst Inc. operates as a full-service entity, meaning they handle every stage of a project: from the initial concept design and detailed planning to superior installation and meticulous long-term maintenance. This streamlined approach offers Illinois clients a single point of contact and assures confidence that the initial design vision translates flawlessly into a real-world, functional, and beautiful space. The team consists of landscape architects, designers, and installation professionals who specialize in overcoming complex challenges, such as integrating large-scale retaining walls, resolving sophisticated water and drainage issues common in the region, and custom-building luxurious outdoor living spaces that truly expand a home’s footprint.

Customers seeking a “mow, blow, and go” contractor are advised to look elsewhere. Van Zelst Inc. is dedicated to a higher level of service and quality. As noted by one long-term client, the company offers a superior product, excellent service, and professional, thorough, and carefully conducted work. The emphasis is consistently on quality, longevity, and a comprehensive, thoughtful plan that ensures plants thrive and hardscape elements endure the challenging seasonal shifts of the Illinois climate. This commitment to excellence justifies why many clients consider their service "worth every penny" for the professional care and lasting value delivered to their North Shore and Lake County properties.

Van Zelst Inc. is centrally and strategically located in the Village of Wadsworth, Illinois, placing them at a key nexus for serving the expansive and affluent clientele of the Chicagoland North Shore and Southeast Wisconsin areas. Wadsworth, a small village in Lake County, is known for its "country living" atmosphere while maintaining excellent connectivity to the greater metropolitan area.

The company’s facility is situated at:

39400 N US-41, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA

The location directly on US Highway 41 (US-41) provides exceptional logistical advantages, allowing the experienced crews, high-quality plant stock, and necessary heavy equipment to quickly access job sites across a large service area. This accessibility is vital for ensuring timely and efficient service for both initial installations and ongoing weekly landscape maintenance. The firm proudly serves communities stretching from Antioch, Glencoe, Glenview, and Deerfield on the North Shore, all the way up to the Lake Geneva area in Wisconsin, making their Wadsworth headquarters the operational heart for some of the region's most prominent and complex landscape projects.

As a diversified general contractor with a specialization in exterior environments, Van Zelst Inc. provides an extensive, integrated suite of services, ensuring comprehensive care from the soil up.

• Landscape Architecture and Design-Build: Full Service Landscape Design, Customized Landscape Plan creation, Architects Designing, Site Analysis, Site Grading, Design & Installation, and New Construction landscape planning.
• Advanced Hardscaping and Paving: Specialization in Hardscape Installation, Stone & Paver Driveways, Concrete Paver Driveways, Brick Paver Driveway, Asphalt paving & repair, Bluestone Patios, Stone Patios, Brick Patio, Pool Deck paving, and Retaining Walls including Stone Retaining Wall.
• Outdoor Living Area Construction: Designing and building Outdoor Living Spaces such as Gourmet Outdoor Kitchens, Fireplaces And Fire Pits (Fire Features), Outdoor Patio areas, Garden Fountain and Water Features, and Roof Deck designs.
• Critical Water Management and Drainage: Expertise in Drainage service, Paving-related drainage solutions, Storm Water Management, Water Issues resolution, and installation of French Drains.
• Fencing and Architectural Elements: Installation of Custom Fencing, Iron Fencing, and setting of Fence Posts as integral parts of the overall landscape design.
• Lawn and Garden Maintenance: Professional Lawn mowing & maintenance, Weekly Landscape Maintenance, Irrigation system repair & maintenance, Fall Clean-Up, Tree Removal, and specialized Garden Maintenance plans.
• Aesthetic and Lighting Enhancements: Installation of New Plantings, Seasonal Color, Planting Beds, Flower Beds, Outdoor Lighting, and Holiday Lighting to ensure visual appeal throughout the year.

Van Zelst Inc. is recognized throughout Illinois and the Chicago North Shore for several distinguishing features that underscore their position as a top-tier general contractor for outdoor spaces.

• Design-Build Excellence: They are a true design/build firm, ensuring seamless transition from the initial award-winning landscape architecture phase to the superior installation. This approach, where designers and builders work together, is more cost-effective and provides greater quality control for the client.
• Mastery of Complex Projects: Customer testimonials highlight their success in tackling multi-faceted and challenging projects involving steep grades, complex water drainage problems (preventing standing water), and large-scale hardscape integration, such as a large patio, entry, and extra parking area.
• Veteran Leadership and Team Quality: The presence and direct involvement of the owner, David (Dave), throughout the process, is highly valued by clients, demonstrating accountability and high customer service. Customers also consistently praise the crew, including the project manager, Bob, and foreman, Jose Luise, for their hard work and "great attention to detail."
• Proprietary Plant Stock: The firm enhances its landscape designs by growing its own high-quality plant stock. This ensures that the recommended plants are healthy, hardy, and guaranteed to survive and thrive in the specific Chicago-area environment, a key factor for long-lasting aesthetic appeal.
• Focus on High-End Service: Van Zelst Inc. targets clients seeking a "higher service level" and better quality, focusing on creating fully realized Outdoor Living Areas with elements like custom fire pits and gourmet outdoor kitchens, not just basic lawn service.
• Accessibility: The facility includes a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, demonstrating a commitment to serving all members of the Illinois community.

For residents and businesses in the North Shore, Lake County, and surrounding Illinois communities looking to partner with a distinguished landscape architect and hardscaping general contractor, please use the following contact details:

Address: 39400 N US-41, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA

Phone: (847) 623-3580

Mobile Phone: +1 847-623-3580

Choosing Van Zelst Inc. is an affirmation of value over cost for your Illinois property's exterior. The firm's nearly five decades of experience and award-winning expertise in the Chicago North Shore are critical differentiators. They offer an unmatched depth of knowledge, particularly regarding the region's climate challenges and high-end residential and commercial design expectations. Clients are choosing a firm that acts not merely as a contractor, but as a long-term partner dedicated to creating a comprehensive, beautiful, and lasting outdoor environment.

The testimonials speak volumes: from successfully executing complicated drainage and elevation projects to providing highly professional, thorough, and careful annual maintenance, Van Zelst Inc. delivers peace of mind. Their integrated design-build model, which keeps project oversight under one roof, minimizes the hassles and risks often associated with coordinating multiple sub-contractors. Furthermore, the personal attention, often including the owner's direct involvement and the excellent conduct of the project managers and crews, guarantees a smooth, transparent, and responsive customer experience. For a significant investment in your home's exterior—from a gourmet outdoor kitchen to a complicated stone retaining wall—Van Zelst Inc. represents the top tier of Illinois general contractors, promising a finished product that will be professional, memorable, and a source of enjoyment for years to come.

Van Zelst Inc.

39400 N US-41, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA