How is Van Zelst Inc rated?

Van Zelst Inc is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5

What services does Van Zelst Inc provide?

Van Zelst Inc provides the following services: 3D Rendering, Custom Bocce Ball Courts, Custom Fire Pits, Custom Water Features, Deck Design, Design Consultation, Dog Run Construction, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Edible Gardens, Garden Design, Gazebo Design & Construction, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Landscape Plans, Organic Gardens, Patio Design, Pool Landscaping, Site Planning, Swimming Pool Design, Landscape Maintenance

Where does Van Zelst Inc provide services?

Van Zelst Inc provides services in the following areas: Antioch, Grayslake, Gurnee, Lindenhurst, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Bannockburn, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Green Oaks, Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Highwood, Inverness, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Geneva, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mettawa, Mundelein, Northbrook, Northfield, Palatine, Park Ridge, Riverwoods, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Winnetka

Van Zelst Inc

87 Reviews

Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers

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About Us

12x Best of Houzz winner

Landscapes that Burst with Color and Look Great all Year Long

Meet the award-winning landscape architects at Van Zelst. For over 40 years, Van Zelst has provided complete design, installation and maintenance services throughout Chicago's North Shore and Wisconsin's Lake Geneva area. Look to us for year-round landscapes with breathtaking color, elegant outdoor kitchens and living areas, and expertly installed stonework, all designed around your lifestyle.

Services Provided

Landscape Design, Garden Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Plans, Patio Design, Site Planning, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Custom Fire Pits, Pool Landscaping, Custom Water Features, Swimming Pool Design, Gazebo Design & Construction, Deck Design, Design Consultation, 3D Rendering, Organic Gardens, Edible Gardens, Custom Bocce Ball Courts, Dog Run Construction, Landscape Maintenance

Areas Served

Chicago, Waukegan, Evanston, Palatine, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Park Ridge, Northbrook, Mundelein, Gurnee, Highland Park, Wilmette, Vernon Hills, Grayslake, Libertyville, Lake Zurich, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Antioch, Lindenhurst, Winnetka, Barrington, Hawthorn Woods, Glencoe, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Inverness, Lake Bluff, Northfield, Highwood, Green Oaks, Riverwoods, Wadsworth, Kenilworth, Bannockburn, Mettawa, Golf, Lake Geneva

Awards

Numerous ILCA, PLANET, and ASLA awards. See www.vanzelst.com for details.

Projects

Native Lakeside Planting Retreat

Barrington, IL

Best House on The Street for Summer Pool Parties and Football Night Grilling!

Inspiration for a patio remodel in Chicago

Lighting up the Garden for Evening Entertainment in Lake Forest, IL

Large elegant exterior home photo in Chicago

Landscape Transformed by Bold Colors and Strong Lines

Wilmette, IL

Inspiration for a craftsman patio remodel in Chicago

Wisconsin Lake House Retreat

This is an example of a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Grand Entrance in Glencoe

Glencoe, IL

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Business Details

Business Name

Van Zelst Inc

Phone Number

(847) 623-3580

Website

www.vanzelst.com

Address

39400 U.S. 41
Wadsworth, IL 60083

Typical Job Cost

$15,000 - 450,000

License Number

IL 157000110 / WI 159-14

Followers

206 Followers

Socials

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Credentials

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Write a Review

87 Reviews for Van Zelst Inc

Newest first

4.9|87 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

4.9

Value

4.6

Lindsey M.

Working with David and Working with David has been an absolute pleasure. He’s incredibly personable and always made the effort to come out in person for our conversations, which made the entire process feel thoughtful and collaborative. He provided clear visuals of different design options, making it so much easier to make confident decisions. While his services aren’t the cheapest, the level of care, attention, and high-touch service he provides is truly worth it. I felt genuinely taken care of every step of the way. Highly recommend!

December 5, 2025

Patrick

Dave and the whole Van Zelst team did a wonderful job for us on a rather complex outdoor hardscape project. We would definitely recommend!

September 9, 2025

HU-701185183

Highest quality in workmanship and materials. They reconditioned and reset my bluestone front porch. Looked as good as the day it was originally installed.

September 4, 2025

HU-748428307

Professional, thorough, and responsive. Great work. Family run business. Works with your schedule and budget. Would recommend to anyone looking for great service.

July 13, 2024

HU-96411353

Van Zelst Inc is an outstanding quality landscape service company and more. My family has used their services for many years. David, the owner, Beth in the office and his landscape team go above and beyond the norm. You'll be taken care of and I highly recommend Van Zelst Inc.

July 10, 2024

HU-125456565

Professional, on time , creative and now our yard is the envy of our neighbors. Regular communication as promised and exceedingly friendly work staff . Excellent coordination with irrigation and lighting company as well

July 8, 2024

Don Adams

Could not ask for better service, yard looks great. Looking forward to doing business with Vanzelst again in the future. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

November 27, 2023

Mary Amato

Excellent company. Not inexpensive but they do it right. Have used them twice for big jobs (regrading for water mitigation, new driveway, redesign of landscaping on large lot as well as a new terrace on downsize). Work people are knowledgeable, friendly and thorough. Highly recommend.

October 20, 2023

Rachel K

We loved working with David and his crew. Dave helped break our giant project into smaller easier to manage steps so that we can start enjoying our garden right away as well as spread out the cost over time. He came up with a game plan to give us a chance to work on a few things ourselves in order to stay on budget. His crew was professional and they are true craftsmen. We have already decided to do another project with VanZelst next spring. His approach to business is to develop long-term clients, not just one and done. He cares about his job. They are top shelf!

August 7, 2023

HU-456315720

My existing gardens were in need of a major makeover. The landscape project is taking place in phases. I’m grateful that I reached out to Van Zelst. I appreciate the professionalism, talent and sound recommendations. DaShan is performing a wonderful revitalization and landscape transformation. I also wish to compliment Bill and Art and a shout-out to their hardworking and kind installation and maintenance crews. Another shout-out to the friendly office staff. I’m enjoying the gardens and noticed a lot of wildlife- butterflies and hummingbirds- enjoying the gardens too! The Van Zelst team is top-notch!

June 28, 2023

Tom Klimmeck

Van Zelst designed and installed the landscaping and hardscaping plan for our 170’ x 200’ single family residential lot in two stages in 2015 and 2016. They have been contracted to provide ongoing maintenance and upkeep pretty much since that time. They showed careful planning in the sizing and placement of the initial plantings where the various plants, bushes and trees have matured into a very pleasant visual experience. There has been little crowding and very little mortality of much of anything. We receive nothing but compliments from friends and strangers alike. Their initial and ongoing recommendations were and are spot on and their current advice is spot on. If you want a cheap lawn service that cuts your grass and moves quickly this will not be a fit for you. If you want something that is more comprehensive and professional this is the team for you.

June 6, 2023

Patricia Cielinski

DaShan C. Nixon, our Designer/Client Representative, from Van Zelst, Inc. was exactly who we needed to successfully see our project through to the end. She was always available for consultations when we requested options for a drainage problem on the property. DaShan consulted with her Design Team and the Project Manager to propose an attractive, effective, and affordable solution. The crew, working diligently, completed their task in two days while inconveniencing no one, considering they were working on our primary walkway. Congratulations on a job "well done." And many thanks, Da Shan, for your patience; your experience in this field of work is most apparent. Most sincerely, The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago

December 10, 2022

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129 Comments

Commented: what is the pink stone?This is a full range New York bluestone. The color range is subtle rust-like browns through blueish grey.

May 27, 2026

Commented: Lakefront LandscapingFor inspiration and to get ideas for your lakefront home, you can see photos of lakefront properties on our website Photo Gallery. Our projects are in Chicago's North Shore and southeastern Wisconsin....

February 3, 2022 in Landscape Design

Commented: Need Help Enhancing Pool AreaIt's our pleasure Tom, good luck with your project!

November 17, 2021 in Landscape Design

Commented: How to stop water drainage from nieghbors property?Yard areas with runoff and drainage issues can be challenging. Considering opportunities to improve drainage and to enhance the aesthetics of your property adjacent to your neighbor, there are a numbe...

October 13, 2021 in Landscape Design

Commented: Help us make friends!!!You've got the right idea by creating a welcoming social hub out front. Consider creating a multi-purpose patio with low plantings. Some examples are shown below. A sunny spot to visit with friends,...

September 1, 2021 in Landscape Design

Commented: Rain Garden(s) on Shady LaneThis discussion made us think of offering a link to our blog about rain gardens: https://www.vanzelst.com/blog/rain-gardens/. It includes a list of plant suggestions for the Midwest and some inspirati...

July 26, 2021 in Landscape Design

Van Zelst Inc