Dig Right In Landscaping, Inc.

We completed a massive side yard make over with Freyja at Dig Right In. Our makeover included a multi layer patio, a fire pit, pergola, retaining wall, multi bed plantings, and sod. Throughout the project, Freyja kept us well informed and answered any questions or concerns very timely. She designed the entire project taking into careful consideration all of our requests while applying her knowledge of drainage issues, plant type, hard landscape materials, and aesthetics. The crew of workers they employ are VERY hard workers who are clearly proud of a job well done. We could not be more happy with our results as all of our family and friends are constantly attesting to! Thank you Dig Right In!

I used Dig Right In Landscaping to landscape my front and back yard. From my first interaction with Freyja to the completion of the job I was impressed. Freyja met with me to discuss the design, asked questions about preferences, and gave me advice that was great. The crew that came were very professional and did a wonderful job.

Overpriced, poor communication, bad design, long wait time. I went with Digrightin at the recommendation of a friend who had never personally used them, but had heard some good things. It was a nightmare. I called in mid-March to ensure I could get the work done by early May and was assured this would be possible. All I wanted was turf grass removed, soil amended, and mulch added to the border of my front lawn (not large), but had to go through a mandatory design process that initially would have cost me over $400 in itself. I talked this down to $180 since I had already explained to them I wanted to do the design and planting myself. For $180 I had to wait a month and finally received a piece a paper with a few lines and a bunch of a circles (see photo). Additionally, Julia (project manager/designer) placed the 4' witchhazel tree (root ball depth over 24") and chokeberry right over my sump pump and gas lines. I had shown her the sump line at our first meeting and the gas line is pretty obvious since the meter is on that side of the house. Eventually I made my own design in Photoshop as it was now the end of April and you aren't put on their schedule until a contract is signed and deposit received. Digrightin was quick to take my money but then communication stopped. After multiple emails and much pleading I was finally able to get on the schedule mid-May, otherwise it would have been mid-June. I was told Julia would be contacting me before the project start date but she did not. When she arrived the morning of the work, she was rude and unprofessional. Luckily the actual work and the crew were satisfactory. After work was completed, nobody followed up with me to see how it went. Instead I got a voicemail from Julia saying I owed another $520 for mulch and I needed to pay it that afternoon. This was considerable since my contract only totaled $1000. Julia had apparently grossly underestimated the amount needed and 3x the amount quoted was used without consulting me first. They did finally agree to give me $130 off. Other reviewers on Houzz seem to have had positive experiences with Julia. I did not. I will never use this company again.

SO pleased with the design and installation of our new landscape by DigRightIn. For years our vintage condo building looked less than its best, surrounded by patchy grass that wouldn't grow in dense shade and a random bunch of one-off shrubs and plants bought on sale. Freyja Conrad and her team created a new vision for our small, unusually shaped environment, choosing handsome native groundcovers to replace the grass and blending existing shrubs with new plantings in a fresh, exciting design. The result is not only beautiful, but also super-low maintenance! *BIG WIN* DRI even had a solution for the crumbling concrete curbs that surrounded our landscape, removing most while performing graceful cuts that kept key sections in place, saving big bucks we otherwise would have invested in re-leveling a large section of our front gardens. Creative, responsive, fast, neat installation by friendly crews, too. We love them.

Freyja, Jose and team have completely reinvigorated two landscapes. We originally hired them to regrade, install hardscaping and a water garden in our home in the west suburbs of Chicago. They did a fantastic job. Last year when we moved to the north suburbs Freyja did us a favor by taking a look at the yard that was covered with undergrowth and had terrible soil. She came up with a plan to overhaul the entire yard, and made my vision of a patio and pergola a reality. We love our new home "addition" -- it will improve the quality of our home life immensely!

Julia and staff were a pleasure to work with. Not only were they responsive to our requests, they were knowledgeable, hardworking and fun to work with! Julia created a beautiful plant habitat in an area of our yard that was in need of renovation. Her design plan and plant selections reflected our desire to use native and low maintenance plants that were suitable for our particular conditions. We are very pleased with her work and the resulting increase in birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects. We look forward to working with Julia and staff further as we renovate other areas of our property.

The owner Julia Bun was a delight. She was knowledgeable, creative and enthusiastic. We needed her to design a landscape plan to redirect water flow in two areas and we wanted her to enhance our property using all native plantings. She spent time educating us in these environment friendly practices which in turn lowered our water bill. I particularly like the rain garden growing next to our eve spout.. We are very happy with the results and would highly recommend The Spirited Gardener.

Julia designed a creative solution for a tremendous water issue for a project in Winnetka that we collaborated on. We were the installer of the permeable gravel base as well as the pavers. She created a design that directed the water flow to a permeable concrete area and then the overflow to a beautiful rain garden, while still incorporating the existing pavers, tying the existing to the new seamlessly. The solution addressed the water problem and the client was really happy with both the functionality and the aesthetics of the new space. Julie was great to work with and very focused on the clients needs as well as doing the right thing for the environment.

I very much enjoyed designing the landscaping for my new home with Julia Bunn, the Spirited Gardener. I had a very clear vision for this project and Julia added her expertise with rain gardens, indigenous plants, organic herbs and rooftop plantings. We had a great time going to various nurseries & garden centers to choose specific plants, bushes & trees. Julia had a great team that installed stonework, lighting and irrigation, and I could not be happier with the results. My green space makes me happy every day-no matter the season!

Spirited Gardner Julia Bunn in 2014 helped us design and build a rain garden for our condo that successfully and beautifully diverts storm water into our front yard in Chicago. Julia clearly explained which native plants would do well in our shady, sandy spot, and she provided us a clear map for our new garden. On "dig day" she did an excellent job of corralling our volunteer crew to ensure we correctly dug our rain swale and planted our plants. Julia also provided guidance over the summer on routine care and on how to put our garden to bed for the winter. I'm looking forward to seeing our rain garden evolve as it matures over the years. Overall, hiring Julia has been one of the best investments our condo has made in the past decade.