Landscaping splits into two business lines with fundamentally different economics: installation (high-ticket one-time projects) and maintenance (lower-ticket recurring visits that build predictable monthly revenue). The best landscaping contractors acquire installation customers through inbound calls and convert satisfied customers to recurring maintenance. Exclusive installation leads carry the highest immediate value; maintenance conversion creates the long-term base.
Illinois is an active market for landscaping services, shaped by cold winters and hot summers creating year-round HVAC demand; freeze-thaw cycles create roofing and plumbing urgency. Chicago metro is one of the largest home services markets in the Midwest with consistent demand across all trades. Major landscaping markets in Illinois include Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, and Joliet. Demand is spring through fall for outdoor trades; winter for HVAC emergency and plumbing. RankLocal delivers exclusive landscaping leads in Illinois as inbound phone calls -- you pay only for qualified calls over 60 seconds from within your Illinois service area. Average call cost: $35-80 per qualified call. Close rate on exclusive calls: 25-40%.