Hardscaping Services inChampaign, Illinois
Build Timeless Outdoor Spaces with Confidence
Chris & Company, Inc. brings 30 years of experience in landscape construction to homes and businesses. As seasoned professionals in hardscaping, we specialize in designing and installing custom-built outdoor living areas that elevate property aesthetics while increasing usability and long-term value. Our services extend throughout Champaign, Illinois, and nearby cities such as Urbana, Mahomet, Savoy, Rantoul, and St. Joseph—ensuring that quality craftsmanship is just around the corner for residents and property owners across the region.
In contrast to softscaping, which involves vegetation and planting, hardscaping focuses on your landscape's "non-living" elements, such as patios, retaining walls, pavers, walkways, and outdoor kitchens. These features define structure and layout and help control soil erosion, manage water flow, and create more functional, enjoyable outdoor environments year-round. Whether you're envisioning a stone patio for entertaining guests, a fire pit for cozy autumn nights, or decorative walkways to enhance curb appeal, our team offers tailored solutions that blend aesthetics with structural integrity.
Chris & Company, Inc., we utilize locally suitable materials like natural limestone, concrete pavers, and brick to ensure each installation meets seasonal climate shifts and soil composition. Our designs are backed by industry best practices, regional knowledge, and a commitment to delivering reliable results. If you reside in Central Illinois and want to convert your outdoor space into something that truly reflects your lifestyle, our hardscaping services offer the perfect foundation.
Services WE OFFER
Patios
Turn your yard into an inviting entertainment space with custom-designed patios built for comfort, beauty, and long-lasting performance. Our patios provide the perfect setting for gatherings, relaxation, and outdoor living.
Pavers
Expertly laid paver surfaces for driveways, patios, and pathways that are attractive, low-maintenance, and engineered for durability. We use premium pavers that resist weathering and shifting, ensuring a lasting finish.
Retaining Walls
Strong, aesthetic retaining walls that provide structure, control erosion, and add architectural interest to sloped areas. Our retaining walls are engineered for both beauty and function, using quality materials that withstand seasonal changes.
Our Hardscaping Services
Patios and Paver Installations
We build durable and elegant patios using brick, flagstone, and interlocking concrete pavers. Each patio is carefully graded for proper drainage, preventing water accumulation during heavy rains. We also offer various colors, patterns, and material choices to match your home’s architecture. Our patios create year-round outdoor living spaces ideal for family gatherings and relaxation.
Retaining Walls
Our retaining walls prevent soil erosion and create leveled garden areas on sloped terrain. We construct walls that resist shifting and cracking using natural stone, concrete blocks, or decorative bricks. Retaining walls also help manage runoff during rainy seasons, protecting foundations and landscapes. Each design is customized to the unique grade and needs of your property.
Outdoor Kitchens
Create a culinary escape right in your backyard. Our designs include built-in countertops, refrigeration options, and lighting for nighttime entertaining. With proper sheltering, these kitchens provide functional outdoor dining even during cooler months. Every kitchen is designed with both function and elegance, adding luxury to your backyard.
Walkways and Pathways
Enhance curb appeal and improve navigation around your property with stone or brick walkways. We ensure each walkway is level, safe, and designed to handle heavy foot traffic. Our pathways can be curved, straight, or patterned, depending on your property’s layout. They also serve as excellent connectors between patios, gardens, and outdoor structures.
Fire Pits and Seating Areas
We install built-in fire pits and seating that encourage outdoor gatherings well into the fall season. We design both wood-burning and gas fire pits, tailored to your safety and style preferences. Permanent seating walls can be integrated for comfortable, low-maintenance gathering spaces. Our fire features create warm, inviting atmospheres perfect for entertaining.
Custom Stonework and Edging
Our finishing touches include decorative borders, steps, and garden edging that seamlessly integrate into your landscape. Custom stonework adds definition and polish to flower beds, walkways, and driveways. We offer various stone and design options that blend naturally with your existing hardscape features.
Benefits of Professional Hardscaping
Professional hardscaping adds structure, balance, and visual interest to your outdoor space. Features like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and stonework create a polished look that instantly boosts curb appeal. A well-designed hardscape can significantly increase your property’s market value, making it a smart long-term investment.
Enhanced Curb Appeal and Property Value
Unlike lawns and gardens, which require frequent mowing, watering, and pruning, hardscaped areas require minimal upkeep. Paved patios, stone pathways, and retaining walls remain attractive year-round with only occasional cleaning or minor repairs, saving you time and ongoing maintenance costs.
Low-Maintenance Outdoor Living
Hardscaping transforms underutilized yard space into functional living areas. You can create outdoor kitchens, seating areas, fire pits, or entertainment spaces that allow you to enjoy your property year-round. Proper hardscape design also ensures efficient traffic flow and accessibility throughout your landscape.
Improved Outdoor Functionality
Professionally installed retaining walls, terraces, and stone borders help manage soil erosion and stabilize sloped areas. Hardscaping can also incorporate effective drainage solutions, preventing water pooling and protecting your home’s foundation from moisture damage.
Erosion and Drainage Control
With a wide range of materials, textures, and design options available, professional hardscaping allows you to customize your outdoor space to match your personal taste and complement your home’s architecture. Whether you prefer rustic natural stone or sleek modern pavers, the design possibilities are nearly endless.
Customized Aesthetic and Design Versatility
Well-constructed walkways, steps, and lighting features make outdoor spaces safer and more accessible for everyone, including children and elderly family members. Professional hardscaping ensures that these features are built to code and with long-term durability in mind.
Increased Safety and Accessibility
Your Foundation for a More Enjoyable Backyard
Investing in hardscaping is more than just upgrading your yard—it creates lasting value and function in your outdoor environment. Whether envisioning a sleek paver patio for your Urbana backyard or a tiered retaining wall for your sloped lawn, hardscaping provides the foundation for a polished, practical, and inviting landscape. Chris & Company, Inc. has earned an excellent reputation by combining design sensibility with structural know-how.
Our team brings decades of hands-on experience, advanced tools, and a deep understanding of the landscape of Central Illinois and surrounding areas such as Lincoln, Taylorville, and Charleston to every project. We consider regional soil conditions, drainage patterns, and seasonal temperature shifts to ensure each installation is built to last. Our goal is to craft visually striking outdoor spaces that are easy to maintain and enjoy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hardscaping?
Hardscaping refers to the use of non-living materials like stone, brick, or concrete in landscaping. It includes patios, retaining walls, walkways, fire pits, and more, adding both structure and function to outdoor spaces. In areas like Champaign and Urbana, hardscaping also helps control erosion and manage seasonal water runoff, making it a practical investment.
How long does a hardscaping project take?
Project timelines vary depending on scope, but most Champaign or Urbana installations take 1 to 3 weeks. Complex features like outdoor kitchens may require more time for permits and customization. Factors like material availability, weather conditions, and site preparation can also influence the project duration.
Is hardscaping suitable for Champaign's weather?
Yes, we design with the local climate in mind. We use materials and methods proven to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and heavy rains, ensuring longevity and performance throughout all seasons in Central Illinois. This is especially important during harsh winters and wet springs common in Mahomet and Savoy.
Can I integrate hardscaping with my existing landscape?
Absolutely. We design hardscape features that complement your current softscape elements, seamlessly blending the new with the existing to create a cohesive and attractive outdoor environment. Our design consultations include a full property assessment to ensure harmony and visual balance.
What materials do you typically use?
We use a variety of materials, including natural stone, concrete pavers, brick, and limestone. Material selection depends on your style preferences, functionality, and the specific conditions of your property. We also recommend materials that best suit Central Illinois's regional soil and climate conditions.
Do I need permits for hardscaping projects?
Some projects—like retaining walls above a certain height or outdoor kitchens with plumbing—may require permits in Champaign or surrounding municipalities. We handle all necessary documentation for compliance. This ensures your project meets local regulations, preventing delays or future legal issues.
How much does hardscaping cost?
Pricing depends on size, materials, and design complexity. A basic patio starts affordably, while more elaborate builds like outdoor kitchens or multi-tiered retaining walls are more expensive. We offer tailored estimates after consultation to fit various budgets without compromising quality.
Are your hardscaping services available year-round?
We offer consultations and design services year-round. However, due to ground conditions and weather in Central Illinois, particularly in cities like Mahomet and Savoy, installation is typically scheduled from spring to late fall. Winter installations are limited due to concerns about frozen ground and material setting.
HAPPY CUSTOMERS!
What our customers say
Chris and his workers are very nice and do a good job. They cleaned my gutters and installed gutter guards for a good price and matched their estimate. They beat others price and were very professional. Highly recommend them!
Jim M.
Chris and the crew did a fantastic job on the remodel of my bathrooms and the replacements of the floors. I would recommend this business.
Laura R.
Very professional! High quality work! Services were top notch! Highly recommend!
Jason B.
Excellent service and very friendly, would recommend.
StepBro C.
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