Scott Byron & Co

What Scott Byron & Co does

Scott Byron & Co. is a full-service luxury landscape architecture, design-build, and concierge maintenance firm founded in 1983 by Scott Byron and Andy Otting, headquartered in Lake Bluff, Illinois. The firm delivers an integrated suite of services — landscape design, construction, masonry, irrigation, outdoor lighting, seasonal floral enhancements, and ongoing maintenance — under one roof, serving primarily high-net-worth residential homeowners across the Chicago, North Shore, and Milwaukee markets, with select commercial, civic, and institutional clients (notably a multi-decade premier design/build partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden from 1984–2012). Operations run through three regional offices (Lake Bluff HQ, Chicago opened 2019, Milwaukee opened 2021) supported by 200+ associates, with the firm's R.A.V.E. service framework (Remarkable Service, Attention to Detail, Vision Realized, Exceeding Expectations) and hand-crafted maintenance philosophy differentiating it from commodity landscapers.

The firm operates a hybrid revenue model combining one-time design and construction project revenue (paid via transparent Design Letters) with recurring maintenance subscriptions (weekly to seasonal cadence) and specialty service streams (irrigation, lighting, masonry, seasonal color). Underlying technology is conventional rather than AI-native: AutoCAD for design (since 2000), 3D rendering (since 2014), Hydrawise WiFi smart irrigation controllers, and an online Dream Board/Client Portal for client engagement. Go-to-market is direct, white-glove enterprise field sales with dedicated project managers, supplemented by architect/builder referral channels and a project gallery/Awards-driven content marketing approach; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The firm has received ILCA awards every year since 2012 and workplace recognition (Chicago and National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For), and remains privately held under founder/management ownership with no disclosed institutional investors.

Name

Scott Byron & Co

Legal name

Scott Byron & Co., Inc.

Website

https://scottbyron.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Scott Byron & Co. is a privately held, full-service luxury landscape architecture and design-build firm founded in 1983, serving high-net-worth residential and select institutional clients across Chicago, the North Shore, and Milwaukee through integrated design, construction, and recurring concierge maintenance services delivered by 200+ associates across three offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Services Coordination & Vendor Management (HSACAIAI)

Keywords

• Luxury landscape design
• Landscape construction services
• Concierge landscape maintenance
• Hardscape masonry services
• Outdoor lighting installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Bluff

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Landscape Design Services: Professional design services with clear agreements (Design Letters) outlining fees, scope of work, and included revisions. Design is a paid professional service requiring expertise, creativity, and time investment.
2. Landscape Construction: One-time project revenue from constructing outdoor environments including patios, pools, outdoor kitchens, water features, gardens, and complete outdoor living spaces. Projects range from mid-tier to large-scale luxury landscapes.
3. Landscape Maintenance Programs: Recurring maintenance contracts providing hands-on, concierge-level care including hand-pruning, lawn management, plant health care, mulching, edging, irrigation oversight, and seasonal color displays. Cadence customized from weekly to seasonal based on client needs.
4. Masonry Services: Stone, brick, and concrete work including walkways, patios, retaining walls, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and water features. Self-performed by in-house artisans with occasional collaboration with trusted masonry partners.
5. Irrigation Systems: Installation of irrigation systems (traditional and smart Hydrawise) plus seasonal service including spring startups, mid-season inspections, and fall winterization. Ongoing maintenance of installed systems.
6. Outdoor Lighting: Custom lighting design and installation including architectural, garden, path, terrace, and water feature illumination. Includes programmable and smart systems with zone-specific controls.
7. Seasonal Color & Property Enhancements: Seasonal container displays, holiday décor, wreaths, garlands, and custom installations. Property improvement services including system upgrades and refreshed planting palettes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Scott Byron & Co. is a full-service high-end landscape firm providing a fully customizable, integrated suite of services for luxury residential properties. Offerings span landscape design (vision-driven plans, master planning, permitting), expert landscape construction (hardscapes, outdoor living spaces, pools, water features), concierge landscape maintenance (hand-pruning, plant health care, seasonal color), masonry (walkways, patios, fireplaces), outdoor lighting design and installation, and irrigation systems (traditional and Hydrawise smart controllers). All services are delivered through a unified concierge experience guided by the proprietary R.A.V.E. philosophy.

Product overview

Scott Byron & Co. is a full-service high-end landscape firm offering a fully customizable, integrated suite of services spanning landscape design, construction, maintenance, masonry, outdoor lighting, irrigation, seasonal floral enhancements, and property improvements. The company operates as a unified service offering rather than a modular software platform, where design, construction, and ongoing maintenance are delivered as an integrated concierge experience guided by the company's R.A.V.E. philosophy (Remarkable Service, Attention to Detail, Vision Realized, Exceeding Expectations). Services are delivered through three regional offices in Lake Bluff, IL (headquarters), Chicago, IL, and Milwaukee, WI, with special projects served nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landscape Design Inspired, thoughtful landscape plans tailored to each property, lifestyle, and long-term vision, including vision-driven design, master planning, surveying, permitting, and sustainable planting solutions. Serves luxury residential homeowners and select commercial/institutional clients.
• Landscape Construction Expert execution that brings extraordinary outdoor environments to life with precision and artistry, including site grading, hardscapes, outdoor living spaces, pools, water features, and planting installation. Serves luxury residential and select commercial projects.
• Concierge Landscape Maintenance Proactive, detail-driven care preserving the beauty, health, and integrity of landscapes season after season, including hand-pruning, lawn management, plant health care, mulching, edging, irrigation oversight, and seasonal color displays. Delivered as recurring contracts with weekly to seasonal cadence for luxury residential estates.
• Masonry Timeless hardscape elements including walkways, patios, retaining walls, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, steps, and water features crafted to elevate beauty, structure, and function. Self-performed by in-house stone, brick, and concrete artisans.
• Outdoor Lighting Layered lighting solutions including architectural, garden, path, terrace, and water feature illumination, plus programmable and smart systems with zone-specific controls. Enhances atmosphere, architecture, safety, and after-dark enjoyment of outdoor spaces.
• Irrigation Smart, efficient water management systems including traditional irrigation, Hydrawise smart WiFi-enabled controllers, drip irrigation, and seasonal service (spring startups, mid-season inspections, fall winterization) to support healthy, thriving landscapes.
• Seasonal Containers & Floral Enhancements Refined seasonal expressions that keep properties fresh, polished, and in tune with the moment through hand-selected, hand-installed seasonal container displays, holiday décor, wreaths, garlands, and custom installations refreshed each season.
• Property Enhancements Thoughtful upgrades and improvements that evolve landscapes with client needs, including renovation, reimagined spaces, integrated system upgrades, and refreshed planting palettes for existing estate properties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Won awards every year since 2012 from ILCA and Midwest Awards for Outdoor Living
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Indian Trail Garden Learning Center (Highland Park)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Food education garden installation supporting local school nutrition and gardening education programs.
• Forrestal Elementary School (North Chicago)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Created Learning Lab outdoor educational space for students, supporting environmental education and community engagement.
• Hyde Park Elementary School (Waukegan)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Community involvement helping to clean and improve school playground, demonstrating corporate social responsibility and community engagement.
• OpenlandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Co-founder Andy Otting serves as board member and chairs the Policy & Community Engagement Committee, continuing to serve on the Executive Committee. Openlands is a regional land conservation organization working to protect natural and open spaces in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• University of Illinois Department of Landscape ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Under Scott Byron and Dick Brickman's leadership, established a practitioner endowment fund to provide resources for visiting instructors at the University of Illinois' Department of Landscape Architecture, supporting education in the landscape architecture field.
• Chicago Botanic GardenflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984Selected as the premier design/build firm for the Chicago Botanic Garden from 1984 to 2012. Created multiple acclaimed gardens including Krasberg Rose Garden, English Walled Garden, English Oak Meadow, Sensory Garden, Dixon Prairie, Grunsfeld Children's Growing Garden, Visitors Center, and Naturalistic Garden (renamed Native Plant Garden in 2002). This partnership represents the company's most significant institutional relationship and showcase of design capabilities.
• Morgante Wilson ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborated with Morgante Wilson Architects on a legacy home project, demonstrating the company's role as a collaborative design-build partner working alongside architects on high-end residential projects.
• Integrity (Home Builders)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with Integrity home builders on collaborative residential projects, working alongside builders to ensure seamless integration of landscape design with new home construction.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hoerr Schaudt: Chicago-based landscape architecture and design firm serving high-end residential, institutional, and public projects across the Midwest. Directly comparable to Scott Byron & Co. in geography, design-build positioning, and premium clientele.
• Christy Webber Landscapes: Chicago-based full-service landscape firm offering design, build, and maintenance to residential and commercial clients in the Chicago metro area. Direct competitor in the same geography and overlapping service lines.
• Topiarius: Chicago-based boutique landscape design, installation, and maintenance firm focused on urban and luxury residential properties. Closely comparable service model and customer base to Scott Byron & Co.
• Mariani Landscape: Lake Bluff, IL-based luxury residential landscape design, build, and maintenance firm serving the North Shore and greater Chicago market. A near-direct peer operating from the same hometown with the same high-end residential focus.
• Acres Group: Chicago-area landscape services firm providing commercial and high-end residential landscape maintenance, design/build, and snow/ice management. Comparable offering in the same regional market.
• HighGrove Partners: Atlanta-based commercial and luxury landscape services firm offering design, installation, and maintenance across the Southeast. Comparable full-service model and premium customer focus, though operating in a different region.

Broad incumbents

• BrightView Holdings: Largest commercial landscape services provider in the U.S., offering design, build, maintenance, and snow/ice services nationally. Larger, publicly listed incumbent with overlapping capabilities though oriented more to commercial customers.
• Yellowstone Landscape: National commercial landscape services firm providing design, installation, and maintenance for large commercial properties. Comparable full-service platform but skews toward commercial versus Scott Byron's luxury residential focus.
• Davey Tree Expert Company: National tree care, landscape, and environmental services firm with residential and commercial offerings. Overlaps with Scott Byron's tree, plant health care, and maintenance services as a broader incumbent.

Others

• SiteOne Landscape Supply: Largest U.S. distributor of landscape supplies including irrigation, lighting, nursery, and hardscape products. Adjacent ecosystem player supplying materials and smart irrigation components used by Scott Byron & Co. and other landscape contractors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scottbyronandco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scott Byron & Co