Decks, Landscaping & Drainage

What We Do

The Work Other Contractors Skip

We round out every project with the finishing touches that make it complete: composite and wood decking, full landscape design, drainage solutions, grading, sod installation, and seasonal cleanups. The work most contractors skip — we do it right.

A great patio doesn't matter much if the yard around it floods every spring. A beautiful outdoor kitchen looks unfinished if the landscaping around it is an afterthought. After 20+ years of building hardscapes, additions, and outdoor living spaces in Sister Lakes, MI and the Palos Heights, IL area, Bob has learned that the details around the project are just as important as the project itself.

That's why we handle the full picture. Bob personally walks your property, identifies drainage issues before they become problems, designs the landscape so it complements the architecture, and uses the right materials for our climate — composite that holds up to Michigan winters, plantings that thrive in Illinois clay, drainage systems that actually work.

Whether it's a new composite deck off the back of the house, a French drain to fix a soggy yard, or a full landscape refresh after a remodel, you get the same direct, honest, on-site-every-day approach Bob brings to every job.

What's Included

Full-Scope Decks, Landscaping & Drainage

Everything you need to finish a property — done by one contractor, on one schedule, with one point of contact.

Composite & Wood Decks

Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Azek) for low-maintenance, decades-long performance — or pressure-treated wood and cedar when you want a classic look. Built to code with proper footings, joist spacing, and railings.

Full Landscape Design

Beds, plantings, mulch, edging, and seasonal color — designed around your hardscape so the whole property looks intentional. We source plants that thrive in our climate, not what's cheap at the wholesaler.

French Drains, Catch Basins & Grading

If water pools in your yard or runs toward your foundation, we fix the root cause — proper grading, French drains, catch basins, and downspout extensions. The work is buried and invisible when we're done. So is the problem.

Sod Installation & Lawn Preparation

Topsoil, grading, and high-quality sod that actually takes root. We prep the soil correctly so you're not patching dead spots a month later. Seed installations available where it makes sense.

Custom Outbuildings & Sheds

Storage sheds, garden buildings, pool houses, and small custom outbuildings — designed and built to match your home, not pre-fab kits dropped on a slab. Real foundations, real framing, real roofing.

Drainage Solutions for Problem Yards

Soggy backyards, basement seepage, washouts on slopes — these are solvable problems if someone takes the time to diagnose them. Bob walks the property, finds the issue, and builds the right fix.

Why Zeiler

Why Homeowners Trust Bob With the Finishing Work

The decking, landscaping, and drainage isn't an afterthought — it's where most projects either come together or fall apart.

One Contractor, One Schedule

You don't have to coordinate a deck builder, a landscaper, a drainage guy, and a sod company. Bob handles all of it — on one schedule, with one written estimate, and one point of contact when something needs to be answered.

Drainage Done Before the Pretty Stuff

Grading and drainage get done first — before the sod, before the plants, before anything that would have to be torn out and redone. Most contractors skip this step. We don't.

Materials That Hold Up Here

Composite decking rated for Michigan winters. Native and adapted plantings that survive Illinois summers. Sod from local growers. We don't ship in materials that look great for one season and fail in the next.

Bob Is On Site, Every Day

Call (708) 549-3180 and you get Bob — not a project manager, not a subcontractor. Every cut, every plant placement, every grade check — Bob is there making sure it's right.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions homeowners ask before hiring us.

What cities do you serve?

Zeiler Construction is based in Sister Lakes, MI and also serves the Palos Heights, IL area. We regularly work in Dowagiac, Niles, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, and Homer Glen. Call (708) 549-3180 to confirm we cover your address.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes — fully licensed for residential and commercial work in both Michigan and Illinois, bonded, and carrying full liability insurance. Bob can email a copy of the certificate before any project starts.

How long does a typical project take?

A paver patio is usually 3-7 working days. An outdoor kitchen is 2-4 weeks. Home additions run 6-12 weeks depending on scope. Bob gives you a realistic schedule in your written estimate and sticks to it.

Do you do free estimates?

Yes — every estimate is free and no-obligation. Bob walks the property with you, talks through what you want, and gives you a detailed written estimate. Call (708) 549-3180 or fill out the contact form.