In 1980, Michel Martel—graduate of the first-ever landscaping cohort at ITAQ—founded Michel Martel Paysagiste from his home in Sainte-Julie. With two wheelbarrows, a shovel, and a rake, he began creating outdoor spaces for local residents. As demand grew, he moved into commercial premises in 1987, and by 1994, he built his own commercial building to keep up with the expanding market.

His son Yannick, now the current owner, began working for the family business at age 12 or 13—never imagining it would become his career. But in 1992, after spending a summer working full-time while in CEGEP, he chose to follow in his father's footsteps. Twenty-five years after his father, Yannick earned his own landscaping diploma from ITAQ.

Experts in Creative Landscaping

Today, Martel Paysagiste employs 40 people—including the founder, who still advises clients. The company focuses on designing and building landscapes throughout the South Shore of Montreal, including Sainte-Julie, Boucherville, Saint-Bruno, Longueuil, and Saint-Lambert. At any given time, they manage around ten worksites and complete over 100 projects annually, supported by seven landscaping crews of four workers each, and a dedicated excavation team.

One of their specialties is landscaping around in-ground pools, with 25 to 30 such projects completed each year. Martel Paysagiste was even a pioneer in backyard design, being the first to build retaining walls using mega steps—large, slim, and extremely durable blocks. Their team is never short on ideas and isn’t afraid to innovate and reinvent itself.

The same goes for their after-sales service. The team is quick to repair any damage caused by weather and is committed to delivering a worry-free, seamless client experience. Their priority is to ensure everything is done right—on time, with no surprises, and without compromising on quality.

Quality That Speaks for Itself

Martel Paysagiste’s craftsmanship has earned widespread recognition. The company has won over 35 awards at the provincial APPQ competition, including the prestigious Milan Havelin Award in 2002. Within the Quercus Maître Paysagiste awards, Martel has earned:

• Maître Paysagiste of the Year – 3 times
• First place for customer service quality – 5 times
• Second place for customer service quality – 4 times

Certified Maître Paysagiste since 2002—and a founding member of the certification—Yannick Martel considers it “a symbol of quality and exceptional after-sales service. It gives clients confidence and peace of mind, knowing their project will be executed to the highest standards.”

Values That Matter

At Martel Paysagiste, good humor and positivity are top priorities—ensuring that both employees and clients enjoy the process. The company goes out of its way to foster a strong and supportive team spirit, regularly organizing activities such as food truck events, ski trips, and go-karting. Employee accomplishments are proudly celebrated, contributing to a happy and motivated workplace—which clients also appreciate thanks to the team's commitment to transparency and quality.

Collaboration is at the heart of the company’s culture. Every Friday, the sales team meets to share ideas, and a suggestion board encourages employees to post creative concepts. There’s even an innovation bonus if an idea is successfully implemented in a client project.

It’s no surprise that the company has grown from $100,000 in annual revenue 43 years ago to over $6 million today. For the team at Martel Paysagiste, creating beautiful spaces that make people happy is pure gold.