This Is Why Hiring APL Accredited Designers, Gardeners and Landscapers Offers Great Value For Money

It’s no secret that the garden designers, gardeners and landscapers who are accredited members of the APL are really very good at what they do. But why does that make them better value for money than their competitors?

We’re here to point out that ‘cheap’ and ‘good value for money’ are completely different concepts.

Here’s a reminder of just some the benefits of working with APL members.

All APL members are part of the Government’s Trustmark Scheme. Which means that you can be confident that you, your property and possessions will be treated with respect at all times.
The vetting procedure for APL membership is very thorough, and it is repeated on a yearly basis - just to make sure standards have not slipped.
The Association of Professional Landscapers looks at a Company’s business practices as well as the standards of their work. Members are honest and above board in their dealings with staff, suppliers and HMRC. Their businesses are in rude health so there’s little risk of clients being let down.
The criteria for work standards is incredibly high. The APL demands nothing but the best of their membership. Every Company must demonstrate good working practices a thorough knowledge of each and every skill within their repertoire. All of our garden designers, professional gardeners and landscapers are very good at their jobs and, most importantly, they know their limits
Every APL members understands their responsibility to the environment, the community and the landscape industry as a whole. There are no rogue traders here!
The APL offers a mediation service should clients be unhappy with a member’s work. Thankfully our vetting process means that its very unusual for a homeowner to have cause for complaint when hiring an APL member.
APL Code of Conduct and Complaints Policy.

Ensuring That Garden Designers, Gardeners And Landscapers Are Worth Paying For

We’ve all seen horror stories on TV and Social Media where a householder has effectively been robbed by rogue traders posing as a gardeners and landscapers.

Imagine how you would feel if you paid good money for materials and labour only to be left with a garden that is ugly, unsafe or not fit for purpose. Not many people these days can afford to lose money in that way. That’s what the Association of Professional Landscapers seeks to avoid. Because at the time of writing, the UK Landscaping Industry is unregulated, one of the best ways of protecting yourself against rogue traders is to invest in a professional whose work has been assessed and approved against a rigorous set of credentials.

The APL want every homeowner to feel confident that the landscape professionals they are working with are exactly that - landscape professionals. And yes, working to higher standards and refusing to cut corners or build potentially dangerous structures, may mean that a quote from an APL member is slightly higher than a quote from an inexperienced trader. But you can’t put a price on your safety or peace of mind.

That’s the difference between ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’

Summing Up The Experience Of Hiring A Rogue Trader

One of the APL’s co-founders, landscaping guru Alan Sargent, works as an expert witness for legal disputes over landscaping. He also fancies himself as a bit of a poet. Here’s how Alan describes a householders experience of dealing with a rogue trader.

I KNOW A MAN, WHO KNOWS A MAN

(An ode what I wrote)

I met a man, who knows a man, he knows from down the pub.

He works in Landscape gardening, building drives and stuff.

Get hold of plants and paving, dead cheap just 'cos he can.

He's coming to do my garden. Next Wednesday is the plan.

I get a text on Sunday - it was from the Man.

Get some cash out ready, three grand for the next day.

So he can sort the labour, skip, tools, slabs and van.

He thanked me very kindly. Seemed such a lovely guy.

Wednesday comes and goes, no sign of man or van.

Sorry mate, got held up, delays in getting stock.

Asked again for a new date - what was the current plan?

Let's try again for Monday. We may have better luck.

I get a call on Sunday night. T'was him there is no doubt.

We'll be there, first thing Thursday, everything's in hand.

I need another Monkey, I've paid the last lot out.

If you could see your way clear, I'll collect it in the van.

Now you must think I'm silly, paying out the Man.

But I saw his work on Facebook, filled with rave reviews.

Lots of colour photos, with drawings, scenes and plans.

But now I cannot find him. And now I'm not amused.......

An Alan Sargent poem.

Let’s Talk About Sustainability And The Environment

Landscaping a garden brings a whole host of benefits to the householders’ lifestyle, property values and, with careful garden design, even wildlife and the wider environment. But there can be no denying, that creating landscaping materials, delivering them to site and installing them does have an impact on carbon footprint. So why would you want to do it twice? It’s crucial that the garden is built properly in the first place.

When your garden is designed, built and cared for by garden designers, landscapers and gardeners who are members of the APL it will have a very long lifespan. And, working with APL accredited professionals you can be sure that any waste will be properly disposed of and that materials will be responsibly sourced.

Of course rogue traders can offer cheap prices if they are potentially dumping rubble at the side of the road and building gardens that are neither well built, Waterwise nor wildlife friendly!

Before you give any money to gardeners or landscapers who don’t have professional accreditation, please carry out due diligence to ensure that they are environmentally trustworthy.

Skills and Training

Not every good landscaper will hold an NVQ, a Diploma or some other form of qualification. In fact most will have been apprenticed to an experienced craftsman and learnt their trade ‘on the job’. Which can make it more difficult to choose the right gardeners and landscapers for your project.

However, as well as having their work regularly assessed by industry experts, gardeners and landscapers who are members of the APL are encouraged to keep learning throughout their career. For example, it’s not unusual for an APL landscaper to attend training courses arranged by manufacturers and suppliers of landscaping materials.

Many companies want to ensure that their products are specified, installed and care for properly. And so they support garden designers, gardeners and landscapers with technical advice and training. These courses will not result in a landscaper having letters after their name, but they do help to make sure that the products involved look their best and last as long as possible after installation.

The industry also plays a big part in training. In recent years Landscaping academies have started to emerge. Training the next generation of Designers, Gardeners and Landscapers. Details can be found HERE

The APL also created a set of Construction Code of Practice documents.

You can find these HERE

In Summary

Q: Why does working with APL Accredited garden designers, gardeners and landscapers offer good value for money?

A: Because you can be sure that everyone on the team is trained for, and committed to, providing you with the very best garden makeover experience you could wish for. APL members are polite, helpful and trustworthy people who work hard in your garden to create spaces that will enhance your lifestyle for a very long time.

Useful Links

How do I find a reputable landscaper near me? Read our blog for sensible, easy to follow advice. https://www.landscaper.org.uk/landscaping-guidance/how-do-i-find-a-landscaper-near-me

Everything you need to know about the landscaping process. https://www.landscaper.org.uk/landscaping-guidance/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-landscaping-process