How Do I Find A Landscaper Near Me?
Finding a landscaper, Designer or Professional Gardener amongst the myriad of companies and platforms out there to search is always tricky. For many this is a brand new experience, you want to get it right. Read below to get some tips.
I need some work done in my garden, but how do I find a reputable landscaper near me? It’s a question that the team at the Association of Professional Landscapers is asked several hundred times at every single gardening show they attend. So here, in one short sentence, is our advice.
Use the APL Member’s Directory to find a trustworthy, skilled landscaper in your area.
Are there other methods?
Other methods of finding a landscaper include:
- Local word of mouth recommendation
- Online and printed adverts
- Social Media
- Internet Searches
- Spotting sign written vehicles in my area
- The Government Trustmark website. https://www.trustmark.org.uk
- Using the APL Website. https://www.landscaper.org.uk/
If I wanted to find a landscaper near me, I’d have several options open to me. Each has it’s plus points and each has its negatives.
The chief concern would of course, be safety. Is this person able to plan and carry out the work safely? Will the finished garden be fit for purpose? And most importantly, can this person/company be trusted with my money? There have already been too many victims of rogue traders - it’s important to protect yourself by researching tradespeople with the utmost of care.
Word Of Mouth Recommendation
It’s always great to share the joy with friends, family and colleagues who are pleased with their own garden makeover. But here’s the thing about word of mouth recommendation. Whilst it’s good to know if a landscaper is personable, runs a tidy site and gets on well with your neighbours - how can you tell if their advocates know enough about landscaping to recognise excellent work when they see it?
Very often, a freshly landscaped garden will look good for the first few months. It’s only later that the flaws reveal themselves. Wobbly slabs, dodgy drainage or a sinking driveway tend to sometimes appear after bit of wear and tear. When you are investing in a garden makeover, you need to feel sure that the work will last not just for years, but for decades.
Online and printed adverts
Whether it’s a sponsored social media post, a local paper or a flyer through your door, there’s no doubt that advertising is a good way for landscapers to reach potential clients. However, if you are that potential client, you should always do a bit of research before contacting someone via an advert.
Look for a website, online reviews, a portfolio of work and listings on directories such as Trustmark or the Association of Professional Landscapers.
Social Media
Love it or hate it, social media gives you an opportunity to find out more about landscapers working in your area. Type ‘landscaper near me’ into the search box and see who pops up. Do you like the type of work they are showing you? How about the tone of voice? Are there any reviews or recommendations to tell you more about the company?
Not all landscapers are great at updating their social media on a regular basis - so if the profile seems a bit sparse, that’s no reason to take a company off your shortlist. Just switch your attention to their website instead.
Trusted Directory Sites
When you type ‘landscaper near me’ into any search engine, you’ll likely be shown dozens of results. You can spend all day browsing and still not feel any more confident in your selection.
However, when you use the APL Directory of Landscapers you can be absolutely certain that the Companies that pop up in the search results are 100% bone fide, trustworthy and skilled landscapers. No rogue traders, no well intentioned but incompetent tradespeople, and nobody who would dream of ripping you off.
The vetting process for membership of the APL is incredibly rigorous and strict. It covers workmanship, safety and solvency. Which means that you are protected from all angles. And in the very rare event that a client is unhappy with their new garden, the APL complaints procedure is second to none.
Click here for more reasons to choose an APL member for your landscaping project. https://www.landscaper.org.uk/find-a-landscaping-professional
Discover if a landscaper is an APL member. https://www.landscaper.org.uk
Read our step by step guide to choosing a landscaper. https://www.landscaper.org.uk/consumer-information/how-to-choose-a-landscaper