Date of release: 20th July 2009
With many people intending to spend more time outside enjoying the summer sunshine the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) is urging the public to make sure that they employ accredited landscapers to work on their gardens. As an industry that is prone to rogue traders, and at a time when unemployment rates are on the increase, it is all too easy for someone to buy a wheelbarrow and a spade and call themselves a landscaper.
Whilst an amateur trader may initially seem an attractive cheap option the reality is very different and costs will be far higher and not only in financial terms. Lacking the experience and training of a qualified APL landscaper, there will be a compromise of standards, skill, creativity and professionalism. Time and costs often spiral with sites left unsafe as the trader juggles several projects.
CEO of the APL Jason Lock explains, “Unfortunately landscaping is one of those trades that anyone thinks they can turn their hand too – often with disastrous consequences for customers. Landscaping involves many different skills that are acquired over time and through training.”
He adds, “By employing an APL member you can be rest assured that you will receive a high quality landscaping service. Members of the Association are registered with the government endorsed TrustMark Scheme and they are regularly inspected and agree to follow a charter which provides customers with a guarantee of professionalism.”
The APL charter lays out ten quality standards that members must meet. These include at least three years’ experience in landscaping, a minimum of six satisfactory references of work carried out within the last two years, proof of proper training and qualifications in landscaping and agreement to be inspected every year.
The APL offers the following top ten tips to help you choose:-
- Ask around and get recommendations from friends, neighbours, colleagues or family.
- Always get at least two or three written quotes.
- When comparing the quotes, ensure you are comparing like for like and ask for a breakdown to ensure everything you want is covered.
- Ask the landscaper for an example of a recent local job and go and have a look at it before making a decision. Chat to the homeowners to ask if the job was done within budget.
- Make sure the landscaper has adequate public liability insurance to protect your property in case of damage (all APL members must have this as a condition of membership).
- Check who will actually be doing the work. Does the landscaper subcontract?
- Make sure the job has a start and finish time schedule.
- Ensure the landscaper is either working to a design, or that you have supplied them with images of what you want so that you know what the end result will be.
- Before work starts, make sure you have read the terms and conditions. Do they guarantee their work? If not, go elsewhere.
- Consider using an APL member, all of whom must meet strict quality standards. See www.landscaper.org.uk or tel 0118 9303132.
Contacts
Gill Ormrod or Angela Bean
APL Press Office
Tel: 0118 9303132
Email: gill.ormrod@the-hta.org.uk
The Association of Professional Landscapers represents landscapers who meet a required standard of professionalism. Members of the Association are registered with the government endorsed TrustMark Scheme. They are regularly inspected and agree to follow a customer charter with clients. The APL is part of the Horticultural Trades Association which is the trade Association for the UK gardening industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers.
