06 Jan Avoid storm misery with the Association of Professional Landscapers

In light of the recent storms that have hit the UK this week, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) is urging consumers to hire accredited contractors to repair wind damage within their gardens.

With strong and gusty winds across the country causing immense damage to fencing and other garden structures, the need for repairs and installation of new panelling has never been greater.

Last year Consumer Direct received more than 5,700 complaints regarding “rogue traders” and home and garden maintenance work. The APL is calling for consumers to be vigilant when it comes to employing tradesmen who may be offering storm related repairs for a cut price and to double check that the landscaper they are employing has a recognised accreditation.

The Association of Professional Landscapers has been formed to help consumers make that informed choice. Formed in 1995, the APL, which operates as a Specialist Group of the Horticultural Trades Association, represents landscapers who have met a required standard of professionalism. Members of the Association are registered with the government endorsed TrustMark Scheme and are regularly inspected and agree to follow a customer charter with clients. All APL members also hold the appropriate insurance and have traded for a minimum of three years.

APL Committee member Stuart Marler of TVG Landscaping said: “Old fences, weakened by rot and decay are easily damaged or brought down by the high winds recently experienced across much of the country. Employing a landscaper to do repair work on your garden can often be a bit hit and miss with homeowners facing a lottery of companies who promise to carry out the work. Consumers can feel confident that by employing an APL landscaper, the quality of work will remain high at all times and that a professional standard will be met.”

Holland Landscapes has been a member for the APL for over 10 years now.  Alongside this we have won 8 APL national awards including the Supreme Award in 2011 beating the best in the industry. For photos of other award winning gardens we have built take a look at our award winning gardens page in our portfolio