Rogue Traders vs Reputable Landscapers
APL highlights the critical difference a professional landscaper can make
22 June 2026
With around 2.3 million people in the UK paying for their private garden to be landscaped each year, it’s not surprising that some of those homeowners end up becoming victims of rogue traders or unqualified workpeople.
To help the public identify the critical differences between a bad and a well-constructed garden, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) – a specialist group of landscaper, designer and professional gardener members from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) - has been demonstrating the value of choosing an APL-accredited landscaper at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in Birmingham (18 – 21 June 2026).
The APL Landscape & Design Clinic Garden was designed by APL General Manager, Phil Tremayne. Split in half, one side demonstrates the common pitfalls of hiring unverified contractors, whilst the other side shows the impact of professional design, quality workmanship and expert plant choices.
At this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live, visitors were able to explore the space and speak to designers and landscapers for free advice on creating beautiful, long-lasting gardens and how to avoid common, costly mistakes.
Phil Tremayne, APL General Manager, said:
"We get contacted by the public after they’ve had work completed by either inexperienced or unqualified landscapers. These are often cheap and cheerful builds that may look good when they’re first constructed but won't last and are bound to fail in just a few years.
“This doesn’t happen with an APL-accredited professional, and we wanted to show the public that our members meet rigorous standards and produce quality work. The feature garden at the show included poorly laid decking, artificial grass, little planting, and paving that is not fit for purpose. The good quality side of the garden was built to British standards, going through the complete stages of proper planning, assessment and good planting to complement the hard landscaping”.
Choosing an APL-accredited professional for a project offers numerous benefits, ensuring quality and professionalism. As the only landscaping scheme operator endorsed by TrustMark, a government-backed initiative, APL members offer the gardening public an added layer of reassurance. The vetting procedure for APL membership is rigorous, and because it’s conducted annually, it guarantees that standards remain consistently high.
The UK Landscaping Industry is largely unregulated, so one of the best ways of protecting against rogue traders is to invest in a professional whose work has been assessed and approved against a rigorous set of credentials. The APL is further building on this by adopting a new British Standard for paving, pathways, and patios. The Standard is a clear benchmark for fit-for-purpose installation and construction, helping to define best practice across the landscaping sector.
David Strows, APL Committee Chairman, commented:
“One of my most rewarding experiences as chairman of the APL committee is witnessing our members continually elevate standards of quality within our industry. During my time in the APL, I’ve observed our members at the forefront of defining ‘what excellent looks like’ in garden landscaping and design.
“Professionally landscaped gardens lead the way in shaping trends and styles that filter down into the 22 million gardens across the UK, providing inspiration, as well as health and environmental benefits to society, so it’s great to see the APL taking steps to inform the public about these important matters and, more importantly, keeping them safe from unscrupulous tradespeople that still operate across the country.”
To learn more about the landscaping process and why choosing an APL-accredited landscaper offers great value for money, visit: https://www.landscaper.org.uk/landscaping-guidance
Banner Photo Credit: Hort Week