Interview with ‘Transform Landsapes’ Tell us a little about the back story of ’Transform Landscapes’ Transform began life as a sole trade business formed by Simon Gray in the 1980s, becoming Ltd in 2001. The business is now run by a team of five directors, with Ben Clutterbuck as MD. Simon is still heavily involved in the business, leading on many landscaping matters with his wealth of experience. Currently, we have over 30 employees, with a client base spread throughout Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex. We are a completed garden service, covering design, build, and maintenance. We also have a fully qualified Arboriculture team, who offer services to private clients, as well as local councils. Our quality of work and excellent service are key corner stones to our business. We hold several industry recognised accreditations/ approved contractors’ statuses including BALI (The British Association of Landscape Industries), APL (Association of Professional Landscapers) and the Arboricultural Association. We are also recognised by TrustMark and Safe Contractor. Do you find most clients have a clear image of what they want to achieve in their outside space or do they sometimes look to you for inspiration? It is a mixed bag. Some clients have a clear image of what they want to achieve, whilst others rely on our knowledge and experience to provide an approach and way forward. Our in-house team offers both traditional hand drawn designs or modern Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and 3D modelling, which we find helps clients visualise the finished garden and feel more involved in the process. Our Design team and Project Manager work with the client throughout the project to ensure the brief is adhered to, and a beautiful garden is created. Equally, we have worked with clients who have a general idea but no detailed plan, so we use our experience, expertise, and knowledge to shape and install a finished landscape that is complementary to the location and fulfils the client’s budget and brief. Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of? It is hard to highlight just one as we have had the privilege to be involved with many amazing projects, that each stands out for different reasons. Our Surrey Hill top garden, which was APL best in category 2022, or an infinity edged swimming pool built out of a slope in the garden, which has been shortlisted for two 2024 APL awards.
What are the most popular types of projects you are asked to undertake at the moment? We become involved in a huge range of projects, which is amazing. Our forte is complete garden build projects and, working with either our own designers or in collaboration with an independent Garden Designer or Landscape Architect, we can completely remodel a garden. These projects are extremely rewarding for us, not only as a business in using all our disciplines, but also for our workforce and, most importantly, our clients. We also manage smaller projects that address single elements in a garden such as fencing, terracing, lawns, or creating a planting area/improve planted borders. These are quick turnaround jobs, being great ‘little wins’ for us, and our clients really appreciate the transformative results. Please summarise why house buyers and developers should choose Transform Landscapes for their project? With a range of staff, we can support new house buyers with all elements of their garden. When a house is purchased, the buyers often only visit a few times often within a single season. We can help our clients understand what is in their garden and how they could use or improve the space. It might start with simply helping to manage the area;mowing, cutting back, trimming hedges. Alternatively, the space may not work for the new owners, and they may require a full garden design and build. Whatever the situation, we can help. For developers and those extending or re-developing the house there are many ways that a good landscaper can help complement building work. Our approach to hard landscape construction, is different to that of a builder. We are garden creators. We will look for ways to bring interest, structure, and shape to a garden, using plants and softer structures which often helps to keep costs lower than using only hard features. Where a builder or architect may suggest retaining walls, a structure they know and understand, we will look to use soil banks and planting to hide level changes and create interest. We understand the elements, soil, and outdoor drainage, in a way that builders may not have had the chance to learn. This allows our projects to withstand the weather and allow the user to enjoy their space all through the year.
www.transformlandscapes.co.uk
