72 | T T Rosa Watson Landscaping experts celebrate 25th The company operates out of a large yard at Templeton, with a nursery nearby that continues to grow. Greenscapes CONTRACTING Starting a landscaping business just two days after being made redundant was the beginning of a successful landscaping company for owner Craig Thomas. His Christchurch-based company, Greenscapes, is celebrating its 25th year, having grown from modest beginnings as a one-man-band to an 18-strong team covering all aspects of landscaping across the Canterbury region. As Registered Master Landscapers, the team offers expert landscaping services and provides comprehensive solutions, from small garden design and backyard landscaping to site works and land preparation. “We do one-hour maintenance jobs to large $750,000 projects,” Craig says. They have also worked on social housing projects, together with commercial landscape projects. The company operates out of a large yard at Templeton, with a nursery nearby that continues to grow. Following a number of extensions over the years, it now covers half an acre. Equipment includes a fleet of vans and utes, together with diggers and tip trucks. Being able to do their own excavation allows them to have complete control over a project, and generally most things are carried out in-house, Craig says. Increasingly, the company is finding work alongside outdoor pool areas, louvred covered areas and outdoor fireplaces, he says. “We do a lot of that in conjunction with other companies.” The team showcased their offerings at last year’s The Star Home Show in Christchurch with an outdoor setting on display that attracted a lot of attention. “People like to see something that’s real.” Between them, Craig, garden consultant Chris Long, and contracts manager Jeremy Sumner, have more than 75 years’ landscaping experience. Kay in the office has been with the company for 20 years. Craig started out with a one-year horticulture course and began his first landscaping business at the age of 19 before moving to Christchurch in 1996. In 2001, while managing two nurseries, he was made redundant, which gave him the push he needed to go out on his own. “We started Greenscapes two days later.” He started out doing predominately lawns and gardens, “and it grew from there”. Staff members work in five teams across construction, soft landscaping and site works, covering an area from Waipara to Rakaia. Craig says the key to the company’s success is its commitment to providing clients with a top service. “Treat them how you want to be treated yourself, and deliver what you say you’re going to deliver on. That’s probably the key things,” he says. “The work we do is to a quality standard. We don’t just throw it together. We’re pretty happy doing quality work rather than cheap and cheerful.” This dedication to quality has led to a number of repeat customers that remain loyal, he says. “That stability gets you through the tough times.” The company’s commitment to excellence was recognised by industry peers in 2021 when it won three silver medals at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards, which followed success at the 2018 awards. Supplying Greenscapes with innovative irrigation solutions. For Everything Landscaping • Landscape design & construction • Plant supply & planting • New Lawns • Irrigation • Excavation 03 349 4363 www.greenscapes.co.nz www.gardenmakers.co.nz Open 7 days Mon-Sat 7.15am-5pm Sun 8am-4pm Phone: 03 341 5688 | 4 Parkhouse Road, Wigram, Christchurch Firewood & landscape supplies Everything Gardening
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