Groundcover Landscaping, a family-owned business renowned
for its exceptional landscaping services in Hamilton,
Cambridge, and surrounding areas, is thrilled to announce
its 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, Groundcover
Landscaping has transformed countless outdoor spaces in the
Waikato region, setting a benchmark in the landscaping
industry.
Lanscaping Team (Photo
supplied)
The company is led by
the husband-and-wife duo Graeme and Michelle Hopkins, who
were both born and raised in the Waikato. Graeme began his
career as a quantity surveyor, while Michelle’s background
is in graphic design. During their OE, Graeme took a job at
London’s renowned Covent Garden Flower Market, where he
discovered his passion for working with plants. This led him
to a landscaping position at a central London garden centre,
a career he continued upon returning to New
Zealand.
Eager to combine their skills and expertise,
Graeme and Michelle decided to start their -own business,
founding Groundcover Landscaping Ltd in 2004. Today, Graeme
focuses on meeting new clients and bringing their
landscaping ideas to life, while Michelle handles the
strategy and planning side of the business. When they’re not
busy transforming garden dreams into reality, you can find
Graeme and Michelle enjoying the outdoors with their two
daughters, Libby and Clara.
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Since its
inception, Groundcover Landscaping has grown from a small
operation to a robust team of 16 dedicated professionals.
Their operational setup, which includes a full office team,
sets them apart from many other local landscaping
businesses, allowing them to deliver unparalleled customer
service and quality.
Reflecting on the
journey, Michelle Hopkins, Co-Founder, stated, “Our
success lies in our commitment to continuous improvement and
genuine care for our clients. We’ve also built long-term
relationships with designers and suppliers, and we’re
proud to be a trusted partner in our clients’ landscaping
journeys.”
Diverse and Inspiring Landscaping
Projects
The Groundcover Landscaping team have the
skills and expertise to carry out a wide range of projects,
including residential garden construction, lifestyle block
landscaping, and comprehensive garden maintenance. Their
work often involves creating bespoke outdoor spaces, such as
beautiful gardens, functional outdoor rooms with pergolas,
innovative hard landscaping with a variety of materials, and
sustainable garden solutions. Each project reflects their
clients’ unique tastes and needs, ensuring every outdoor
space created is functional and aesthetically
pleasing.
Expanding Services for Greater Client
Satisfaction
In November last year, Groundcover
Landscaping acquired a garden maintenance business, further
enhancing their service offering. This strategic move has
positioned them as a one-stop shop for landscaping and
garden care needs in the region.
Graeme Hopkins,
Co-Founder, added, “We saw an opportunity to better serve
our clients by expanding our services. Now, we can offer
comprehensive solutions from design to construction to
maintenance, ensuring our clients’ outdoor spaces are
beautiful and well-kept year-round.”
A Trusted Team
with a Client-Centric Approach
Groundcover
Landscaping’s team consists of six landscapers and six
gardeners, supported by an office and marketing manager, an
estimator, a project manager, and a garden care manager.
This dedicated office team enables them to provide a high
level of service, setting them apart from many other local
businesses that often rely on a smaller, less specialised
workforce.
Groundcover’s team of Registered Master
Landscapers upholds the highest standards of quality and
professionalism. “Our passion for landscaping shines
through in the quality of our work,” remarked Graeme.
“We’re not just delivering a service; we’re creating
lasting outdoor spaces that inspire and delight our
clients.”
Michelle and Graeme have always
prioritised client satisfaction. “We understand the
frustration of working with companies that under-deliver or
over-promise. That’s why we pride ourselves on being good
people who do great work,” Michelle explained. “Our goal
is complete customer satisfaction and a finished product
tailored to each client’s
requirements.”
Groundcover Landscaping takes pride
in its local roots and strong community connections.
“Being born and bred Hamiltonians, we understand the
region, its climate and unique landscaping needs,” said
Michelle. “We love supporting other locally owned
businesses and see ourselves as partners in our clients’
projects, ensuring each design is tailored to their specific
requirements.”
Achievements and
Challenges
Among their many achievements, Michelle
and Graeme highlight moving the business to a dedicated yard
and office space seven years ago and hiring key office roles
to enhance efficiency. They also take pride in outstanding
client reviews and continuously investing in staff training
and business improvements.
Reflecting on their
journey, Graeme noted, “Navigating through challenges like
the GFC and Covid-19 has been tough, but our dedication and
adaptability have seen us through. We’re proud of our
robust hiring process, which ensures we find team members
who fit our values and culture, contributing to the high
standards we set for our work.” The company’s staff
turnover is extremely low, which can be attributed to the
positive work culture and opportunities for career
progression that Michelle and Graeme strive to
instil.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead,
Groundcover Landscaping aims to carry on the growth
they’ve seen over the past twenty years, “We want to
continue building great long-term relationships with
designers and suppliers and be transparent about where we
see the business going in the future,” said Michelle.
“Our staff’s well-being is also crucial, and we strive
to make Groundcover a place where they enjoy coming to work
every
day.”
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