The Awards Process
Online Entry
All entries should be submitted via the easy-to- use online platform which includes completion of the online entry form, the uploading of your submission pack and payment of the entry fee.
Helpful hint
Be sure to thoroughly read the criteria for the category you are entering and ensure all documentation and images (before, during and after images) are included and uploaded in the correct format.
Judging
Judging of all entries will take place between June and August.
All design and build categories will be allocated a judge who will arrange an appointment to visit your scheme with yourself and the client in attendance. You must ensure you are available to meet with the judge at their convenience. Photographs will be taken, and a report completed.
International, Supplier Exceptional Service and Employer
Excellence categories are judged on submitted material only, no site visits are undertaken. The submission material is given to a judge who will review content, photos 4 and videos and then complete a report.
At the end of August, the judging panel return to Landscape House for a three-day meeting to present their reports. Each entry is presented, discussed, and scrutinised to ensure consensus of the panel.
Winner Announcement
National Award Winners are announced in early September and promoted throughout the industry. All winners are invited to submit additional high-resolution photographs that are then used to promote the winning entry and create the graphics seen on screen at the ceremony.
Ceremony
The National Landscape Awards ceremony is held annually on the first Friday in December at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. Every company shown on screen during the ceremony are already National Award Winners but during the ceremony Principal Award Winners, Special Award Winners and the coveted Grand Award Winner is announced
National Award Winner
A National Award is bestowed upon winners within each category. There may be multiple National Award Winners within each category. National Award Winners are announced in September each year.
Special Award Winner
A Special Award Winner is a discretionary award, selected by the judging panel from amongst that year ’ s National Award Winners and can vary from year to year.
Principal Award Winner
Principal Award Winner is the overall winner within each category. A Principal Award is awarded at the discretion of the judging panel. Please note, not all categories will necessarily have a Principal Award Winner.
Grand Award Winner
The Grand Award Winner is carefully chosen by the judging panel from amongst that year ’ s Principal Award Winners. Only one Grand Award Winner is awarded each year.
Step 1 - Enter
Visit baliawards.co.uk and follow the links to register and start your online entry. The online entry consists of the following:
• Entry questions
Want to collate all the material prior to registering? Simply download the entry questions from the entry platform.
• Digital submission pack
This must contain the following items and must be uploaded as one pdf. document. Each aspect must be evidenced based with appropriate supporting documents. reference to third party accreditations is acceptable, however, the supporting evidence used to gain the accreditation must still be provided.
- In no more than 2,000 words, a description of your products and/or services and a statement of why you think your company should be honoured as demonstrating ‘Exceptional Service’
- Evidence of customer retention
- Evidence of exceeding customer expectations including sample testimonials
- Details of how products reflect the needs of the industry and your customers
- Evidence of how you have used the BALI network to grow your business
- Evidence of involvement in BALI regional and national events
- Evidence of keeping abreast of latest products and technology to inform your customers
- Details of customer specialist training provision where appropriate
- Evidence of exceptional communication from enquiry to delivery and/or completion of project
- Evidence of how your staff are rewarded for delivering exceptional service
- Evidence of how your equipment helps you maintain high standards
- Details of reward/incentive schemes for your customers
- Evidence of working alongside other BALI members to deliver complete service
- Samples of PR about your business, products and services
- Outreach of charitable activities
• Photographs Photos to be included are as follows. These images should be contained within one zip file.
- A minimum of five representative images must be supplied and numbered in order of preference, clearly labelling the top two favourites
These five images must be landscape orientation and a minimum of 300 dpi in either jpeg/tif/png format
- A minimum of one portrait image for use on social media platforms should the company go on to win This image must be portrait orientation and a minimum of 300 dpi in either jpeg/ tif/png format
Step 2 - Judging
Once the final deadline date has passed your submission material is supplied to multiple judges who will review content and photos and following set criteria will complete a report. Your entry will be reviewed by the full judging panel at a deliberation meeting at the end of August 2024.
During this three-day deliberation meeting entries in all categories will be reviewed and winners will be selected and announced the week commencing 2 September 2024 with feedback for each scheme being given at that time.
Step
1 - Enter
Visit baliawards.co.uk and follow the links to register and start your online entry. The online entry consists of the following:
• Entry questions
Want to collate all the material prior to registering? Simply download the entry questions from the entry platform.
• Digital submission pack
This must contain the following items and must be uploaded as one pdf. document. Each aspect must be evidenced based with appropriate supporting documents. reference to third party accreditations are acceptable, however, the supporting evidence used to gain the accreditation must still be provided.
- In no more than 2,000 words, a statement of why you think your company should be honoured as ‘Employer Excellence’
- You should demonstrate how you value your employees and support a work-life balanced ethos within the business. The judges will be looking for a proactive and innovative approach to the provision of skills development, and increasing the quality of the existing workforce, that supports an array of staff training opportunities at all levels
- Company vision, mission and value statements
- Recruitment and induction process
- Employee handbook
- What is your policy on career progression?
- Evidence of employee continued professional development policy
- Training matrix and career progression
- Recognition of service
- Sample job description and performance appraisal
- Numerous testimonials from employees
- A minimum of one employee testimonial per job role within the company
• Photographs
Photos to be included are as follows.
These images should be contained within one zip file.
- A minimum of five representative images must be supplied and numbered in order of preference, clearly labelling the top two favourites
These five images must be landscape orientation and a minimum of 300 dpi in either jpeg/tif/png format
- A minimum of one portrait image for use on social media platforms should the company go on to win
This image must be portrait orientation and a minimum of 300 dpi in either jpeg/tif/ png format
Step 2 - Judging
Once the final deadline date has passed your submission material is supplied to multiple judges who will review content and photos and following set criteria will complete a report. Your entry will be reviewed by the full judging panel at a deliberation meeting at the end of August 2024.
During this three-day deliberation meeting entries in all categories will be reviewed and winners will be selected and announced the week commencing 2 September 2024 with feedback for each scheme being given at that time.
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Domestic Garden Construction
A domestic scheme which may include any or all aspects of landscaping including hard and soft elements – the judges are looking for good design, build and workmanship - quality is the key here! Cost bandings are a guideline for where to enter your scheme.
Please note that category 1F has no cost banding limits and the judging is based purely on soft landscaping regardless of cost. Examples could include skilful ground modelling, precise contouring, sculptured turf features or conventional planting executed to an exemplary standard.
Bandings are excluding VAT
1A Under £50K
1B Between £50K - £100K
1C Between £100K - £250K
1D Between £250K - £750K
1E Over £750K
1F Soft Landscaping
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter categories
1A – 1F
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 – £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 (Additional entries: £245.00 per entry)
First time entrants:
£165.00 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Soft Landscaping Construction (non-domestic)
A scheme which is overwhelmingly soft landscape construction (there may be some hard elements) - examples could include sweeping lawns with supplementary shrub beds punctuated with meandering footpaths, sports pitches or golf courses.
The total construction cost including materials must fit within the following bands.
Banding’ s are excluding VAT
1G Under £500K
1H Over £500K
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter categories 1G – 1H
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 – £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 (Additional entries: £245.00 per entry)
First time entrants:
£165.00 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Hard Landscaping Construction (non-domestic)
A scheme which is overwhelmingly hard landscape construction (there may be some soft elements) – examples could include large hard paved terraces or public realm interspersed with tree or shrub planting, hard sports grounds e.g. tennis courts.
The total construction cost including materials must fit within the following bands.
Bandings are excluding VAT
1G Under £500K
1H Over £500K
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter categories 1I – 1J
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award.
No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*: 5 May 2025 – £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline: 9 June 2025 - £275 (Additional entries: £245.00 per entry)
First time entrants: £165.00 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Community & Schools Development
A scheme either built or developed for a school or community area which may contain both hard and/or soft landscaping. There is no cost banding for this category. Judges are looking for innovative use of materials/effective use of space and a good fit for the project community.
Examples could include a school playground, healing garden, sensory garden or community space.
1K Community & Schools Development
Criteria
Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter category 1K
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Regeneration Scheme
A scheme which transforms derelict or neglected land into a valuable landscape.
Examples could include redesigning and/or redeveloping a natural site, park restoration or land rehabilitation for nature conservation and can form part of a larger regeneration scheme. To enable the judges to appreciate the tangible changes, before and after evidence must be submitted.
Bandings are excluding VAT
1L Under £500K
1M Over £500K
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter category 1L – 1M
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award.
No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Grounds Maintenance
A scheme that demonstrates skilled stewardship from the contractor, as well as horticultural excellence, a proactive approach to development and establishment and demonstrates examples taken to lower carbon emissions (e.g. electric equipment, rainwater harvesting etc.).
The contract must be held for a minimum of two years from the date of submission and are judged on maintenance, not on contract value.
Bandings are excluding VAT
1N Free Public Access (Parks, golf courses etc.)
1O Limited Public Access (Business parks, military bases etc.)
1P Private (Schools, private contracts etc.)
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter category 1N – 1P
• The contract must be held for a minimum of two years
• Maintenance schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last three years may not be entered
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Accredited Contractor & Accredited Designer Joint Submission
Recognition of a joint working relationship between an Accredited Designer and Contractor.
This joint submission must have been designed by an Accredited Designer and built by an Accredited Contractor or Group member.
The design will be assessed, followed by a site visit. Judges are looking for strong design and implementation NOT the overall value. Design and implementation could be made by one company, as long as the designer is MBALI in their own right.
1Q Accredited Contractor & Accredited Designer Joint Submission
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor, Group and Accredited Designer members can enter category 1Q
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award.
No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £260 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Interior Landscape - Maintenance
Maintenance
Regular contracts for the maintenance of interior planting schemes either on a large or small scale, showcasing the horticultural knowledge and skill set of your staff.
1S Maintenance
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria - Maintenance
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter category 1S
• The contract must be held for a minimum of two years
• Maintenance schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last three years may not be entered
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines:
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £260 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Exterior Living Wall Installations
Specialist niche category for the design and implementation for the growing market of living walls.
(For maintenance element see additional categories 1N, 1O and 1P. For interior living wall installations and maintenance see categories 1R and 1S.)
Banding’s are excluding VAT
1V Exterior Living Wall Installations
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter categories 1V
• Construction schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and the 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Design Excellence
Recognising Accredited Designers who not only satisfy but surpass the design brief of the client.
Judging visits will take place for this category. The total construction cost including the design fee cost should be within the following cost bandings.
Banding’s are excluding VAT
2A Overall Scheme Under £50K
2B Overall Scheme Between £50K - £100K
2C Overall Scheme Over £100K
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Designer members can enter categories
2A – 2C
• Design schemes that have won a National Landscape Award within the last two years may not be entered
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and 1 June 2025
• Only complete contracts should be submitted for an Award. No partial schemes of larger schemes will be accepted, unless part of a clearly defined contracted phase of works
Entry fees and deadlines
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Supplier and Training Provider Members
Supplier Exceptional Service
Exceptional service demonstrated by an Accredited Supplier or Training Provider member in terms of; technical support, exceeding customer expectations, proactive involvement in regional and national events, customer support and guidance, efficiency of service, product range and development, good complaint resolution, flexibility in supporting budget constraints, flexibility with delivery issues.
This is a paperwork submission only. No site visits are undertaken.
4A Supplier Exceptional Service
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Supplier and Training Provider members can enter category 4A
Entry fees and deadlines
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 June 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245.00 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Open to Accredited Contractor and Group Members
Repurposed Development
A category dedicated to the transformation of existing real estate to meet the evolving needs of modern communities. The judges are looking for exceptional landscape design that plays a pivotal role in repurposing commercial, retail, or residential developments.
Entries must showcase high-quality workmanship and demonstrate how the landscape contributes significantly to the revitalisation of the space.
Criteria
• Only Accredited Contractor and Group members can enter.
• The entered scheme must have achieved practical completion between 1 June 2024 and 1 June 2025. If part of a long-term project, this must be clearly stated.
• Partial phases of larger schemes will be accepted but must be supported with a redline drawing clearly defining the boundaries of the submission.
• The scheme may include hard, soft, or a combination of both landscape elements.
• The remodeled landscape must provide a significant benefit to the overall repurposing of the development.
• There is no restriction on the project cost
* We must receive both the online entry and digital submission pack by the respective dates. Should both not be received by the early bird deadline then the full fee will be charged.
Entry fees and deadlines
Early Bird Discount Deadline*:
5 May 2025 - £235 per entry (Additional entries: £210 per entry)
Final Deadline:
9 July 2025 - £275 per entry (Additional Entries: £245 per entry)
First Time Entrant Deadline: £165 per entry
Special Awards
Special Awards are discretionary and are selected by the judging panel from amongst the category Award Winners and can vary from year to year.
These could include but are not limited to:
• Outstanding Charitable Contribution
• Best First-Time Entrant
• Best Newcomer to BALI
• Best Design & Build
• Environmental Innovation
• Sensitive Land Restoration
• Best Use of Technology
Grand Award
The Grand Award is carefully chosen by the judging panel from the Principal Award Winners.
A Principal winner from a UK National scheme that is deemed to be ‘perfect in its realisation’ , utilising the very highest quality workmanship with clean finish, creative/sustainable use of materials and demonstrates excellence in project management, could result in the prestigious Grand Award.
