Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/282929
8 Landscape and Irrigation April 2014 www.landscapeirrigation.com ASLA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SURVEY PRESENTS MIXED RESULTS Business conditions remained stalled for the landscape architecture profession in the fourth quarter of 2013, but may be entering a turnaround, according to the latest Amer- ican Society of Landscape Architects' (ASLA) Business Quarterly survey. Although billable hours and inquiries for new work dipped during the fourth quarter, about half of all firms indicated plans to hire in early 2014 — a sign they are expecting more work. Some 75.7 percent of respondents re- ported stable to improved billable hours, a decline from the third quarter of 2013 (80.6 percent). Another 74.9 percent reported sta- ble to higher inquiries from potential clients for new work, similar to what had been re- ported from the previous quarter (78 per- cent). Year to year, 81.5 percent of respondents indicated fourth-quarter billable hours re- mained about the same or were higher. Ad- ditionally, 81.5 percent claimed steady or increased inquiries for new work compared to Q4 2012. Across the board, the majority of respon- dents (68.4 percent) indicated slightly to sig- nificantly improved business results for 2013, compared to 2012. Of all firms with two or more employees, nearly half (48.5 percent) indicated they plan to hire in the first quarter of 2014. Half of all firms with 50 to 99 employees will be hiring an expe- rienced landscape architect in the first quar- ter of 2014. "The hiring picture is encouraging, a finding that is mirrored in the recent growth in postings to ASLA's job board, JobLink," said Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, execu- tive vice president and CEO of ASLA. "Fur- thermore, year-to-year comparisons also point in the right direction." Some key survey highlights were as fol- lows: Industry News 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 8.6% Slightly higher (5 to 10% higher) – 27.1% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 40.0% Slightly lower (5 to 10% lower) – 12.1% Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 12.1% Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 12.8% Slightly higher (5 to 10% higher) – 26.6% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 35.5% Slightly lower (5 to 10% lower) – 14.2% Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 25.4% Slightly higher (5 to 10% higher) – 36.2% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 19.9% Slightly lower (5 to 10% lower) – 9.1% Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 9.4% Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 24.9% Slightly higher (5 to 10% higher) – 33.5% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 23.1% Slightly lower (5 to 10% lower) – 8.2% Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 10.3% Yes, we'll be hiring an experienced landscape architect – 13.6% Yes, we'll be hiring an entry-level landscape architect – 11.1% Yes, we'll be hiring an intern – 12.8% Yes, we'll be hiring support staff – 10.7% Yes, we'll be hiring other design/architecture/engineering staff – 11.9% Yes, we'll be hiring other staff – 5.3% No, we're not currently hiring – 57.6% Yes, we'll be hiring an experienced landscape architect – 15.5% Yes, we'll be hiring an entry-level landscape architect – 12.6% Yes, we'll be hiring an intern – 14.6% Yes, we'll be hiring support staff – 12.1% Yes, we'll be hiring other design/architecture/engineering staff – 14.1% Yes, we'll be hiring other staff – 6.3% No, we're not currently hiring – 51.5% Significantly better (more than 10 percent) – 33.3% Slightly better (5 to 10% higher) – 35.1% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 15.8% Slightly worse (5 to 10% lower) – 6.8% Significantly worse (more than 10%) – 9.0% About the Survey The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Business Quar- terly survey asks quarterly benchmarks on key statistics including billable hours, inquiries, and hiring plans. The Q4 2012 national survey was fielded January 16 to 31, 2014, with 287 primary firm contacts responding. Compared to the third quarter 2013, your fourth quarter 2013 billable hours were: Compared to the third quarter 2013, your fourth quarter 2013 inquiries for new work were: Year to year, compared to the fourth quarter in 2012, your fourth quarter 2013 billable hours were: Year to year, compared to the fourth quarter in 2012, your fourth quarter 2013 inquiries for new work were: How would you describe business results for 2013 compared to 2012? Do you plan on hiring any employees in the first quarter of 2014 (for those firms with two or more employees)? Do you plan on hiring any employees in the first quarter of 2014 (multiple answers, including sole proprietors)?