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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/108761
and problems that the homeowner must deal with and pay for down the road. This challenge is being met with an increased emphasis on educating contractors. ICPI has developed an installer development program that offers a long-term structure for the professional development of concrete paver installers. It also provides installers with a continuing path for advancing installation skills through education. Concrete paver installers begin with the Concrete Paver Installer Certification and then select a residential or commercial technician designation to build knowledge in the use of pavers in a specific market segment. Installers can acquire additional specialized skills by obtaining a specialist designation, such as the PICP Specialist. Each program requires minimum installation experience in the specific application area and the successful completion of an exam. Installers are required to maintain their certification through continuing education.We believe that an educated contractor will be more likely to survive through a slow economy because their work will sustain for the long term, and their customers will refer them to others. Rich Arlington, CSP, CLP, founder and CEO, Rich Arlington & Associates: Dealing with a still struggling economy with customers consistently looking to reduce pricing that they pay for our services.We're an easy industry to target for that. Clients ask us to mow every two weeks instead of every 10 days. People want to cut everything except weed control, and then they realize two years later that they have pest problems. Nobody understands the recourse of their actions. Most contractors have taken this in stride and worked with their clients to find cost reductions and retain the work. Judson Griggs, ASLA, CLP, director of garden development at Lambert's: The biggest challenge has been dealing with flat prices — or in some regions falling prices.This has forced to companies to find ways to become more efficient to be able to reduce costs.This has enabled companies to continue to grow their businesses, remain competitive in their markets and make a good profit.Technology is helping to meet that challenge. Both hardware and software improvements will allow more work to be done in the field.Time can be reported in the field, proposals given to clients on the spot, and changes can be approved immediately. Rich Lahren, landscape division manager, Hebron Brick & Block: Our biggest challenge is finding and keeping skilled employees.We have been experiencing growth in our industry and the North Dakota job market can be competitive, we cannot take things to the next level if we don't have the people. It seems like we take two steps forward and one step back every year with employees. Landscape and Irrigation: How will the recent elections impact industry professionals? Goldenberg: It's a little too early to tell at this point.The administration has a lot of power at the regulatory level and at the White House has the power to issue executive orders.We need to be vigilant for changes that could impact our industry at the local, state, and national levels and on a number of fronts, including in labor, environmental protection, etc. www.landscapeirrigation.com "We're going into the second term with the same political structure and our margins will continue to shrink." — Rich Arlington PLANET has been a big supporter of the H-2B process and has been somewhat successful in helping to provide a permanent fix, which is needed.This will be dependent on Congress creating comprehensive immigration reform. Both parties have seen messages sent through the election results, which will prompt them to be more likely to support immigration reform and make this beneficial to all. Hamlin:The federal electoral landscape didn't see a dramatic shift after the 2012 elections, so we don't expect much change in Congress' priorities.We will continue to monitor changes at the federal agency level, however, specifically at the EPA.With the appointments of a new administrator and permanent administrator for the Office of Water, our focus will remain on the WaterSense program. Changes to the single family new homes labeling program and the final "guidance" regarding the enforcement of the Clean Water Act are due to come out in 2013, making both appointments of great importance to our industry and ones that we are watching very closely. McGrath: U.S.Treasury purchases of U.S. debt at near zero interest rates will continue fueling mortgage refinancing. For some contractors, this will free up funds from residential customers to do home improvements including landscaping and hardscaping. Continued support of stormwater runoff regulations by the current administration will support sales of the permeable pavement to address such regulations. However, we may see tightening OSHA safety regulations promoted by the administration. Immigration reform continues to have little traction in Congress mostly due to more pressing issues such as the unresolved deficit reduction and continuing debate on tax increases versus spending cuts. Arlington: It doesn't matter who got elected.The theory we're operating under with the deficit, the power lobbying groups have… has put small business in the middle.The current federal atmosphere seems to be entitlement. So with unemployment benefits getting extended again this will make people less likely to re-enter the workforce when they can get paid to stay home.With the new health care laws, this will consistently strain capitol out of our industry and make it harder for us to pass along the price increase. Even if you don't have to provide health care, you're still dealing with fees.There's a huge amount of trickle-down effect and it's all going to concentrate on small business.We will all feel the effects of Washington's inability to make smart decisions. Griggs: It seems as though the election has caused many of our clients to step back and assess how four more years of the Obama Landscape and Irrigation 9