Just attended a conference hosted by Kichler. More than 100 landscapers and/or outdoor lighting installers gathered in Cleveland to learn more about managing and growing a lighting business.
Beyond the wonderful knowledge passed on by well qualified speakers from across our country, I learned a lot talking with the attendees. Here’s a summery;
Business is Up
Contractors from all regions said they are having a pretty decent year. Customer demand is high. The folks attending tended to be higher end installers running good enterprises. None I spoke with were struggling to win jobs. All said they will make or exceed their goals this year.
I hear a similar story from landscapers in our area. We have good news. People are investing in their properties and more homes are being built. Another interesting piece of news is that the Midwest has been doing better at keeping young people here and even attracting more to move here.
Labor is a Challenge
The one concern heard over and over is the need for dependable people to fill crews. Labor has long been on the list of headaches, now more so than ever. Landscapers often tell me they are passing up jobs because they do not have the people to complete them.
Why when so many American are either unemployed or under-employed does our industry struggle to attractive some good people? I grew up in the Green Industry and love it. So I just don’t get why young people avoid us.
No, the answer eludes me. But it is clear our industry, like all the building trades, will struggle with labor for foreseeable future. More than anything, labor availability will retard the growth potential for many landscapers.
Landscapes are Changing
As always, what people want in and from their landscape evolves and recycles. A few trends have developed.
Low Maintenance
Both young and old are looking for landscapes requiring less work. For many it’s a time issue and for those who pay for maintenance it a cost thing. Yet the demand for a lush attractive landscape has grown. May appear contradictory, but the industry is responding in many unique ways.
It is proven good landscaping increases values for both residential and commercial properties. Wise owners have used landscaping as way to defend their investment through the recession and are now reaping the rewards. So demand for higher quality landscapes will continue as the want for less maintenance time and costs grows.
More Outdoor Living
People want a landscape fostering pleasant outdoor living environments for family and friends. Folks simply want to be outside more. Only natural we are wired to out in nature, not holed up away from her. See this article about the “Gift of Landscaping”.
Landscapers fulfilling owner’s outdoor living desires find themselves in high demand. This is an older trend that shows no sign of slowing. Well done outdoor living areas add considerable value to homes as they are viewed almost as another room. Good news for those doing pavers, walls, grills, and all the accessory stuff like lighting and water gardens.
Water Conservation
Along with low maintenance are desires to be cost reducing and sustainable. Commercial and residential owners get the water conservation thing and want their landscapes to save water.
The product and practices to make irrigation systems water conserving exist now. Coupled with planting practices, owners can save a lot of water which also means money. Owners want the result, now it’s just a matter of more landscapers offering the product and service.
There remains hesitancy among some landscapers. I would suggest getting over it. Upgrading existing irrigation systems and landscapes to save water is good business that a growing number of owners are willing to invest in.
By the way The EPA WaterSense program announced that over 1.1 trillion gallons of water have been saved since inception in 2006. That relates to $21.7 billion so far that consumers can spend somewhere else. Additionally, water purveyors have saved over 146 billion kilowatt hours of electrical cost. Reducing irrigation water usage saves some serious bucks!
Edibles
Another growing trend is the use of vegetable and fruit crops within a landscape. The creative use of food producing plants adds valued fresh produce and enjoyable gardening time into the urban and suburban landscape.
In moderate climates there are now landscapers specializing in “Edibles”. Various trees and perennial plants are being blended in that provide both food and wonderful aesthetics. People like the idea of having edibles without a dedicated garden plot. Vegetable gardens generally do not fit the “towny” landscape but people want fruits and vegetables none the less.
Wrap Up
All in all the Green Industry in our area is healthy and growing. Yes weather has been a challenge this year. A contractor said the other day he thinks he’s lost 5 weeks of work time this year. An ugly winter and rainy summer certainly hasn’t helped. Looking at the long range weather forecasts, we have an extended period of dryer weather coming our way. Let’s hope they are right!
