4Q ASLA Survey

The ASLA's 2012 fourth quarter (Q4 2012) national survey was fielded January 14-25, 2013, with 338 primary firm contacts responding www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=38394.

The Q4 2012 business survey reports 66.5 percent of respondents say they had stable to improved billable hours, a decline from the 71.5 percent number from 3Q 2012. Seventy-four percent reported stable to higher inquiries from potential clients for new work, almost exactly the same number (74.2 percent) as the previous quarter.

Year to year, 72.1 percent of respondents indicated Q4 2012 billable hours remained about the same or were higher; 80.2 percent claimed steady or increased billable hours compared to Q4 2011.

Overall, more than three quarters of respondents (76.4 percent) indicated stable to improved business results for 2012, compared to 2011. Of firms with 10 or more employees, 45.6 percent expect to hire in Q1 2013, about the same as the previous quarter (42.4 percent). Nearly one quarter (24.8 percent) of firms with two or more employees will be hiring a landscape architect next quarter, either entry-level or experienced.

"Many landscape architecture firms experienced a positive momentum this year, and this reflects well on the profession's resolve and flexibility," says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. "We are not out of the woods yet, of course, but we are optimistic that conditions will continue to improve in the months ahead."

Key Survey Highlights

Compared to the 3Q 2012, your 4Q 2012 billable hours were:
Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 10.0%
Slightly higher (5-10% higher) – 25.2%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 31.3%
Slightly lower (5-10% lower) – 21.0%
Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 12.5 %

Compared to the 3Q 2012, your 4Q 2012 inquiries for new work were:Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 10.9% Slightly higher (5-10% higher) – 31.2% About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 32.1% Slightly lower (5-10% lower) – 16.4% Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 9.4%

Year to year, compared to 4Q 2011, your 4Q 2012 billable hours were:
Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 22.0%
Slightly higher (5-10% higher) – 29.4%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 20.7%
Slightly lower (5-10% lower) – 13.9%
Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 13.9%

Year to year, compared to 4Q 2011, your 4Q 2012 inquiries for new work were:
Significantly higher (more than 10%) – 19.9%
Slightly higher (5-10% higher) – 31.4%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 28.9%
Slightly lower (5-10% lower) – 10.6%
Significantly lower (more than 10%) – 9.3%

Do you plan on hiring any employees in 1Q 2013 (multiple answers, including sole proprietors)?
Yes, will hire an experienced landscape architect – 7.6%
Yes, will hire an entry-level landscape architect – 14.1%
Yes, will hire an intern – 8.3%
Yes, will hire support staff – 6.5%
Yes, will hire other design/architecture/engineering staff – 9.4%
Yes, will hire other staff – 4.0%
No, not currently hiring – 63.0%

How would you describe business results for 2012 compared to 2011?
Significantly better (more than 10 percent) – 27.0%
Slightly better (5-10% higher) – 29.8%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 19.6%
Slightly worse (5-10% lower) – 15.0%
Significantly worse (more than 10%) – 8.6%