LAs Busy, but Only 29 Percent of Firms Looking to Hire, Survey Says

The ASLA second quarter national survey was conducted June 19 to July 3, with 304 firms responding regarding billable hours, inquiries and hiring plans. Photo: Sasaki principles, courtesy of ASLA

About half of the firms report average or above inquiries during the same period, but only 29 percent of the firms surveyed plan to hire in the upcoming quarter, down from 38 percent in the previously quarter.
“Landscape architects remain one of the few comparatively bright spots in the construction industry,” said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.

The survey also asked about interest in water efficient design.

Eighty-seven percent of firms reported interest in such design elements. Nearly eight in 10 firms reported interest in native or drought resistant plants (77.7 percent), and close to half of all firms (46.5 percent) reported clients who wanted reduced lawns.

According to the Numbers (compared to the last quarter)

Billable Hours
Well above average – 6.3%
Slightly above average – 20.9%
Right where they usually are, average – 29.5%
Slightly below average – 29.1%
Well below average – 14.2%

Inquires (compared to the last quarter)
Well above average – 3.7%
Slightly above average – 19.9%
Right where they usually are, average – 26.2%
Slightly below average – 33.9%
Well below average – 16.4%

Billable Hours (Compared to the same quarter a year ago)
Higher – 22.7%
About the same – 29.0%
Lower – 47.0%
Don’t know – 1.3%

Inquiries (Compared to the same quarter a year ago)
Higher – 18.3%
About the same – 33.7%
Lower – 46.0%
Don’t know – 2.0%

Do you plan hiring any employees in the upcoming quarter?
Experienced landscape architect – 10.9%
Entry-level landscape architect – 11.3%
Support staff – 8.6%
Intern – 5.0%
Other – 5.3%
Not hiring – 70.9%

Demand for water-saving/energy efficient design elements
Native or drought resistant plants – 77.7%
Drip or other water efficient irrigation – 62.8%
Reduced lawn – 46.5%
Water harvesting – 37.9%
Other – 12.3%
No client interest in these elements – 13%

Demand for water features
Fountains – 54%
Pools – 39.8%
Ponds – 36.3%
Spas – 24.6%
Other – 7.6%
No client interest in these elements – 22.1%