![]() |
![]()
Demand for Landscape Architecture Services
Remains High
Many Firms Hiring in First Quarter 2008
Washington, DC, February 11, 2008 — The majority of
landscape architects remain busy despite trouble in the housing
market, according to a survey by the American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA). More than six in ten firms reported steady
or increased work, and nearly four in ten firms planned to
hire in the upcoming quarter. The survey asked quarterly benchmarks
on key statistics including billable hours, inquiries, and
hiring plans, with 319 firms responding.
As with third quarter of 2007, the fourth quarter saw the
majority of firms staying busy despite larger housing market
troubles. Fifty-nine percent of respondents described their
billable hours as either “well above average”
(six percent), “slightly above average” (25 percent),
or “average” (27 percent). Thirty percent said
their hours were “slightly below average,” and
10 percent said “well below average.” When asked
to compare Q4 2007 with Q4 2006, 61 percent said their hours
were either “higher” (31 percent) or “about
the same” (30 percent); 36 percent said that compared
to 2006 their hours were “lower.”
Firms shared their outlook and concerns in the survey as
well. One small Midwestern firm said its outlook for billable
hours is “improving significantly,” while a midsized
Northeastern firm said it has “just started receiving
much larger commissions.” A large national firm said,
“The housing market had a major effect on our backlog
of work. We are currently developing more relationships with
commercial developers.” Other firms spoke of their experiences
with seasonal construction slowdowns, concerns about inflation
and energy costs effecting profit margins, and drought-related
problems.
New inquiries in Q4 2007 were similarly positive: six percent
reported well above average inquiries, 19 percent reported
slightly above, 31 percent reported average, and 44 percent
reported their inquiries were down this quarter. When asked
to compare Q4 2007 with Q4 2006, 56 percent said that their
new inquiries were either “higher” (19 percent)
or “about the same” (37 percent), while 40 percent
said that compared to 2006 their inquiries were “lower.”
A midsized Southeastern firm summed up its experience: “Given
the state of the economy, we have been surprised about the
seeming strong amount of inquiries.”
The strong job market for landscape architects also remained
steady. Fully 38 percent of firms planned to hire in the first
quarter of 2008, representing little change from those who
planned to hire in the fourth quarter of 2007 (40 percent).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of
landscape architects must grow by 16 percent by 2016 in order
to meet growing demand for services. The survey asked firms
how they are helping to grow the profession, and more than
40 percent reported they actively conduct outreach to school-aged
children to promote careers in landscape architecture. The
theme of National Landscape Architecture month in April will
be “Discover Careers in Landscape Architecture.”
About ASLA
Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association
for landscape architects, representing more than 18,200 members
in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's
mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the
careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our
cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society
use their “ASLA” suffix after their names to denote
membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards
of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture
online at www.asla.org.
###
|
