Business Quarterly Survey Reports Positive Economic Trends for Firms
While billable-hour and inquiry trends improve, employment picture remains bleak.

For the first time in 18 months, the majority of landscape architecture firm leaders reported normal or above levels of work compared to the previous quarter, according to the latest ASLA Business Quarterly survey.

For the third quarter of 2009, 51.3 percent of firms reported average or above billings compared to the second quarter of 2009, a significant increase over the 32 percent from last quarter. Additionally, 55.4 percent of firms reported average or above inquiries for the same time frame, up from 32.2 percent last quarter. One in five firms (20.2 percent) reported landing work directly related to stimulus funds.

Despite increased optimism, the job market still remains weak as only 11.8 percent of firms plan to hire in the upcoming quarter, down from 14.3 percent previously and near the all-time low of 11.2 percent from the first quarter of this year.

“Obviously this represents excellent economic progress, but the industry still faces a long road to recovery and tough challenges through at least the rest of this year,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Honorary ASLA. “While there appears some improvement in public and commercial work, the residential market remains a significant problem for landscape architecture firms.”

The related questions and findings:

Compared to the second quarter of 2009, your third quarter 2009 billable hours were:
Significantly higher (10% or more higher) – 4.3%
Slightly higher (between 5% and 10% higher) – 18.8%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 28.2%
Slightly lower (between 5% and 10% lower) – 19.3%
Significantly lower (10% or more lower) – 19.5%

Compared to the second quarter of 2009, your third quarter 2009 inquiries were:
Significantly higher (10% or more higher) – 6.6%
Slightly higher (between 5% and 10% higher) – 20.2%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 28.6%
Slightly lower (between 5% and 10% lower) – 18.8%
Significantly lower (10% or more lower) – 25.7%

Compared to the third quarter in 2008, your third quarter 2009 billable hours were:
Significantly higher (10% or more higher) – 4.3%
Slightly higher (between 5% and 10% higher) – 9.8%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 18.8%
Slightly lower (between 5% and 10% lower) – 13.3%
Significantly lower (10% or more lower) – 53.5%

Compared to the third quarter in 2008, your third quarter 2009 inquiries were:
Significantly higher (10% or more higher) – 4.9%
Slightly higher (between 5% and 10% higher) – 14.0%
About the same (plus or minus 5%) – 18.1%
Slightly lower (between 5% and 10% lower) – 22.5%
Significantly lower (10% or more lower) – 40.4%

Do you plan on hiring any employees in the fourth quarter 2009? (multiple answers)
Experienced landscape architect – 2.1%
Entry-level landscape architect – 2.9%
Intern – 2.4%
Support staff – 2.4%
Other design/architecture/engineering staff – 3.7%
Other staff – 1.8%
Not hiring – 88.2%

Has your market received any stimulus funds and, if so, has your practice benefited?
My markets have not received any funds – 29.4%
My markets have received funds, but my practice, thus far, has not received work as a result – 50.4%
My market has received funds and my practice has work as a result – 20.2%

About the Survey
The ASLA Business Quarterly survey asks quarterly benchmarks on key statistics including billable hours, inquiries, and hiring plans. The Q3 2009 national survey was fielded October 1 through 16, with 381 firm representatives responding.