How to Capitalize on the Growing Landscape Market

As you look into your crystal ball for 2012 to see what your customers will face and how their situation affects yours, you can’t ignore the landscape market. For many of you, landscape contractors represent a significant portion of your customer base. As such, here’s a look at how business is shaping up for this important market sector in the coming year.

Maintenance matters

For the third year in a row, landscape contractors had more success with their maintenance-related services than they did with installation. Furthermore, the continuation of relatively flat demand coupled with intense competition among contractors has created a market of clear “winners and losers” as contractors fight to steal market share in order to drive sales.

According to an October survey of Green Industry PRO readers, 45% said new landscape installation business was down this year, compared to only 18% who said maintenance business was down. On the other hand, 31% said new installations were up, while 46% said maintenance was up.

The overall outlook among landscape contractors is rather favorable for 2012. Few expect a reduction in sales volume (regardless of service sector), and roughly half expect to grow sales.

Growth with specialty services

Contractors continue to diversify. According to the survey:

• 71% perform aerating services – 33% of them reported a sales increase, 18% a decrease
• 65% perform hardscaping services – 35% of them reported a sales increase, 34% a decrease
• 51% perform tree care services – 40% of them reported a sales increase, 15% a decrease
• 50% install water features – 22% of them reported a sales increase, 41% a decrease
• 46% install outdoor lighting – 22% of them reported a sales increase, 32% a decrease
• 43% perform pest control services – 35% of them reported a sales increase, 17% a decrease
• 28% perform hydroseeding – 31% of them reported a sales increase, 31% a decrease
• 23% perform holiday decorating – 36% of them reported a sales increase, 21% a decrease
• 13% install/maintain green roofs – 48% of them reported a sales increase, 12% a decrease

Contractors ‘getting a handle’on things

Despite the challenging and often unpredictable business conditions, most landscape contractors are gaining a pretty good handle on what they need to do to remain competitive, and profitable. Just 10% said they will lose money this year. On the other hand, 35% said they’ll earn a profit of at least 10%.

Looking ahead to 2012, 55% of landscape contractors expect to become more profitable, while only 7% plan on making less money. The number of contractors planning to make more money is up 7% from one year ago, while the number planning to make less money is down 7%.

Opportunities abound

While the past three years don’t seem to have shaken the confidence of landscape contractors, they have taught them to be a bit more thrifty and resourceful. Those who’ve survived the carnage and remain profitable are now feeling especially optimistic about their future prospects, along with what they need to do to accomplish their goals.

When it comes to equipment acquisition, one way they might accomplish their goals is through rental, but how much so depends on the type of equipment, and more importantly, a given contractor’s service mix. “There are indications that core maintenance equipment - including mowers, trimmers, backpack blowers, etc. - are high on the priority list for new purchases,” says Gregg Wartgow, editor-in-chief of Green Industry Pro magazine. “The maintenance business remains strong, so equipment is getting worn out at its regular pace. On the other hand, the construction market is still very uncertain - resulting in a bit of hesitation to outlay a bunch of money on an expensive piece of equipment that might not see a great deal of use. That said, rental continues to be a very viable option for contractors who are landing smaller design/build jobs such as backyard living spaces, patios, walkways and so on. Rental is also a great option for maintenance contractors who have a particular client that wants them to sweep their parking lot or trim trees, for instance.”