Securing project financing remains a problem for residential and commercial clients

Washington, D.C., July 22, 2010 – Business conditions for landscape architects appear to be stabilizing, according to the latest American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Business Quarterly survey. For the second quarter in a row, over half of landscape architecture firms reported steady or above levels of billable hours and inquiries for new work – representing continued improvement from one of the worst years ever recorded for the industry.

Nearly two-thirds (65.4 percent) of firm leaders reported billable hours as steady or higher in the second quarter 2010, an increase from 56.4 percent last quarter and 32 percent this time last year. Similarly, 64.8 percent reported steady or above inquiries for new work – down from 72.2 percent last quarter but significantly higher than the 32.2 percent reported last year. Firms planning to hire decreased slightly from 21.6 percent to 17.3 percent.

“We know many firms still face major challenges, including client groups’ inability to secure financing for projects. Still, the survey findings represent continued progress in a very difficult economy,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA.

The survey also asked about residential and commercial clients’ ability to secure financing for projects compared to last year. Overall, only 5.3 percent of firm leaders responding that financing is easier now compared to 2009. In addition, 28.3 percent reported that financing was about the same, 39.8 percent reported that financing was more difficult and 26.6 percent didn’t know.

Full survey details are available at:
http://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=28120

About the Survey
The ASLA Business Quarterly survey asks quarterly benchmarks on key statistics including billable hours, inquiries and hiring plans. The Q2 2010 national survey was fielded July 1 through 16, with 245 firm representatives responding.

About ASLA
Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 16,000 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.