Heading into spring, property managers are looking at ways to improve their properties, from updating entrance landscapes to planting annuals. With the past few years’ supply chain issues and busy contractor schedules, you might wonder what’s in store for the 2023 growing season and what’s the latest landscape market update.
Are prices for landscape materials going up? Will you have to wait long for materials like mulch, hardscape pavers and plants? Are landscape contractors backed up – and can you get the work done on your commercial property when you want?
These are all good questions. The answers depend on what company you ask and how they are positioned in the market, their relationships with vendors, and their labor force and availability of talent to complete landscape projects on your property.
Landscape Supply Chain – Loosening Up
During the height of the pandemic, supply chain backup caused a slowdown for many landscape projects because contractors had to wait much longer to receive materials. For instance, hardscape materials might have taken six to eight weeks to arrive when a typical wait time would be a week or less. This was frustrating for customers and contractors.
For 2023, the supply chain woes we experienced are loosening up, and reputable landscape firms with longtime vendor relationships are fulfilling customers’ demands. At Neave Landscape Management, we work closely with our suppliers and vendors, and they partner with us to be sure we can access necessary materials to complete landscape projects of all kinds on time and on budget. If we see there will be a longer than usual wait for a material, we might discuss alternatives with clients. There is always a solution.
Landscape Project Pricing for 2023
When the supply chain was lagging, we saw increased pricing for landscape materials across the board. This did not impact demand for outdoor living projects and commercial property site enhancements because the value of spending time outdoors also increased exponentially. Now more than ever, giving those who live, work, play, shop and dine on our properties that outdoor experience is important.
When you partner with a landscape design/build and maintenance company that maintains strong vendor relationships, that also can impact pricing in a positive way for clients. Of course, prices increase gradually over time – it’s the nature of the economy and inflation. But a professional landscape firm will understand your budget, project scope and long-term goals for the property and create a plan to achieve your goals.
Again, it’s all about relationships. It pays to work with a landscape professional with a dependable stable of vendors who also understands your business needs.
Planning Ahead for Landscape Projects
The market size of the U.S. landscaping industry has grown 8.1% per year between 2018 and 2023. Based on the latest landscape market update there’s a high demand, and as in most industries, there’s a labor shortage. These two factors create a backlog for landscaping companies, meaning clients have to plan for landscaping projects. Some contractors were booked six months out and longer in the past couple of years.
Yes, you should plan ahead for landscape projects, so they are scheduled during a timeframe that suits your goals. That said, when you work with a landscape contractor that attracts professionals because of its reputation and keeps team members because of training, benefits and career opportunities, the labor is there to get work done on time. Also, we work closely with our commercial clients and property managers to discuss upcoming projects for the year so we can get those scheduled and satisfy their needs.
Get Set for the 2023 Growing Season
At Neave Outdoor Solutions, we take the time to walk your property with you, discuss your vision and identify areas that could be improved. We listen. And this is the foundation of a successful partnership.
We look forward to getting to know your property. If you’re in the Hudson Valley, call us at 845-463-0592. If you’re in Westchester County, call 914-271-7996; from Connecticut, dial 203-212-4800; from New Jersey, dial 201-591-4570. Or, fill out our simple web form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.