According to an IBIS World report, in 2019, the landscaping services industry market size in the U.S. is $98.8 billion. 506,000 businesses employ approximately 1,000,000 people. The landscaping services industry in the U.S has, on average, grown 4.4 percent per year between 2014 and 2019. Thanks to high-income homeowners, institutional and commercial customers, and healthy property and housing markets, the industry shows no signs of slowing down. Changing trends, advancements in technology and a new generation of customers have arrived on the landscape scene. There’s a bright future ahead, and it’s got a different look and feel.
Shifting Priorities
The older demographic that used to perform their own lawn maintenance is changing landscapers’ customer base. Older customers are 1) aging in place, requiring more help maintaining their property; 2) transitioning to retirement or assisted living; or 3) downsizing to smaller homes and properties, where they still need help with landscape and garden care.
Meanwhile, millennials are stepping into the role of homeowner. According to Garden Research’s 2018 National Gardening Survey, those between the ages of 18 and 34 now make up 29 percent of all gardening households. On one hand, these young adults represent the growing sector of the population that is cultivating their own vegetables. On the other, many are working multiple jobs to pay the bills. When they need landscaping and lawn-maintenance support, they have an entirely new set of priorities – and requirements – for private and commercial companies to consider. This customer group wants to do business with a company that’s committed to sustainable practices:
- Uses battery powered equipment – fuel-powered mowers and other tools are carbon emitters
- Uses no pesticides or insecticides – pest prevention, weed control and soil enrichment must be done with all organic
- Designs smarter irrigation systems –water conservation is a must
- Knows how to help their customers plant for pollinators and other wildlife
- Runs a paperless operation – digital invoicing; committed to recycling at office headquarters and in the field; operating in accordance with – preferably better than - what’s required by the latest city ‘green’ guidelines.
This generation is concerned about the planet, climate change, what their children’s futures look like. They are well-informed about compost – many make their own – environmentally friendly, natural grasses, xeriscaping, drought-resistant plants, trees and shrubs.
Smart Outdoor Spaces
The advent of the new ‘smart’ homes has transformed the ways we run our busy lives. Younger homeowners are accustomed to adjusting their lights, changing TV channels, lowering the temperature, warming up their car, via their smart phone. As hard as they work outside their home to pay for their lifestyle, this customer wants quality chill time. Their outdoor space needs to be easy and relaxing. For the landscape designer, this means having the ability to control a waterfall or swimming pool, operating outdoor lighting systems, window blinds, or speakers. Even robotic lawn mowers can be directed remotely.
There’s a new generation in town, and the landscaping industry is paying attention. Environmental concerns, younger, smarter customers, and technological advances will all be significant factors in determining what landscaping services look like going forward.
Whatever that future looks like, the pros at www.mowmore.com will be there to make sure your crews are equipped with the best tools. Call us any time: 800-866-9667.