Landscape Design and Building Pros Look Back on 2020
Pros share how demand for their services and their project mix have changed, as well as the year’s surprising upsides
Earlier this year, we talked with several landscape design and building pros about how they were handling their businesses during the pandemic. With 2021 now on the horizon, we wanted to see how the situation had changed. We recently checked in with 10 landscape pros (including some from our first article) about how 2020 turned out for their firms.
Eileen Kelly of Dig Your Garden Landscape Design in San Anselmo, California: “I had a steady flow of inquiries and projects prior to the pandemic, and it has continued with an incredible increase, especially during spring and summer. I’ve had to turn away many prospects.”
Andrea Nilsen Morse of Nilsen Landscape Design in Marblehead, Massachusetts: “I have reduced my project load to about half. I am a solo practitioner with a young child in school part time, and that part-time schedule is uncertain as the pandemic ramps back up this winter.”
Shelby Hallman Mailloux of Earth and Sole in Toronto: “We couldn’t operate at the beginning of our spring season due to the lockdown. Our landscaping business runs nine months a year, so missing the first eight weeks was challenging. When we finally got started, we were behind schedule. Wood and plant material were also in high demand because a lot of homeowners were [attempting] DIY projects and restaurants were building street-side patios.”
Catherine Bosler of Bosler Earth Design in Los Angeles: “Business was very good in the early stages of the pandemic, and now it is exceptionally good. Everyone is fixing up their home and landscape for the long haul and their sanity.”
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Andrea Nilsen Morse of Nilsen Landscape Design in Marblehead, Massachusetts: “I have reduced my project load to about half. I am a solo practitioner with a young child in school part time, and that part-time schedule is uncertain as the pandemic ramps back up this winter.”
Shelby Hallman Mailloux of Earth and Sole in Toronto: “We couldn’t operate at the beginning of our spring season due to the lockdown. Our landscaping business runs nine months a year, so missing the first eight weeks was challenging. When we finally got started, we were behind schedule. Wood and plant material were also in high demand because a lot of homeowners were [attempting] DIY projects and restaurants were building street-side patios.”
Catherine Bosler of Bosler Earth Design in Los Angeles: “Business was very good in the early stages of the pandemic, and now it is exceptionally good. Everyone is fixing up their home and landscape for the long haul and their sanity.”
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How the Pandemic Has Affected Projects
Pros also told us about their ability to complete projects now compared with pre-COVID times.
Sifford: “We are able to accomplish everything that we could have accomplished prior to COVID-19. The only issue is supply versus demand. Wholesale nurseries are running very short on specialty items and even some staple perennials.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “Pools are booked almost through to the end of next summer to even start,” due to a shortage of pool contractors and the fact that they are extremely busy.
Bosler: “Projects are all being completed, just slower. We are fully booked with projects into early next year, which we let new potential clients know in advance. We do give preference to interesting projects that we feel we can make special.”
Pros also told us about their ability to complete projects now compared with pre-COVID times.
Sifford: “We are able to accomplish everything that we could have accomplished prior to COVID-19. The only issue is supply versus demand. Wholesale nurseries are running very short on specialty items and even some staple perennials.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “Pools are booked almost through to the end of next summer to even start,” due to a shortage of pool contractors and the fact that they are extremely busy.
Bosler: “Projects are all being completed, just slower. We are fully booked with projects into early next year, which we let new potential clients know in advance. We do give preference to interesting projects that we feel we can make special.”
Drzewiecki: “We continue to take on new clients but are explaining to all new inquiries about how far out we are with our design schedule. Our own schedule was impacted when I came down with COVID-19 and was out sick for three weeks.”
Kelly: “I’m personally booked for a couple months in advance. Some of the projects I designed this summer are on hold, waiting on the landscape contractors to free up, since many are booked in advance as well.”
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Kelly: “I’m personally booked for a couple months in advance. Some of the projects I designed this summer are on hold, waiting on the landscape contractors to free up, since many are booked in advance as well.”
Learn how Houzz Pro can help you better manage your projects
How Landscape Pros Have Adjusted Their Businesses
To adapt to the changing times, some pros launched new services, changed their marketing tactics and hired more staff.
Morse: “Much of what I do is now remote. I do very focused site visits when necessary but attempt to do all design reviews virtually.”
Bosler: “We have hired design help and added project site management to our services. All of my plan presentations and revisions are remote. I share my desktop with the clients, and it is a very effective way to work. Clients love it.”
Sifford: “I’ve hired three new employees in the last several months and still can’t keep up with where we should be with regard to schedule.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “I’ve gotten a little choosier, doing projects that are the whole enchilada instead of little piece jobs. I want the whole design, not just a part of it.”
John Algozzini of KD Landscape in Chicago: “We have embarked on new marketing services and also added a landscape architect to staff this year. Clearly, our view is that we will have a sustained, if not enhanced, volume of business in 2021.”
To adapt to the changing times, some pros launched new services, changed their marketing tactics and hired more staff.
Morse: “Much of what I do is now remote. I do very focused site visits when necessary but attempt to do all design reviews virtually.”
Bosler: “We have hired design help and added project site management to our services. All of my plan presentations and revisions are remote. I share my desktop with the clients, and it is a very effective way to work. Clients love it.”
Sifford: “I’ve hired three new employees in the last several months and still can’t keep up with where we should be with regard to schedule.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “I’ve gotten a little choosier, doing projects that are the whole enchilada instead of little piece jobs. I want the whole design, not just a part of it.”
John Algozzini of KD Landscape in Chicago: “We have embarked on new marketing services and also added a landscape architect to staff this year. Clearly, our view is that we will have a sustained, if not enhanced, volume of business in 2021.”
Project Types That Clients Are Reaching Out About
Some pros are receiving typical outdoor project inquiries, while others report a shift in the types of projects requested.
Sifford: “People are inquiring about the same types of projects, with the exception of more people wanting fire pits. It seems that sitting around a fire, socially distancing and telling stories appeals to folks more than ever. Other than that, we’ll continue to create immersive garden experiences.”
Algozzini: “Inquiries are consistent with the last few years. Here in the Midwest we have seen, and are continuing to see, heavy requests for wood structures — pergolas and pavilions — and at the risk of being corny, I would also say that fire in the backyard is still a hot item.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “Lots of people are using their vacation funds for outdoor remodels. We are doing a lot of outdoor spaces with outdoor kitchens, game rooms, fire features and pools.”
Bosler: “Project inquiries are all over the place, from removing swimming pools and replacing [them] with landscaping to upgrading existing homes and new builds and creating spaces for children in the landscape. Spaces for children to explore nature in their own backyard is a fairly common theme.”
Amy Martin of Amy Martin Landscape Design in Cohasset, Massachusetts: “More swimming pools and focus on outdoor living spaces.”
Kathryn Prideaux of Prideaux Design in Tucson, Arizona: “We are getting a huge amount of inquiries for landscape remodels and new pool construction.”
Some pros are receiving typical outdoor project inquiries, while others report a shift in the types of projects requested.
Sifford: “People are inquiring about the same types of projects, with the exception of more people wanting fire pits. It seems that sitting around a fire, socially distancing and telling stories appeals to folks more than ever. Other than that, we’ll continue to create immersive garden experiences.”
Algozzini: “Inquiries are consistent with the last few years. Here in the Midwest we have seen, and are continuing to see, heavy requests for wood structures — pergolas and pavilions — and at the risk of being corny, I would also say that fire in the backyard is still a hot item.”
Przygoda-Montgomery: “Lots of people are using their vacation funds for outdoor remodels. We are doing a lot of outdoor spaces with outdoor kitchens, game rooms, fire features and pools.”
Bosler: “Project inquiries are all over the place, from removing swimming pools and replacing [them] with landscaping to upgrading existing homes and new builds and creating spaces for children in the landscape. Spaces for children to explore nature in their own backyard is a fairly common theme.”
Amy Martin of Amy Martin Landscape Design in Cohasset, Massachusetts: “More swimming pools and focus on outdoor living spaces.”
Kathryn Prideaux of Prideaux Design in Tucson, Arizona: “We are getting a huge amount of inquiries for landscape remodels and new pool construction.”
Surprising Positive Effects of a Changed World
Despite all the stress and uncertainty of 2020, many landscape pros say that this year has brought surprising benefits to their professional lives.
Morse: “My days are much more productive when I am not on the road all the time. I did a quick analysis of my travel for projects in 2019, and I was on the road two of every three days for new-client meetings, design reviews, site analysis or project management. Now that much of that is remote, I find I get much more done in less time.”
Bosler: “[I’ve realized] the need to be more efficient with online resources, from meetings to calendars and other business efficiency software, where information can travel to all fairly seamlessly. My iPad Pro has become an indispensable tool in my work.”
(If you’re looking for ways to increase efficiency, Houzz Pro project and business management software can help. Houzz Pro keeps all communication, documents and client approvals for each project in one central place that you can refer back to at any time.)
Kelly: “The silver lining for me has been building more connections with my landscape design colleagues through the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). During the early stages of COVID-19, we had [video] meetings covering various industry topics, sharing our experiences and more. Now we have an email group, also through the APLD, to share info, ask questions and get advice.”
Sifford: “So many people are starting to really realize the value that an immersive garden has and the impact that it can have on living the best version of their lives. Tranquility is something that’s hard to buy. It has to be crafted, and we can help with that!”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Despite all the stress and uncertainty of 2020, many landscape pros say that this year has brought surprising benefits to their professional lives.
Morse: “My days are much more productive when I am not on the road all the time. I did a quick analysis of my travel for projects in 2019, and I was on the road two of every three days for new-client meetings, design reviews, site analysis or project management. Now that much of that is remote, I find I get much more done in less time.”
Bosler: “[I’ve realized] the need to be more efficient with online resources, from meetings to calendars and other business efficiency software, where information can travel to all fairly seamlessly. My iPad Pro has become an indispensable tool in my work.”
(If you’re looking for ways to increase efficiency, Houzz Pro project and business management software can help. Houzz Pro keeps all communication, documents and client approvals for each project in one central place that you can refer back to at any time.)
Kelly: “The silver lining for me has been building more connections with my landscape design colleagues through the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). During the early stages of COVID-19, we had [video] meetings covering various industry topics, sharing our experiences and more. Now we have an email group, also through the APLD, to share info, ask questions and get advice.”
Sifford: “So many people are starting to really realize the value that an immersive garden has and the impact that it can have on living the best version of their lives. Tranquility is something that’s hard to buy. It has to be crafted, and we can help with that!”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Despite the anxiety-provoking initial slowdown in business, many landscape design and building pros report that 2020 turned out to be a strong year for business. Others faced challenges at home that made it hard to keep their services going. Read their words below (quotes have been lightly edited for length).
Jay Sifford of Jay Sifford Garden Design in Charlotte, North Carolina: “COVID-19 has helped my business flow after a state-mandated shutdown in midspring. Inquiries are increased due to people spending more time in their frequently less-than-pleasing surroundings. I’m now booking installations for next summer and early fall, and have almost 30 designs on my board to draw.”
James Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio in Cedarburg, Wisconsin: “The number of inquiries and signed clients was a dramatic increase, even over last year, which was a record-breaking year for us.”
Elizabeth Przygoda-Montgomery of Boxhill in Tucson, Arizona: “It has been our most productive year ever. We did have a few projects that were put on hold at the beginning of COVID-19, but all resumed in September.”