Landscape Architectural Services

The 5,100 landscape architectural services in the US plan and design the development of land areas related to private homes, businesses, recreational facilities, campuses, parks, recreational facilities, and other open spaces. Firms may also offer urban planning, residential landscaping, project site master planning, and other consulting services.

Dependence on Construction Market and Economy

Demand for landscape architectural services is dependent on construction activity, which is cyclical and influenced by economic conditions.

Mitigating Climate Change

Public and private sector clients are demanding landscape architecture solutions that address climate change.

Sep 8, 2026 - Smart Irrigation Becomes the Norm

• Turf Magazine reports that smart irrigation controllers are becoming essential as customers seek convenient, app-based control and contractors look to improve service efficiency. Modern systems emphasize simple operation, easy installation, modular expansion, weather and flow sensing, automated alerts, and remote troubleshooting. Contractors can use mobile apps to transfer system access, map irrigation zones, diagnose problems before service calls, and adjust watering based on rainfall and local conditions. For lawn and garden equipment manufacturers, growing adoption of smart irrigation could increase demand for connected controllers, sensors, modular components, and other technology-enabled products while encouraging manufacturers to prioritize interoperability and ease of use. Contractors also benefit from carrying fewer controller models, reducing truck inventory, shortening service visits, and offering customers more proactive support.
• The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has updated its Decarbonizing Specifications guide to help landscape architects reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity, and meet the organization's goal of zero-emission projects by 2040. The revised guide adds or updates sections covering playground and sports equipment, exterior maintenance, synthetic surfacing, site furnishings, vegetated roofs, paving, soils, plants, turf, and other specifications. Developed by the ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Committee, the resource outlines seven design principles and 24 specification areas intended to support lower-emission design and construction decisions. The broader climate plan calls for increased carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, touting the economic benefits of eco-friendly spaces, and more equitable climate and biodiversity investments.
• Some landscape architecture firms may see softening demand for new landscaping design projects as home improvement spending eases. Home remodeling spending growth is expected to slow through mid-2027, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) report released in July by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard. Homeowner spending on improvements and repairs is expected to increase by 2.1% to $517 billion in the third quarter of 2026, compared with Q3 2025. In the fourth quarter of 2026, remodeling spending will again rise by 2.1% from Q4 2025 to $520 billion. Spending growth will then slow to 0.7% in the first quarter of 2027, reaching $524 billion. In the second quarter of 2027, year-over-year spending is forecast to rise just 0.5%, dropping to a total of $519 billion. Remodeling, permitting, and building product sales have remained flat recently, and remodeling activity growth is projected to remain sluggish absent a rebound in US home sales.
• Inside Climate News reports that cities worldwide are expanding “sponge city” strategies that combine parks, rain gardens, green roofs, wetlands, porous soils, and engineered stormwater systems to reduce flooding as climate change fuels heavier rainfall and drought. New York, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, and parts of China have used green-gray systems to absorb stormwater, but experts say US efforts remain fragmented and often too small to handle extreme storms. Research also shows that intense rainfall and prolonged drought can limit soil absorption, though vegetated areas still outperform asphalt and concrete while offering benefits such as cleaner waterways, cooler neighborhoods, and carbon storage. For landscape architecture firms, rising demand for flood-resilient urban design could create more work tied to green infrastructure, but projects may require larger-scale planning, better siting, and closer coordination with civil engineers and utilities.

Industry size & Structure

The average landscape architectural service provider operates out of a single location, employs about 7 workers, and generates about $1.2 million annually.

• The landscape architectural services industry consists of about 5,100 firms that employ 33,800 workers and generate $5.8 billion annually.
• The industry is fragmented; the top 50 companies account for 24% of industry revenue. More than half of firms generate less than $1 million annually.
• Stantec is one of the largest architectural firms in the US and offers landscape architectural services. The biggest landscape architectural services companies typically have offices in multiple major metropolitan areas in the US, but none are truly national in scope.
• The largest client groups are private homeowners, architects, and cities/municipalities, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The largest client group for firms with four employees or fewer is private homeowners. Large firms typically serve commercial and government clients.