Landscaping Services NAICS 561730

May 20, 2026 - Amid Rising Costs, Landscape Designs Focus on Durability, Efficiency

• Rising landscaping costs are reshaping the design industry, pushing professionals and homeowners to prioritize efficiency, durability, and restraint, according to The Wall Street Journal. Projects that cost between $3,000 and $7,500 last year are now priced between $4,000 and $9,000, according to the online landscaping platform Yardzen. However, demand remains steady, with 54% of homeowners upgrading outdoor spaces in 2026, per Houzz. Designers are responding by favoring simpler, cohesive plans over elaborate features, emphasizing strong focal elements, repeatable materials, and phased construction to manage budgets. There is also greater reliance on creative sourcing, including secondhand materials, and on plant-forward designs that deliver visual impact without excessive cost. These shifts reflect a broader move toward practical, scalable landscapes that balance aesthetics, function, and long-term value.
• Bloomberg Law reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has adopted stricter I-9 enforcement guidance that eliminates a longstanding grace period for correcting minor paperwork errors, exposing employers to immediate fines ranging from $288 to $2,861 per form. I-9 documents are used to ensure workers are authorized to work in the US. The shift increases scrutiny of electronic verification systems, where audit-trail deficiencies can trigger large-scale penalties affecting hundreds or thousands of records. Immigration attorneys warn that systemic issues could result in fines reaching millions of dollars. For the landscaping industry, which relies heavily on seasonal and foreign labor, the heightened enforcement raises compliance risks, increases operational costs, and poses a threat to workforce stability. Employers are urged to review I-9 processes and technology systems to avoid costly violations as ICE intensifies oversight.

• In a Landscape Management interview with Mia Parker of Powerhouse Consulting Group, Parker said landscaping companies should be cautious about adding new software, as more tools can increase complexity, duplicate data, and training burdens rather than improve efficiency. Warning signs of an ineffective tech stack include excessive manual work, frequent employee complaints, poor system integration, and inconsistent workflows. Parker said companies should first establish clear processes, standard operating procedures, and reliable data practices before adopting new tools. She advised firms to audit current platforms, identify overlaps, and ensure teams use systems consistently. Better planning, including route optimization and workload analysis, can improve productivity without adding staff. As AI tools grow in popularity, Parker urged businesses to focus on solutions that align with clear goals, deliver measurable value, and integrate with existing operations.
• Aspire Software’s 2026 Landscaping Technology Trends Report finds 59% of contractors plan to grow revenue, but 47% now prioritize improving margins, reflecting a shift from expansion to profitability, according to Landscape Management. Contractors relying on manual tools such as spreadsheets report weaker margins, with none exceeding 15%, and many expect growth limits or profit declines. In contrast, users of integrated platforms show stronger financial performance, greater efficiency, and more confidence in scaling. The report highlights that software alone is not enough, as many firms still struggle with scheduling and invoicing. However, deeply integrated systems reduce administrative burden, improve labor efficiency, and provide real-time visibility into job performance. Contractors with streamlined systems save significant time, often 11 to 20 hours weekly, and are more likely to view technology as a competitive advantage.