2024 GREEN INDUSTRY OUTLOOK – CONTRACTORS sponsored by


What were your business’s two largest expenses? Labor costs


What is the biggest opportunity available to your business in 2024?


The continuous additions of new builds and subdivisions with their need for irrigation systems.


Smart irrigation retrofits.


Demand has increased profit margins.


Which are the top three barriers to growing your business?


Expanding the mainte- nance side. Due to lack of available labor, it is possible for us to bid high and pay employees higher rates.


Continued drought and water scarcity.


Saving up enough money to afford construction on our new property.


Training employees to be more efficient so jobs will proceed more smoothly.


Fewer competitors.


The possibility of taking over a retiring contrac- tor’s clients.


Increased number of service customers and service contracts.


Expanded sales staff. We have more lead op- portunities than we can currently follow up on.


irrigationandlighting.org


Labor availability and retention Economic conditions


Insurance/employee compensation The competitive environment Low profit margins Equipment costs Taxes


Regulatory burdens Supply chain issues


Negative perceptions of industry Drought/water scarcity


33% 23%


19% 19%


13% 11% 8%


6% 6%


As usual, it comes down to hiring and retaining quality employees.


Slowing down of new construction in our region.


Which trends do you expect to impact the growth of your company in the upcoming year?


Smart irrigation technologies


Remote irrigation system management Landscape lighting Outdoor living spaces


Native/low water landscaping Battery-powered equipment Artificial turf installation Other


Organic fertilizer and weed control Water features


5% 5%


33% 24%


21% 20%


16% 13% 9%


Have you contacted your local, state or federal representatives on behalf of irrigation industry issues in the last three years?


54%


Competition from other regions.


The time to get jobs done in a reasonable amount of time and weather conditions.


23% Yes


77% No


November 2023 Irrigation & Lighting 15 72% 43%


Equipment, tools and materials Transportation Insurance Taxes


Subcontractor costs


Rent, leasing or utilities Other


Marketing and advertising Miscellaneous costs


Training and certification Permits and licensing


6%


4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1%


37%


27% 25%


11%


What is the biggest challenge your business faces in 2024?


Labor, materials and product availability.


Staffing field techni- cians.


An aging workforce.


The biggest challenge for my business is having the equipment to get the big jobs completed.


Our biggest challenge is always finding techni- cians with experience.


Getting good leads that lead to big projects.


82%


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