Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Say it's Business as Usual

In spite of the economy, or maybe because of it, area landscape contractors have been busy this summer.

In fact, it's hard to find an excavator for work that some landscapers need done, said Craig Pantel, one of the owners of Touch the Earth Landscape Design Service of Fond du Lac.

"People are spending. It helps drive the economy," he said. "They don't go overboard, but they keep doing things. There's not a lack of business."

New home construction is down, but Pantel said that new lots need to settle and some new homeowners reach the end of their budget by the time they get to the landscaping.

Stuart's Landscaping and Garden Center sets goals at the beginning of each year, and landscape designer Paul Muche said the company is "hitting them."

New building projects may be down a bit, he said, but other areas are up.

"When people are staying home, they tend to sit in the yard. They're spending more time at home, and they tend to invest there," he said. "Landscaping is something you can see and enjoy every day. Landscaping that's done right increases in value. When times seem to get tough, landscaping seems to get stronger."

"Landscaping follows new homes by about two to three years," said Dan Stukenberg of Daniel's Landscaping of Campbellsport. "That market is yet to come."

Outdoor living areas, including patio areas and retaining walls are popular as upgrades or "re-dos" of existing yards, the landscapers said.

"We're doing very good. Busy as ever. We're diversified; hardscape, retaining walls and the planting materials behind them," said Rick Goeden, a landscaper designer for Rademann Stone & Landscaping Co. Inc.

Some landscapers said they are seeing past customers for additional work, including some of their "upscale" and mid-range clientele.

Instead of trying to sell their house and moving, people are staying put and remodeling their homes or adding to their landscape, Goeden said.

Rademann, he said, is also doing "a lot of commercial work."

"The key is to be diversified. We do dig outs start to finish and some light maintenance," Goeden said.

Some people are staying home and investing with landscaping where they'll get a return on their money instead of spending it on gas and vacations, Stukenberg said.

"Landscaping is not in the category of an ATV or car that depreciates. It's not a 'toy' but something that appreciates in value," Stukenberg said.

A $500 tree, he said, will quickly double in value, and property owners will see a return on their investment.

Although his business area usually covers the greater Fond du Lac area as well as counties south of Milwaukee, Stukenberg was recently flown to Boston to consult on a project for a relative of a satisfied customer. He also does work on northern Wisconsin properties.

Daniel's Landscaping is presently working on a granite retaining wall for new construction on Auburn Lake where the property owner tore down a cottage and built a new home, Stukenberg said.

"I go where I'm invited. Variety is the spice of life," Stukenberg said.