After three years of slow but continuing improvement, architecture and engineering (A&E) firms are healthier now than at any time since the start of the great recession, according to initial findings of the 2013 Architectural and Engineering Study from DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP (DGC), a CPA and business consulting firm specializing in the A&E profession.
This soon-to-be released survey benchmarks financial performance and other key indicators based on input from over 40 architecture and engineering firms headquartered in the greater Boston area. The study, conducted annually, contains some of the most comprehensive financial data available on the A&E industry.
“Most firms are doing better than they did in 2011,” says Chad DaGraca, a partner in DCG’s A&E practice. While the report shows a 2.6% increase in profits, perhaps more significant is the fact that firms also increased hiring, made investments in infrastructure and saw continued growth in the volume of their business. “These are signs of a true recovery,” DaGraca says.
One reason for the improvement is renewed activity in the private sector. Many companies—including a good number of the Fortune 500—have been loosening their purse strings and investing in new buildings and facilities. “Companies are spending money because they have more confidence in the overall direction of the economy,” he says.
At the same time, the residential housing market has stabilized and is improving in certain markets across the country. With more work to be found in the housing sector, firms that were forced to bid on other types of projects are increasingly returning to their normal line of work.
While competition remains stiff, there are clear signs of easing within the industry. The average billing multiple, for example, rose again in 2012, increasing to 3.12 from 3.08 in 2011. “The pricing pressure in the marketplace is loosening up,” DaGraca says. “Most firms would still characterize the competition as significant, but there is certainly more work to be had. This will also shift more and more emphasis towards focusing on best practices in the area of project management; as firms begin to grow again, they will need to ensure their projects are profitable in this competitive environment.”
Likewise, the utilization rate, which is the percentage of time worked on billable projects, rose slightly to 65.3%, putting it above 65% for the first time since the recession.
While the survey focuses on 2012 data, responses indicate that 2013 will likely show continued improvement, DaGraca says. Another indication of continuing industry growth, he says, is the AIA's Architectural Billings Index, which has reported growth in design firm billings for eight of the last nine months. “We are still not back to pre-2008 levels, but we are moving in the right direction, says Dave Sullivan, partner in DGC’s A&E practice.”
As A&E firms gain strength, Sullivan expects to see many firms tackling long-range strategic initiatives such as succession planning, the impact of industry consolidation, and staff development. Staffing, for example, is getting increased attention as firms try to make sure that they have people with the right skill sets in the right positions. Employees are also beginning to look for new opportunities as the job market eases. Turnover has been relatively low over the past two years, but that will change in 2013, so firms need to be prepared for those changes and have a plan in place to attract and retain good people.
“Industry consolidation and succession planning will continue to be among the leading challenges for the industry in 2013”, says Sullivan. “The recession has put more pressure on the demographic shift in firm ownership created as the baby boomer generation heads to retirement. Firm owners need to plan early to execute a successful succession plan and to achieve their longer term ownership goals for the firm. This is not an easy task as many firms will attest to.” The DGC 2013 Architectural and Engineering Study, which will be available this summer, highlights the firm’s expertise and in-depth knowledge of the architecture and engineering professions. DGC experts analyze financial data from prominent firms in the Greater Boston region, focusing on operational performance metrics and identifying emerging trends.
About DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP
DiCicco, Gulman & Company LLP (DGC) is a CPA and business consulting firm specializing in A&E firms, as well as private clients, real estate and commercial business. As an independent member firm of Moore Stephens North America, DGC has access to a global network of technical expertise and best practices, which result in elevated performance standards. For more information please visit www.dgccpa.com or call 781-937-5320.
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2010
Public works complex gets eco-friendly addition
The renovation and expansion of the public works operations facility in Wilmette, Ill., including a 5,000-sf addition that houses administrative and engineering offices, locker rooms, and a lunch room/meeting room, is seeking LEED Gold certification.
| Nov 3, 2010
Sailing center sets course for energy efficiency, sustainability
The Milwaukee (Wis.) Community Sailing Center’s new facility on Lake Michigan counts a geothermal heating and cooling system among its sustainable features. The facility was designed for the nonprofit instructional sailing organization with energy efficiency and low operating costs in mind.
| Nov 3, 2010
Seattle University’s expanded library trying for LEED Gold
Pfeiffer Partners Architects, in collaboration with Mithun Architects, programmed, planned, and designed the $55 million renovation and expansion of Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons at Seattle University. The LEED-Gold-designed facility’s green features include daylighting, sustainable and recycled materials, and a rain garden.
| Nov 3, 2010
Recreation center targets student health, earns LEED Platinum
Not only is the student recreation center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, the hub of student life but its new 54,000-sf addition is also super-green, having recently attained LEED Platinum certification.
| Nov 3, 2010
New church in Connecticut will serve a growing congregation
Tocci Building Companies will start digging next June for the Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, Conn. Designed by Wiles Architects, the 103,000-sf multiuse facility will feature a 900-person worship center with tiered stadium seating, a children’s worship center, a chapel, an auditorium, a gymnasium, educational space, administrative offices, commercial kitchen, and a welcome center with library and lounge.
| Nov 3, 2010
Senior housing will be affordable, sustainable
Horizons at Morgan Hill, a 49-unit affordable senior housing community in Morgan Hill, Calif., was designed by KTGY Group and developed by Urban Housing Communities. The $21.2 million, three-story building will offer 36 one-bed/bath units (773 sf) and 13 two-bed/bath units (1,025 sf) on a 2.6-acre site.
| Nov 3, 2010
Designs complete for new elementary school
SchenkelShultz has completed design of the new 101,270-sf elementary Highlands Elementary School, as well as designs for three existing buildings that will be renovated, in Kissimmee, Fla. The school will provide 48 classrooms for 920 students, a cafeteria, a media center, and a music/art suite with outdoor patio. Three facilities scheduled for renovations total 19,459 sf and include an eight-classroom building that will be used as an exceptional student education center, a older media center that will be used as a multipurpose building, and another building that will be reworked as a parent center, with two meeting rooms for community use. W.G. Mills/Ranger is serving as CM for the $15.1 million project.
| Nov 3, 2010
Chengdu retail center offers a blend of old and new China
The first phase of Pearl River New Town, an 80-acre project in Chengdu, in China’s Wenjiang District, is under way along the banks of the Jiang’an River. Chengdu was at one time a leading center for broadcloth production, and RTKL, which is overseeing the project’s master planning, architecture, branding, and landscape architecture, designed the project’s streets, pedestrian pathways, and bridges to resemble a woven fabric.
| Nov 3, 2010
Rotating atriums give Riyadh’s first Hilton an unusual twist
Goettsch Partners, in collaboration with Omrania & Associates (architect of record) and David Wrenn Interiors (interior designer), is serving as design architect for the five-star, 900-key Hilton Riyadh.
| Nov 3, 2010
Virginia biofuel research center moving along
The Sustainable Energy Technology Center has broken ground in October on the Danville, Va., campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. The 25,000-sf facility will be used to develop enhanced bio-based fuels, and will house research laboratories, support labs, graduate student research space, and faculty offices. Rainwater harvesting, a vegetated roof, low-VOC and recycled materials, photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and water-saving systems, and LED light fixtures will be deployed. Dewberry served as lead architect, with Lord Aeck & Sargent serving as laboratory designer and sustainability consultant. Perigon Engineering consulted on high-bay process labs. New Atlantic Contracting is building the facility.