September 2015: Editorial advisory board

Licensing in the landscape industry: Are you for or against?

Landscape Professionals

Richard Bare

Arbor-Nomics Turf, Norcross, Ga.

“I would lean in favor of licensing because it might eliminate or prevent poor operators from entering our industry. That being said, I do hate the idea of more government in our lives, but this would be a good move.”

Adam Linnemann

Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, Columbia, Ill.

“It brings credibility and professionalism to the industry, so I am for it.”

Greg Winchel

Winchel Irrigation, Grandville, Mich.

“I’m for licensing if there is a defined way a contractor can become licensed, just like a plumber or electrician has to do to become licensed. I’m against licensing because there will not be any agency to enforce the code, so the legit contractor will continue to do the right thing and the unlicensed contractor will still be there, working for homeowners who will continue to hire them because they are cheap.”

Industry Consultants

Kevin Kehoe

3PG Consulting, Laguna, Calif.

“Not so much for as against. The industry has done very well without it. It adds no value while introducing government into the segment, which can only add cost and hassle without value. Customers are pretty smart. They hire the best.”

Phil Harwood

Pro-Motion Consulting, Farmington, Mich.

“Licensing creates regulation and adds cost without adding value. Viability is best determined by free market forces.”

Frank Ross

3PG Consulting, Alpharetta, Ga.

“For. It will add a level of much needed professionalism to our industry.”

Jeffrey Scott

Jeffrey Scott Inc!, Trumbull, Conn.

“Licensing in all trades is critical in order to promote professionalism. For us, as long as our industry associations can drive it and not get snookered by political maneuvers of other trades trying to keep landscape-related trades out of the market. This is a knife that can cut both ways, and must be dealt with proactively and with political savvy and proper lobbying.”

Jody Shilan

FromDesign2Build.com, Upper Saddle River, N.J.

“I’m 100% for it. You can’t complain about uninsured, unregistered companies undercutting you and also complain about landscape licensing.”

Bruce Wilson

Wilson-Oyler Group, Scottsdale, Ariz.

“I’m for licensing; however, in California honest, licensed contractors sign up for regulation while unlicensed contractors proliferate, ignoring labor laws, licensing laws and paying cash under the table. It is a competitive disadvantage.”