Sprinkler System

[engteach64]

I'm thinking I want a sprinkler system installed in my front yard. Anyone know of a good company who does this for a good rate?

[sojourner truth]

Usually you only get 2 choices. Either a good job or a good rate. Most everybody I know uses Atmospheres irrigation. They do it right. Guys with Green Shoes does stuff like that too, and my neighbor used them. They were fairly reasonable. In Heights, there is a sprinkler supply store named EWING on 2410. They supply all the installers in the area and I'd bet they could give you a great lead.

[engteach64]

Thank you. I want a good price, but I want a good job more. I will check with them. Thanks.

[engteach64]

The first quote I got was 2040.00 to do the front yard only. I only want the front yard done as the backyard seems to stay green year round. Is this a good price? I'm still going to get some more quotes, but just wanted some advice here. Thanks.

[siamcat]

Ouch.
No clue if that's a good price or not, just shuddering at the price.

[engteach64]

I know, but if I have to run the water for 30 minutes on every section of my yard to get it to grow, I'd rather have the sprinklers do it once or twice a day. It is bound to even out financially in the long run. It will also help when I decide to sell my house in the future. :)

[Night Owl]

The first quote I got was 2040.00 to do the front yard only. I only want the front yard done as the backyard seems to stay green year round. Is this a good price? I'm still going to get some more quotes, but just wanted some advice here. Thanks.

What is the size of your front yard?
How many sprinkler heads and what type?
How many zones?
How deep are they going to dig?
What type and size pipe will they use. Insist on PVC that is made to be underground. PVC that is used in home building will not last when put in the ground.
Will they get the proper permits?
What is their warranty?
What type of ground do you have? rocky? sandy loom?
Are his workers legal? If not you could be liable if they are discovered on your property.
Does he carry insurance in case a worker gets hurt on your property?

There is too many questions that you need to ask before anyone can make an educated guess.

Go on the internet and do some research on sprinkler systems so you know if they are trying to rip you off. I know from experience.

[CenTexDave]

I looked into this a few years back and decided it's not worth the money. Might be a sellling point in the future, but so is a pool and the maintenance on those things will eat up any gain on the sale of your house.
In dry weather, just put out pulsating sprinklers and use a timer.

[JoAnn Purser]

Usually $385-$400 a station/zone is a fair price. How many stations/zones will they be installing? That gives all a good idea the size of your front yard. Then add about $500 for a controller box. (Adding the additional yard will not have the cost of the controller box later, only the per station/zone cost.)

[engteach64]

I reread the quote and half of the quote was "if this happens it will cost this," "if this, then this fee." If a company spends most of the quote telling me about extra charges, I have to wonder. I think I will look into other companies. Thank you all for the added information, it will be important.

[sojourner truth]

How much you spend depends a lot on how badly you want the system. I personally wouldn't want to just half the yard. But then I am a lawn fanatic, and how my grass looks is a matter of pride to me that verges on obsession. My old house didn't have a system, and I had to go out and set up mobile sprinklers, move hoses, then check on it every half hour or so. It just gets to the point where you just don't do it and pray for rain. That's when most lawns go south. The new house came with it, and I will never have a house without it again. It's so nice to just hit a button and watch it take care of itself. Once you get it in and get all the heads adjusted, and the timer set to where you get an inch a week, it's on autopilot from there. Sounds like your price was a bit high, but not astronomically so. The controllers and brain box are fairly expensive. Then there is the digging in the pipe and the wiring, so it ain't just a "snap of the fingers" operation. You can find someone cheaper than the quote you got, I'm sure. My neighbor got his entire yard done for $3,000, but it was a guy and his son that did the work. It wasn't as "high tech" or professional job, but it did the same thing mine did...watered the entire yard.

[Night Owl]

My yard that we water is 3/4 acre and it cost around $3500.

[engteach64]

The reason I don't want them in the back is because I have an in ground pool, and through splashing and such, the back yard is always lush and green. Never an issue, so why bother watering when it is awesome. We also have dogs who dig, and I would be fit to be tied if one of them dug up a sprinkler.

This guy who gave me the quote was all about extra charges. If there is rock it will be 700.00 a day for the machine, he also gave me the reasons the warranty would be invalidated. It just made me feel that he wasn't very reputable if he was looking for outs to cover his work.

I will be calling to get my next quote tomorrow.