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If youre tired of manually watering your garden, a lawn irrigation system is what you need. Your lawn will benefit because there will be no chance of you overwatering or underwatering it, and you will benefit as you will have more time to relax while your lawn sprinkler system goes to work.
For product advice and a professional installation, get in touch with the team at Summit Landscape Inc. After finding out more about your budget and the needs and size of your lawn, we will give you a competitively priced quote for our expert services.
Plan Ahead To Save On Sprinkler System Cost
Planning ahead for your sprinkler system installation can save you money.
How?
- Get the right size well pump when you build your house.
- Ask the plumber to stub out the plumbing for an irrigation system when building your house. Since the plumber is already there installing plumbing for the rest of the house, it will cost less than hiring it done separately later.
Another note about planning ahead: once customers decide they want a sprinkler system, they usually want it installed as soon as possible.
Depending on the season, the best sprinkler companies in Eau Claire, WI and Minneapolis MN are booked at least a month ahead.
Type Of Water Tap Required
Irrigation systems will also require different types of water taps, which in essence simply means that the hook up to your main water supply comes with varying levels of difficulties as well.
A simple pit tap located next to your water meter, for example, will be easier to tackle than hooking into a deeply buried copper water line.
Most of our customers reside in Illinois, which comes with its own hurdles in the form of plumbing licensing requirements. Each Illinois sprinkler system installation means contracting with a licensed plumber to tap into the water main, which increases the cost to install the sprinkler system.
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Installed Cost Range Of A Lawn Sprinkler System
The average cost of a lawn sprinkler system is $3,850 for a professionally installed yard irrigation system capable of adequately watering a quarter acre of yard, or roughly 10,000 square feet of lawn area. The cost range is about $0.42 to $0.60 cents per square foot.
At this cost you can expect a landscaping contractor to first measure the water pressure at your home. This will determine the number of zones, or sprinklers that run at one time. After this, theyll provide a plan, or layout of your sprinkler system, and provide a price quote. Once agreed upon, theyll provide all supplies and labor needed to mark the system, pull the irrigation lines underground, install the sprinkler heads and zone valves as well as a backflow unit. Once completed, theyll test the system, show you how to use it and clean up the work space. They should replant grass seed as needed over areas where the grass was disturbed.
Are You A Drip
There are basically two types of irrigation systems for your yard: drip and sprinkler. Drip systems consist of a long stretch of either flexible or rigid tubing that runs to a specific part of your yard. The tubing can be either above ground or buried 2 inches below ground. Water travels through the tube and slowly leaks out into the surrounding soil, which has the benefit of feeding the roots of your greenery directly.
According to the AWWA, drip irrigation systems use just 16% more water than standard households versus 35% for normal sprinkler systems so theyre also more water efficient. Part of the reason is that sprinklers broadcast water over a large area, which means some of that moisture is lost to evaporation drip systems avoid this problem. That being said, drip systems are really best for watering specific areas of your yard, such as flower beds, rather than an entire lawn, which can be better served by the greater range of a sprinkler system.
According to Fixr.com, you can expect to pay an average of $2,150 per acre for a drip irrigation system with the tubing above ground, and about $3,000 per acre for a system with buried tubes, which is helpful if youll be mowing the area where its installed.
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Automatic Sprinkler System Cost
Automatic sprinkler systems cost $2,000 to $4,900 with installation for a 1/4 acre yard. Automatic systems feature a programmable controller that ensures each zone is watered for a precise length of time and at the ideal time of day:
- Standard controllers or timers cost $30 to $100.
- Smart or wifi-enabled controllers cost $60 to $300 and tap into local weather data and rain sensors to avoid watering on rainy days.
Do You Need A Sprinkler System
It might seem like an obvious answer, but understanding your need for a sprinkler system is an important part of this process. You’ll want to take into consideration what your actual watering needs are. Do you live in a place that gets plenty of rain? Do you have a large lawn that needs coverage, or are there only a few areas that need consistent moisture? Is your yard planted with local vegetation that can withstand the weather fluctuations in your area, or do you have specialized plantings that need extra attention?
A good way to determine how often your grass needs water is simply to step on it: If it springs back, then it’s fine but, if not, it needs to be watered. By conducting this simple test over a few weeks, you’ll get a sense of just how much of a water deficit there may be in your yard.
While installing a sprinkler system might seem like an efficient way to keep your plantings and grass healthy, according to a study by the American Water Works Association , the most water-efficient way to keep your yard at the proper moisture level is to use a hose. The group says that manually watering with a hose will use 33% less water outdoors than average household usage, while in-ground sprinklers cause 35% more usage. Even more surprising is that sprinkler systems on timers actually use 47% more water than normal.
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Cost To Replace Irrigation System
Landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour to remove an old sprinkler system, plus $1,800 to $5,200 on average to replace it with a new system. Consider replacing the system if the landscape has changed significantly.
Sprinkler repair services can typically fix leaks, broken pipes and heads, and faulty components before replacing the entire system.
Drawbacks Of Having Water Sprinkler
As we said earlier, many general people think that getting a water sprinkler in a house will increase water waste and significantly cost a lot of money. But we arent saying this assumption isnt fake this time. From the installation period to its daily use, it will definitely charge a great amount of water bill, and its really unacceptable to middle-class families.
From a reliable source, we saw that applying 12,000 gallons per month to a private lawn can cost you more than $230, and this calculation may vary from country to country. Moreover, if you dont buy an eco-friendly water sprinkler, it wont help you save money from this project.
Significantly, a low-quality sprinkler machine cannot correctly water the lawn, and it spreads too much water near the main road or even in unnecessary places. As a result, your surroundings may look muddy and slippery too.
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Are You Ready To Install A Diy Lawn Irrigation System
Pros Cost-effective and allows you the flexibility of creating your own set-up. Also, youll know exactly how things are set up and working below the ground, which will help you to troubleshoot problems in the future.
Cons Risks of failures are increased and with that comes costly and time consuming repairs. Also, it can be very time consuming and will take away from other responsibilities. If you have a high-paying job the time you take away from work might cost you more than hiring a professional to install your sprinkler system.
Spray Or Fixed Spray Heads
Spray sprinkler heads are sometimes designed to pop up out of the ground when the sprinkler system is activated, while others rest on pipes that remain above-ground at all times. Spray heads discharge a large volume of water in a relatively short amount of time, giving them a âhigh application rate.â For this reason, sprinkler systems with spray heads are most suitable for even surfaces, not slopes. If you do have to use a spray head on a slope, program your sprinkler system such that water is discharged over several shorter periods. This will help you avoid wasteful run-off.
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Professional Installation Vs Diy
Experience vs. inexperience, the former will always have an edge. It will cost more, but it’s worth every penny. If you have your sprinkler systems professionally installed, youll prevent unnecessary damage to your water system and yard.
Also, the professionals will help you determine whether your plumbing system can support a new sprinkler system. If not, youll need the services of a plumber who will charge $45$200 per hour.
It might sound expensive to have your lawn sprinklers installed by a professional, but it will save you from a lot of headaches. Think about local permits, planning the irrigation system, excavation, lawn care after installation, etc.
Its too much work that you can have someone else help you with. But if youre up for it, do it yourself, and you’ll save about $1,500 or more.
Sprinkler System Wire Repair Cost
Repairing wiring for your sprinkler system costs between $50 and $85 for each linear foot of damaged wire. Wires provide energy to the system but can get damaged or fray over time, which could cause the system to shut down or run intermittently due to an interrupted power flow. To fix damaged wires, they may need to be adjusted, reconnected, or have new covers fitted.
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Should You Hire A Professional
Pros Most efficient way to have your system built and you wont have to worry about looking for materials. Professional set-ups often come with a policy if systems fail to work or if materials are broken. Additionally, this option is very time and labor effective.
Cons Costly. Youre not only paying for the systems but also for the labor that comes with having someone else do the work for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Sprinkler System
National AveragesHome AdvisorKeep your new lawn sprinkler in good working condition with these 10 steps.9 Budgeting Steps for an Irrigation System The size of your property including any slopes: Your propertys soil condition:How many zones youre putting in:Here are seven common sprinkler problems and how to fix them. Your lawn, landscape and gardening needs:The brand that you use: sprinkler systemHiring a contractor: Buying materials: Renting equipment:Repairing your lawn:How K-Rain Can Help You Install Your Sprinkler Systemonline storeLowesHome Depotcontractors
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Sprinkler Box Repair Cost
Repairing a box averages $50 to $85 per box. The valve box is a large box, usually made of polypropylene or another plastic, which contains and protects your systems control valves and provides easy access for adjustments, repairs, or replacements. These boxes can become cracked or damaged over time due to exposure to the elements. A professional can usually patch any light damage.
Sprinkler Pipe Burst Repair Cost
The cost to fix a burst sprinkler water pipe ranges from $150 to $350. Pipes usually burst in winter because water left inside the pipes freezes and expands. High pressure from the soil can also cause pipes to burst. This can lead to the entire system leaking a lot of water when it is turned on and huge puddles appearing in the yard. This can be a costly repair because the burst section will need to be dug up, removed, and replaced with fresh piping.
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Labor Cost To Install A Sprinkler System
You can expect to spend $120 to $1,600 for the labor to install your sprinkler system, based on its type, with most of the cost going to the sprinkler heads and other materials. While most installers charge per job, the national average per hour is between $40 and $100. When considering the price of sprinkler system installation, keep in mind potential plumbing issues. A plumbers cost ranges from $45 to $200 per hour, depending on the job and location.
You will find online sources that say installing a sprinkler system can be a DIY project. However, the amount of research and planning, the necessity of precise measuring and level digging, and specialized tools needed make this a massive undertaking for an amateur. Pros can, in many cases, complete the installation in one or two days. Costs for irrigation system installation vary based on the labor requirements, location, and individual design of each sprinkler or drip irrigation system. For example, an above-ground sprinkler with 6+ zones and multiple high-tech features may end up with labor prices closer to that of a traditional in-ground installation when compared to a basic above-ground one.
What Is The Cost To Install An Irrigation System
As youve heard, sprinkler installation is expensive. But how expensive is it?
According to Fixr, the national average cost of sprinkler system installation is $5,500 for ½ acre. For ¼ acre, the average cost is $2,200 and can reach as high as $11,000 for one acre.
The systems costs could increase depending on factors such as
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Cost To Install Sprinkler System
You will find online sources that say installing a can be a DIY project. However, the amount of research and planning, the necessity of precise measuring and level digging, and specialized tools needed make this a massive undertaking for an amateur. Pros can, in many cases, complete the installation in one or two days. They already know the local ordinances, have experience pulling permits, and have all the nifty gadgets that will make the job a stress free experience for you. While most installers charge per job, the national average per hour cost is between $40 and $100. Sprinkler installation cost does vary significantly from state to state.
When looking at the price of sprinkler system installation, keep in mind potential plumbing issues. Connecting a sprinkler to your current plumbing system may not be a concern. Yet, if your current system is not sufficient for the size of your yard, you may require a plumber for upgrades. A plumbers cost ranges from $45 to $200 per hour, depending on the job and location.
| Type of Sprinkler System |
|---|
| $640 â $1,600 |
How Does A Sprinkler System Work
A lawn sprinkler system works by sending a specified amount of water through underground PVC pipes to sprinkler heads in planned zones throughout the yard. An electronic controller signals the valves in each zone to open when scheduled, releasing water into the pipes and forcing sprinkler heads to pop above ground.
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What Is The Average Price Of An Irrigation System
- Sprinkler and drip systems vary in cost, but average $650-1000 per zone. Aesthetic Gardens in Mountain View, CA
Sprinkler System Price Estimates
- $1000 per zone: A general rule of thumb in residential or commercial landscapes is to charge $1000 per zone. This includes the line and irrigation heads for that given line, says Rick Evans of Aesthetic Gardens in Mountain View, CA.
- $900 per zone: Jeremy Walla of Aspen Ridge Lawn and Landscape in Rapid City, SD estimates $900 per zone. Of course, that can go up or down a little depending on the type of sprinkler heads used, he says.
Andy Villaescusa points out that with more zones, the cost per zone goes down. Thats because expenses like the timer, backflow preventer and water sensor only need to be purchased once.
Drip Irrigation System Price Estimates
- $300 per zone for a bare-bones drip system added to a sprinkler installation: Jeremy Walla of Aspen Ridge Lawn and Landscape in Rapid City, SD estimates it could be as low as $300 per zone, since youd simply be plugging into an existing timer and setup.
- $650-750 per zone for an average drip system with a varied planting, according to Andy Villaescusa of A-Plus Sprinkler and Landscape in Crestline, CA.
Factors which determine sprinkler costSize of the area. A large area will need more valves, sprinkler heads and pipe, all of which takes more labor to install.
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Lawn Sprinkler System Cost By Zone
You can expect to spend between $650 and $7,000 on a sprinkler system based on the number of zones your system has. Different types of grass and foliage have different water requirements. Separating your yard into several irrigation zones allows you to program the system so that each zone supplies adequate water to the lawn and plants within that area. A zone is simply one section of your sprinkler system in which the same valve controls the heads. Small lots may be fine with one or two zones. However, an acre may require more than five zones to water the lawn and/or landscaping adequately.
Your sprinkler projects cost varies based on how many sprinklers you have in each zone and how many total zones there are. It also depends on your propertys soil and the selected sprinkler system. The number of heads per zone can be found by calculating the gallons per minute and pounds per square inch . The higher the water pressure, the stronger the sprinklers. You may need fewer sprinkler heads to water the same amount of grass. Each sprinkler brand, overall design, and custom setup influence the number of sprinklers per zone. The following are the national average costs for sprinkler systems with a specific number of zones, with the cost for a 7 zone sprinkler system being the most expensive.
| Number of Zones |
|---|
| $4,550 – $7,000 |
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