Trust Peloquin Sprinklers & Landscaping for the best value in sprinkler systems.
If you’re moving into a new home with a bare yard or starting a series of much-needed home improvements, you may be considering a new sprinkler system for your property.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a retiree with time and resources to upgrade your residence to the home of your dreams, you’re looking at a serious investment for a quality sprinkler system.
Peloquin Sprinklers is family-owned and has three generations of experience installing residential lawn irrigation. Below, the company’s sprinkler professionals offer a breakdown of what you’re paying for and what to expect.
A New Sprinkler System
The cost of a new sprinkler system will significantly vary depending on the type of materials and brands you select. While homeowners could adopt a do-it-yourself approach and rely upon the internet alone to guide them, odds are this will lead you to budget products and lack the expertise gained by hiring a sprinkler professional.
If you’ve ever strolled down the irrigation aisle at either Lowe’s or Home Depot, you’ll recognize popular sprinkler brands such as Hunter and Rain Bird that have been around for decades. The products available at these retailers aren’t horrible; however, the selection favors budget versus quality and is limited compared to what a sprinkler company has access to through their sprinkler wholesale partners. For example, it may be difficult to find 1-inch sprinkler piping at your local home improvement store, which is much more durable than three-quarter or half-inch piping most retailers carry. Furthermore, not only will a sprinkler company provide access to higher quality sprinkler parts, but their wholesale discount may be passed onto you, the customer.
So, after doing your research you’ve decided to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that comes with hiring a locally owned sprinkler company to install your new sprinkler system. Here’s the minimum amount of sprinkler parts you’ll be paying for.
Sprinkler Pipes: The size of your lawn will dictate the length of piping for your project.
Sprinkler Couplings and Fittings: Parts that connect or extend the sprinkler pipe as needed in addition to converting 1-inch to swing pipe.
Crimps: Metal brackets that secure the couplings and sprinkler fittings.
Swing Pipe: Flexible tubing made from durable polyethylene; used for connecting the 1-inch sprinkler piping to the sprinkler heads.
Sprinkler Heads: Spray Heads or Rotating.
Sprinkler Nozzles: Your sprinkler contractor will advise on the most appropriate nozzle based on your heads, lawn size as well as shape.
Sprinkler Valves: Each valve controls a different sprinkler zone; the quantity is determined by the number of zones required to properly water your lawn based on your yard’s design and house’s water pressure.
PVC Pipe: Non-flexible piping used to connect the sprinkler valves.
Valve Box: Durable container to protect the sprinkler system from the forces of nature.
Sprinkler Timer: Like any other electronic, the price will vary depending on the brand as well as the bells and whistles you prefer in addition to the number of sprinkler zones you have.
Labor Costs
Labor and installation are the next expense to consider when installing a new sprinkler system. It’s common for sprinkler contractors to provide a single price in their estimate for both the cost of labor, parts and of course, tax. Fees can vary based on:
The size of your yard.
How difficult it is to install the system; take soil type and grade into account.
Whether or not your copper and backflow preventer (aka pressure vacuum breaker) are already installed. If either of these needs to be installed fo the first time or fixed, it will add a substantial cost to your project, both in terms of labor and parts.
If the wiring for your sprinkler system is already completed by the home builder or from an older sprinkler system.
If the property is difficult to access and requires more hand digging versus machine trenching.
Other Costs
Depending on your additional requirements and scope of the project, you may elect to pay for the following:
You may also see costs for the following in your quote or final bill:
While any reputable sprinkler company will strive to keep a project on budget, the first rule of construction is anything that can happen will happen. Should the unexpected arise, your sprinkler contractor will explain the additional cost before moving forward.
Likewise, if you make drastic changes to the project by expanding the lawn size, for example, the additional cost will be added in what’s known as a change order to compensate for the added labor and parts.
Adding a drip zone to water your trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Adding a rain sensor; this could also affect the type of sensor you install.
Upgrading your sprinkler nozzles.
It’s always advisable to get multiple price quotes on the expected costs for a new sprinkler system in Colorado Springs.
Reputable sprinkler contractors will take the time to explain the estimate in detail and answer any questions you may have. They’ll have insurance, be upfront about any concerns they have about the project, and won’t change pricing on you mid-stream without clearly explaining the new costs. Perhaps most important, they won’t request half-down until they start the project.
Peloquin Sprinklers prefers to break the estimate process into two meetings to ensure potential customers know exactly what they’d be buying:
1st Meeting: Owners meet with the homeowner to discuss the project and take yard measurements and perform any necessary home inspections that may impact the price.
2nd Meeting: Owners present the price quote to homeowners and walk them through the project from calling 811 to mark any utility lines in the yard through to completion.
Selecting someone just because they offer the lowest installation costs could be a decision you regret—and one that could cost you more in the long run. Remember, you’re not just buying a sprinkler system, but also the hard-working people behind it who ideally are focused on quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction.