Choosing an Irrigation Contractor

It's a Very Important Decision

The success of your irrigation system depends largely on the contractor you choose to install it. A contractor's expertise and specialized skills are crucial in determining your system's efficiency and long-term reliability.

In fact, how your irrigation system is designed and installed will make the difference between a system that is reliable and keeps your lawn green and healthy, and one that is troublesome, wastes water and leaves your lawn looking brown and unhealthy. It's a big decision, but choosing the right contractor isn't as difficult as it may seem. Here are a few tips that will help you select a contractor who will guarantee a job well done.

What to Expect

An efficient, well-organized contractor will be happy to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. First, the contractor will want to view your property in order to determine soil conditions, water sources and pressure, planting materials, etc. He then will present a formal estimate detailing what he plans to do and the total price for materials and installation. Along with the estimate, the contractor should clearly explain all the specifics to you. There generally should be little disruption to existing foliage, and the average job should take less than a week.

Questions to Ask

The best contractors will encourage you to ask a lot of questions. By asking questions, you will know exactly what you will be getting for your money and what to expect from your new sprinkler system. Here are a few important questions to get you started.

• What type of product will be used and why? He should tell you what type of controller, valves and rotors or spray heads are best for your landscape.
• Is after-sale service provided? A professional contractor should be willing and able to provide after-sale service.
• Is there a warranty on the system? His work should be guaranteed; a one-year warranty is typical. Also, be sure to ask him for names and telephone numbers of recent satisfied customers, so you can call and check his references!

You Get What You Pay For

When choosing a contractor, you should be wary of those who offer to charge you significantly less than other contractors. Low bidders may not be licensed or insured and often use cost-cutting techniques that can jeopardize your lawn and shorten the life of your system.

Watch out for these commonly used tricks of the trade:

• Not including a backflow preventer, where required by local codes to protect your drinking water supply.
• Installing sprinklers too far apart, which makes it impossible for certain areas to receive enough water and causes brown spots during the hot summer months.
• Mixing sprinklers with different application rates on the same line, which causes one area to be overwatered in order to sufficiently water another.
• Not using special watertight connectors and a protective valve box to safeguard the electrical elements, guard against short circuits and prevent corrosion.

Confidence Counts

Above all, you should choose a contractor you can trust and with whom you feel comfortable. It's important that he install professional series products such as those manufactured by Rain Bird, the world's leading manufacturer of irrigation equipment. For more than seven decades, Rain Bird products and the professional irrigation contractor have worked together to provide the industry's most cost-effective, reliable irrigation systems. Choosing an irrigation contractor who uses Rain Bird professional series products is the best way to ensure the job will be done right.

A sprinkler system is a complex network of pipes, valves, electrical connections and sprinkler heads. Because it serves as the circulation system for your yard, the design and installation of your sprinkler system are critical to its success. It's a complicated process requiring a host of equipment, as well as a background in landscape design and hydraulics. This is why it's so important to have a professional contractor design your system.

If You Still Water Your Lawn the Old-fashioned Way...
It's Time To Let a Professional Take Control.

Having a beautiful landscape doesn't mean you have to spend hour upon hour working in your yard. With a professionally installed Rain Bird automatic sprinkler system, your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood - with little or no upkeep.

In addition to keeping your landscape attractive year-round, an underground sprinkler system will help conserve water, too. The system will place exactly the right amount of water on individual lawn and garden areas, which means none is wasted. Rain Bird also has moisture sensing devices that will turn your system off when it's raining and water is not needed.

The fact is, a professionally installed, automatic sprinkler system is one of the best investments you can make in your home. Just ask anybody who has one. There's no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your home, increase its value and save yourself a lot of time and hassle.

Keep in mind, however, that there's more to a good sprinkler system than just good sprinklers. System design and installation are key to how well a system performs. That's why it's important for you to have a professional irrigation contractor design and install the right system for your home. You can count on a professional contractor to do the job right - the first time.

Put away the garden hose and let Rain Bird do your watering for you - automatically. You'll have greener grass, healthier looking plants, and lots more free time to spend smelling the roses instead of watering them.

You'll enjoy having a Rain Bird automatic sprinkler system because...

• YOU'LL SAVE TIME. Your system will do all the watering for you.
• YOU'LL SAVE WATER. An automatic system actually uses less water than doing it by hand.
• YOU'LL SAVE MONEY. Your water bills will be lower and plants will live longer.
• YOU'LL REST EASY. The Rain Bird name is your assurance of quality, value and performance.