Many Florida residents already know the value of a sprinkler system, and if you’re not one of them, our sprinkler system FAQs can help educate you on commonly asked questions.
In our last post, we talked about common varieties of sprinkler systems. If you’re new to sprinkler systems, that article will provide an overview on the types of systems that are most commonly used. Next, I invite you to read about the most common questions I encounter when installing systems. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact me with additional questions, and I’ll try to help you.
Sprinkler System FAQs
1. How much will it cost?
This may be the most common question I get, and the answer, of course, depends on your property and its unique features. Sprinkler system installation price varies according to:
- the type and quality of system
- the size of your property (or the areas to be irrigated)
- your soil condition and slope, if you have any
- the number of zones I’ll need to install
It’s fair to say that prices start at around $2,000-$2,500. The average installed price is probably about $3,000-4,500. You really need to start off by getting an estimate. And when you do, make sure that you find out the name of the manufacturer of the system so that you are comparing apples to apples.
2. What’s a sprinkler system comprised of?
A sprinkler system consists of:
- piping to deliver the water
- heads to distribute the water
- valves that allow the water through the pipes
- a controller that activates each part of the system at specific times
3. How long does a system installation take?
Usually, it takes 1-2 days to install a typical sprinkler system.
4. How do you determine the number of zones needed for a sprinkler system?
Zones are simply the areas that require more or less watering or the areas that require watering at particular times. Zones can include:
- Extremely shady grass areas
- Sunny grass areas
- Shrubs
- Gardens
5. Is maintaining a sprinkler system hard?
Sprinkler system maintenance isn’t hard if you know what you’re doing. We’re happy to walk you through your maintenance steps or we can come out pre- and post-season to handle the maintenance for you. The City of Tampa has a great half-hour video on maintenance here. To winterize, we recommend having your system “blown out,” which removes water from the lines.
6. Will I save money by installing a system?
You can save up to 50 percent on your water bill if you’ve been irrigating by hand. Your savings will just depend on how frequently you water now and how effectively. You can save up to 100 percent of your time, too!
7. Is DIY installation recommended?
If you’re installing something simple, like a soaker hose, then, by all means, do that yourself! Installation of an underground system requires knowledge of plumbing and electrical. You’ll also need to figure out how much water you’ll need to apply to each zone and when. Doing it yourself can save you about half of what it would cost to have the system installed, with the caveat that you’ll need to figure out how to adjust your settings for maximum effectiveness.
8. As far as professional installation is concerned, what is the licensing requirement in the state of Florida?
If you’d like an estimate, feel free to contact us here.
