The beauty of your landscape depends on proper irrigation. Getting the right amount of water to all of the different types of plant material is key! Keeping that water off hardscapes and especially your home is also important to your home and for water conservation. Your sprinkler system is a complex network of pipes, valves, sprinklers and electrical connections. The success of your sprinkler system depends largely on the contractor you choose. Their expertise and skills and business ethic will determine the efficiency and reliabiltiy of your new system. The technicians at Blue Sky Rain are trained in horticulture, hydraulics and irrigation system design.
Yellow Columbine and Pink Peony, made healthy with Drip Irrigation and Spray Heads. These beautiful flowers share a space with roots from a large Oak Tree and require a lot of water.
Seven Deadly Sprinkler Sins
Irrigation Pitfalls and Short cuts to Avoid
- Not including a backflow preventer
- Installing Sprinklers too Far Apart
- Mixing Sprinklers with Different Applicatoin Rates on the Same Line
- Not using Watertight Connectors and a Protective Valve Box
- Not using Hardy Schedule 40 Pipe
- Using Cheap Materials
- Using whatever they happen to have on the truck that day!
These are not myth or sales hype. These are actual situations we have encountered in our repair business. Sprinkler System Repair is our Speciality and we think we have seen it all in what not to do in systems we have repaired all around the Greater Birmingham Area.
A Sprinkler System is an excellent investment for your home and family. A lush healthy landscape provides you with a comfortable relaxing atmosphere to return home to every day and the improved curb appeal improves property values. Your irrigation system design will make the difference between a system that continues to keep your lawn healthy and green and one that creates problems, wastes water and leaves your lawn unheathy with brown spots.
How can you be confident that the contractor you are calling is indeed a good quality irrigation and lighting contractor? Here are a few tips to help you choose an irrigation and lighting contractor.
Locating the Best Contractor
Your best source for a good sprinkler and lighting company is your own good personal prior experience working with contractor. Other good sources are referrals from direct experience of family, neighbors, co-workers or friends. Contractors you see working frequently in your area and companies you find from researching The Yellow Pages, Internet or local Home Builders Association can also be good resources if you are also checking their references. Beware of contractors who knock on your door or leave a flyer or magnet on your mailbox.
Insurance
Do they have Insurance?
Your best contractor will have Worker's Compensation, General Liability and Commercial Auto Insurance. REJECT any Contractor that has no insurance. They are not worth the risk.
Business Longevity and Experience
How much Experience do they have? How long have they been in business?
Your best choice will have at least 10 years experience in Sprinkler Systems and have been in business a minimum of 5 years.
Check out any references You might also ask the contractor to identify recent similar work in the area. Go and look at those sites. If possible, ask those customers if they are happy with the work. Some of the questions you might want to ask these people include: Were you able to communicate easily with the contractor? Was the quality of the work satisfactory? Was the promised schedule maintained? Were your questions, complaints, or problems resolved quickly? Were the members of the work crew polite, neat, and respectful of your home and family? Would you use this contractor again? Service Agreement - Scope of Work and Price and Warranty Is the Sprinkler Specialist providing you in writing with a detailed description of the scope of work, warranty and guaranteed price? There should only be special circumstances in which you are not given a specific price and you should understand what those are. Assumptions (if any) are clear and accurate. Your best Contractor will Guarantee the work for one year. Longer warranties may sound appealing, but they are not necessary and are often used as inducements or enticements to get your business by desperate companies who may or may not be around when you need them to provide that 'longer' warranty. The clear industry standard for Sprinkler Projects is one year parts and labor. Contractors to Avoid Not using Commercial Grade Materials Not using Schedule 40 Pipe They do not provide contracts for the work They do not guarantee the price of the job They give no definite date to begin or end the job They are uncertain of how long it will take to complete the work Finally, trust your instincts. If there is something about a contractor that doesn't sound right or feel right, if something in the contractor's behavior while in your home doesn't feel professional, or if you just don't trust them, don't hire that contractor. Asking the right questions, checking facts, comparing estimates, and feeling comfortable with the Sprinkler Contractor, should make your New Sprinkler System Installation or Repair/Add-on a safe and pleasant experience.
Expertise
Do they specialize in Sprinkler Systems?
Your Best Choice for Irrigation and Landscape Lighting is a contractor who specializes in only those two disciplines. It is impossible to be all things to all people and to strive for perfection in multiple services is tough. You want a contractor who focuses their tools, time, training and experience on sprinkler systems. Some landscape companies will also offer in-house sprinkler services but it is very difficult for them to maintain as high a quality as a single-focused irrigation contractor. Employee turn-over and continuous technology improvements make it difficult to stay current if a contractor is not a sprinkler specialist. Be aware of the "jack of all trades" as they are sometimes masters of none.
Business Stability
Will they be in business when you need them in the future?
Your best sprinkler contractor has a physical business office. Be aware of contractors who only have a cell phone and are working from home.
References
Has your contractor supplied you with current references from at least 5 customers? Have they supplied you with a reference from their supplier? Reject any contractor who is not in good standing with their suppliers. Your best contractor is current in all their vendor accounts and is recommended by their customers and suppliers.
Here's our short list of Red Flags. If you have more, we'd love to see them.
Pressures you to "sign up now" with special inducements
Does not have proper insurance
Not in good standing with their major suppliers
Does not provide good current references
Does not respond quickly to your calls
Does not provide an agreement/quote when they said they would
Does not show up for their appointment with you on time or the date agreed
Does not require an in-person meeting with you
Does not answer their phone with a live person
Does not have business hours or an office
Extremely Low Bid
Contractors who are not full time Sprinkler Specialists
Remember these warning signs of disreputable contractors:
