—An Irrigation contractor should have a minimum of five years of experience. You should not be penalized because of inexperience. Underground irrigation is a side-line operation to some contractors.

—Customer references should be solicited and checked out. The longer term the customer, the better to judge past performance.

—Trade references should be solicited and investigated. A contractors reputation and stability are generally known within the trade. We have repaired sprinkler systems less than a year old because the installation contractor would not return the customers phone calls or they were out of business.

—Affiliations with trade associations such as the Irrigation Association, Plumbing Union, and other groups show a willingness, and positive action, to stay abreast of the fundamentals and latest advancements in the trade. Some contractors are just not technically qualified to install a quality system.

—As a part of the irrigation contract, your contractor should supply you with a detailed layout of the sprinkler heads and watering zones. This in invaluable if you have landscaping or will be making landscape changes in the future. We have made good use of 50 year old layouts. This will save you service expense in the future.

—A contractor may try to sell you on a ‘Brand name’ system such as all Toro, Rain Bird, Nelson, Hardie, Weather-Matic, etc. Maybe he is trying to build up points with his distributor for a free Caribbean trip in the Winter. I don’t know of any manufacturer who makes the best product in every category i.e. controllers, mist heads, gear drive heads, valves, etc.

—A contractor should supply you with a certificate of insurance, upon request. If the contractor is not insured, or inadequately insured, you would be liable if an accident occurs on your property.

—State and local law require that a state licensed plumber make the tap into your potable water supply for the sprinkler system. A ‘reduced pressure’ backflow preventor has to be installed. This prevents the back-flow of any contaminants into your water supply and is required to be certified on a yearly basis. Some contractors do not comply with either provision and you, the customer, are liable for non-compliance to state and local authority.

—A reliable contractor will have knowledgeable and prompt service personnel that have ready access to the parts to service any part of your system.

—Your contractor should supply you with a ‘Waiver of Lien” at your request before you make the final payment to him. The waiver certifies to you that he has paid for the material and labor used on your sprinkler system. This protects you from claims from the contractors workers and parts suppliers if he hasn’t paid them.

    These are just some of the things to look for and to be wary of as a consumer. Are the above items restrictive and do they carry through a cost to you? Yes, in both cases, but it is a small price to pay as insurance to you that you will end up with a quality sprinkler system that will serve you indefinitely and at a minimal amount for yearly maintenance. We have serviced sprinkler systems that were obviously installed by amateurs and very costly to bring up to minimal standards. Choosing the right contractor and knowing what to look for will save you money, in the long run, and increase your satisfaction with your lawn sprinkler system.

We hope that we have been of some help to you. Please call us if we can be of further service to you.

Naturescape Irrigation