Irrigation System Basics
A well-designed irrigation system delivers the right amount of water to the right plants at the right time — automatically. It saves water (30-50% vs. hand-watering), saves time, and dramatically improves plant survival. Here's what you need to know before hiring an irrigation contractor.
Sprinkler vs. Drip Irrigation
| Criteria | Traditional Sprinkler | Drip Irrigation |
|---|---|---|
| Installed Cost (typical residential) | $2,500-$5,000 for full yard | $1,500-$3,000 for landscape beds |
| Water Efficiency | Moderate — 50-70% reaches plant roots | Excellent — 90%+ reaches plant roots |
| Best For | Lawns, large turf areas | Landscape beds, gardens, trees, slopes |
| Maintenance | Moderate — head adjustments, winterization | Moderate — emitter clogs, line damage |
| Durability | Good — PVC pipes last 20+ years | Moderate — tubing lasts 10-15 years |
| Coverage Uniformity | Good for open areas; poor near edges | Excellent — targeted to each plant |
Bottom Line: Most residential landscapes benefit from a hybrid system: traditional sprinklers for lawn areas and drip irrigation for landscape beds, gardens, and trees. This combination provides efficient, targeted watering for each plant type.
If you're choosing one or the other, drip irrigation is better for landscape beds (which is most of the watering challenge). Sprinklers are only necessary if you have significant turf area.
What to Specify in Your Irrigation Contract
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"How many zones, and what is each zone watering?"
Why it matters: Zones separate plants with different water needs. Trees, shrubs, groundcover, and lawn each need different watering schedules and volumes.
Notes:
"What type of controller are you installing?"
Why it matters: Smart WiFi controllers (Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, Rain Bird ESP-TM2) adjust watering based on weather data, saving 20-40% on water bills compared to basic timers..
Notes:
"What is the warranty on the system?"
Why it matters: A good irrigation contractor warranties their work for at least one year, covering leaks, broken connections, and design issues..
Notes:
"Does the quote include a rain sensor or weather-based shutoff?"
Why it matters: Many jurisdictions now require rain sensors on new irrigation systems. Even where not required, a rain sensor prevents the embarrassing (and wasteful) sight of sprinklers running during a rainstorm.
Notes:
"Will you provide a zone map and watering schedule?"
Why it matters: A zone map shows which valve controls which area. A watering schedule tells you the recommended runtime for each zone by season.
Notes:
After you've received your quotes, visit zollera.com/compare for a free side-by-side AI analysis.
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Irrigation system quality varies enormously between contractors. Upload your quotes to Zollera to compare zone design, controller type, warranty terms, and pricing.
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