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Sprinkler System Cost

How Much Does a Sprinkler System Cost?

low cost Do-It-Yourself: $700-$900
low costMedium: $1,500-$2,500
low costHigh: $2,500-$3,500

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Typical costs:
  • Prices for underground sprinkler systems vary considerably by region and climate, but for an average 2,500-square-foot (50-x-50-foot) front yard, it's about $1,500-$2,500, while a sprinkler system for 5,000 square feet (front and back yards) costs about$2,500-$3,500. That's because the most expensive items are a proper (legal and functional) plumbing connection and the computerized controller (the system's "brains"); once you've got those, covering a larger area isn't as expensive per square foot.
  • Do-it-yourself kits run about $700-$900 for 2,500 square feet, but creating a proper design for soil conditions, slope, shade and other factors can be complicated, plus it's important to bury the pipes deep, so there's lots of digging and bending.
What should be included:
  • Check with your local building department about permits and other requirements. Some areas have extremely detailed rules about what type and quality of equipment is allowed, how the plumbing connection (preventing backflow) is made, how deep the pipes are buried, etc. Do-it-yourselfers need to call to find out exactly where all utility lines are buried; a contractor should do this for you.
  • Sprinklers are generally installed in "zones"--each zone waters a specific area and only one zone can be on at any time (which helps keep the water pressure up), GaltTech.com gives a concise overview of how a system works and BobVila.com lists what to keep in mind when choosing a sprinkler system.
  • IrrigationTutorials.com provides an extensive (and free) online course in designing a proper sprinkler system and ThisOldHouse.com outlines step-by-step instructions for do-it-yourselfers. A proper sprinkler design takes into account the soil conditions, type of water source (well or city supply) water pressure, slope, sun exposure, and type of grass or plants being watered.
Shopping for a sprinkler system:
  • When giving an estimate, a contractor generally provides a plan diagram and usually plants small flags in the ground indicating what type of sprinkler heads (popup, inground, directional) will go where. Ask for a detailed explanation of what components are being used and how the design accounts for water pressure and separate planting areas, so the system covers the yard without wasting water. Installing sprinklers involves digging trenches at least a foot deep; ask if how they'll repair your yard when the work is done.
  • The Irrigation Association lists tips for hiring a contractor.
  • Referrals are available from the manufacturers Rainbird and Hunter.
Article updated February 2007
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Cost For A Replacement Head
Amount: $500.00
Posted by: Nancy199 in Fall River, MA.Posted: May 2nd, 2009 10:05PM
My landscaper told me that it would cost $100 per sprinkler head, to replace the bad ones. My sprinkler system is only three years old. I have already spent $500.00, to replace five heads. Isn\'t this price excessive?
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sprinkle repair
Amount: $430.00
Posted by: vivian00 in houston, TX.Posted: July 2nd, 2009 10:07AM
my husband does landscaping and one of our client wanted some sprinkles to be repair we repair some and add 8 new ones 13 heads total and the price came up to $430 labor included our client was satisfied and so do we
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New Sprinkler System
Amount: $3,200.00
Posted by: a user in O'Falon, IL.Posted: July 2nd, 2009 08:07PM
Sq Ft of Yard: 9500Installer: Gateway
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Replacing sprinkler heads
Amount: $450.00
Posted by: a user in Sugar Land, TX.Posted: July 17th, 2009 03:07PM
Sq Ft of Yard: 2000Installer: Local Company
I spent $75 for large heads and $25 for smaller ones.
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$100 a sprinkler head is rape
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: FunkDr.Spot in Sacramento, CA.Posted: September 13th, 2009 04:09PM
Sq Ft of Yard: 2000Installer: me
Nancy199, unless your sprinkler heads are made of gold, $100 a head is absolute rape. Sprinkler work is labor intensive but any able body can do it. Most contractors hire immigrants out of the front of Home Depot for dollars a day

In comparison, a single sprinkler would probably take an hour to dig up and a new head is like $5
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Replacing heads and Repair
Amount: $70.00
Posted by: Pro-Irrigation in Abilene, TX.Posted: September 18th, 2009 12:09PM
Sq Ft of Yard: Installer: Pro-Irrigation
I Work in Abilene Tx. I own Pro-Irrigation. I charge $70.00 per hr plus parts. About $10 per pop-up spray heads and $25 per Rotor. I think $100 per head was excessive. How long did it take them? Were there any problems?
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Sprinkler heads
Amount: $350.00
Posted by: a user in Mt Laurel, NJ.Posted: July 2nd, 2010 08:07AM
I spent $350 with tax. The guy changed five sprinkler heads and said others are fine. He charged $45 per new head and $70 for labor.

I am debating now that $45 per head is really a good price?
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New Sprinkler System w/grass seed
Amount: $900.00
Posted by: Lauren S in Gardena, CA.Posted: July 21st, 2010 02:07PM
Sq Ft of Yard: ~400Installer:
I have a small front yard that has never had a sprinkler system installed before. They are digging up under the sidewalk to install the sprinklers by the curb as well.

I live in a small house with a small front and backyard.
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Never had Irrigation system front or back
Amount: $850.00
Posted by: Ray321 in Redding, CA.Posted: August 2nd, 2010 12:08AM
Sq Ft of Yard: 5730Installer: Ray
We have a big yard with 85 rose bushes boarding the yard and anther 40 around the house. We just installed sprinkler system and micro drip system for the rose. It took me 2 weekends to dig under 3 sidewalk and to install 9 zones, I spent just under $850.00.
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3 new zones for spinkler spayers for 225 plants
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: joseph peterson in sebastian, FL.Posted: November 11th, 2010 06:11PM
Sq Ft of Yard: 30,000 sq ft +/-Installer: ?
looking for an approx estimate on following
3 new zones / 375' pvc / 660' sprinkle sprayer hose / 112 above ground spinkler sprayers / 3
control valves / 90' sprinkler wire + connect to main control box / 6 new 180 rotor sprinklers /
for 225 plants around perimeter of 3/4 acre
approx cost for entire job inc parts & labor
thanks for your time & effort
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New system
Amount: $4,000.00
Posted by: Sam_in_FranklinPark in Franklin Park, NJ.Posted: March 23rd, 2011 01:03PM
Got a quote for $4000 for 50 new heads (10 zones) to install a system- wondering if that is reasonable.
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New System
Amount: $700.00
Posted by: rbytheway in Price, UT.Posted: April 2nd, 2011 08:04PM
Sq Ft of Yard: 4000Installer: My Husband and I
My husband and I just installed our own sprinkler system. Overall it cost us less than a thousand dollars for the entire system. We are big DIYers though and I have a hard time hiring out something that is simple enough to do. Especially when they quote me 3 times as much as what it costs to do it myself. We installed a total of 28 sprinkler heads with 5 different zones. The most we spent per head was $10.
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Pricing on Sprinkler System Installation
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Ken B in Orange, CA.Posted: May 14th, 2011 07:05AM
Sq Ft of Yard: Installer: Self
Yes we can save some money installing the system on the weekends. But the money you save now may cost you more over the life of the system. Water pressure, PSI and velocity (speed of water through the pipes)are critical and must be addressed first. If your installer does not have these numbers for you find someone that will provde it before attempting the installation. From a proper design perspective this is crucial. High pressure does not equate to unlimited sprinkler heads on a valve. If it did we would only need one valve to operate the system. Buy the best valve you can, it will last longer and save you money on repairs or replacement. Unless you really enjoy plumbing on the weekends. Always install a good shut off valve between the water main and the valves. If you have a valve failure you won't need to shut the water off to the house. If you need to cut material cost buy a cheaper timer now and upgrade later.Changing the timer is less time consuming that a valve. Most manufacturers produce the commercial type sprinkler heads, and the (cheaper) homeowner style. Once again do you like plumbing on the weekend? Always us a swing joint between the fitting and the sprinkler head. It will save a lot of time if you have to replace it. I repair sprinkler systems for a living so I see the problems. I hope some of my experience wil help you in the decision process. I installed the system at my home in 1990. In 21 years I have not had to change a sprinkler head because it blew off or the gardner hit it with the lawnmower.I have changed the nozzles and sometimes the seals. They do wear out over time. The effects (wear) water has flowing through the nozzle will decrease the is efficiency and coverage.
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