Finding the Right Sprinkler Contractor With so many options in today’s crowded market place, it is not easy to choose the right lawn sprinkler contractor for your job. Here are some of the more common questions I get from customers regarding new sprinklers and irrigation systems. I hope my answers and my experiences provide you with useful information. Five Common Mistakes Homeowners Can Make in Choosing a Sprinkler Contractor Come and Go—like other home building and remodeling businesses, the sprinkler industry has contractors who are irresponsible. They do shoddy work with inferior materials. Family or friends—in some situations friends or family members may be your first choice for installing a new sprinkler system. Ask yourself this question, “What recourse will I have if the job is not done to my satisfaction? You want to make sure you have professional quality for your home. Certified work—many sprinkler contractors do not include licensed plumbers and certified electrical work in their bids. Many cities are now beginning to require both certifications for installing a sprinkler system. Few references—a good sprinkler contractor will furnish you with a list of references you can call about to check on their work. Make the calls and be skeptical of contractors who do not provide you with a reference list. Extremely high bid—an extremely high bid usually means the sprinkler contractor has plenty of work. They are busy and may not have the time to devote to your project. Ask them when they can do the work? Five Misconceptions about Sprinkler Systems Here are five common misconceptions in the sprinkler industry. Materials are Materials—a sprinkler head is not a sprinkler head! There are reasons why one sprinkler head costs more than another sprinkler head. Buying the cheapest materials is not always the best investment in your home. Make sure your sprinkling contractor explains the pluses and minuses of your choices. Contractors are Contractors—as in any professional industry, some contractors are skilled in some areas; others are skilled in other areas. You want to choose your sprinkling contractor based on their expertise to get your job done on your schedule. Maintenance Free—your new sprinkling system will save you many hours of dragging hoses across your yard. However, a sprinkling system does require winterization and spring start up maintenance. More is Better—over watering can cause mold and fungus on your grass. Be careful not to have too many sprinkler heads installed or programming too much water for your lawn. Paying in Advance—you will be asked to pay for some materials in advance. But you should not be expected to pay the complete bill before the work has been completed. Results You Should Expect From Your Sprinkler Contractor Here are five results you should expect from a good sprinkler contractor. Attention to detail-Clean up is one of the biggest complaints about sprinkler contractors. Expect the workers to clean up their tools, stay organized and treat your home as if it was theirs own. Easy to operate Controller--You purchase a sprinkler system to make it easy and convenient to water your lawn. Expect the Controller that comes with your sprinkler systems to be easy and convenient to operate. This is the heart of your sprinkler system. Excellence in work standards-you have a right to expect quality work. If you have any concerns about quality, schedule a time with your sprinkler contractor to review your concerns. Do this sooner rather than later. Free Time--a new sprinkling system will free up a great deal of time you are now spending on watering your grass. A good sprinkling system will provide the appropriate amount of water on a regular basis to ensure the green grass you want. Adds Value to Your Home--adding a sprinkler system to your home improves the value of your home. Houses with sprinkler systems sell for higher dollars. For More Information For more information on how you can find qualified sprinkler contractors, please call me at 651-402-4992. I will be happy to provide additional information about a sprinkler system for your home, Dale Hurt 2013 | 
