Very Over Looked!!!

Very curious as to why know one talks about the money that is made in irrigation. Ball valve repair, straight $75.00. Cost of replacement valve around $5, copper coupler $2, teflon/solder/mapp gas/plumbers mesh $1 per maybe, time 15min. start/finish At $50/hr - $12.50 = $20.50 - $75 = $54.50 Avg 2 per hour $109.00 per hour profit. This is just one job in many providing the repair end of iirigation. You don't even want to know what new install profit is on avg. 6 zone, done 2.5 days start/finish With 2 people. Mowing can't touch it. Any way just wondering that all. Nobody get offened, mowing been there done that and still doing it. Cost for repair equipment, miniumal to start, knowledge needed, maxiumum. Not an industry that you can make mistakes and not pay the price dearly. Not that mistakes aren't made by all, but you better learn from and hope it was a small one.Look forward to see why its not talked about much. :confused:

Keep it Simple! Always Professional!!!!!!

I have been doing Irrigation for over 15 yrs. You touched on it knowing what you are doing; the damage that can be done by one simple mistake is unbelievable!!! I have been called in to fix other peoples mistakes because they thought they knew what they were doing. It not only cost them a client but they lost all future work from that customer and anyone that they knew. The liability insurance is different, at least here in Canada, cost is more plus all the other things that go with it. If you don't know what you are doing there is the possibility of back flow problems (cryptosporidium, etc.. that can kill people). There is also more often than not design problems, most people don't know what flow pipe can carry. Static pressure/ Dynamic pressure. Pipe burn etc..... You also need to have a low voltage ticket, then you have to put the pipes down deep enough, which is at least 6-8 inches, and the electrical is 24 inches. Where I live it isn't sand digging, it is very hard work. A 6-zone system up to standers takes 2 professionals approx 3-5 days. A building or electrical inspector can shut you down for not being up to code or having the proper permits. They change the codes every so often and you need to stay up on them. It does pay well when you have a good name and you know what you are doing, that takes time. I find mowing lawns more competetive but way more relaxing.

Great post candibear. I've looked into doing irrigation for the last couple years, and it's no walk in the park. So far the best training course I've found is by Rainbird, and is costly. Not only that but it's hard to get into one of their training courses. They're usually overbooked. If anybody has good suggestions on irrigation training I'm sure there's others (besides myself) who would be very interested.

If anybody has good suggestions on irrigation training I'm sure there's others (besides myself) who would be very interested.
The best way is to contact your local TORO,HUNTER,RAINBIRD,AND NELSON Rep.Tell them what you want, they usually offer small 1-2 day courses. The Irrigation Association is also very helpful aswell. I suggest contacting all of the big 4 Irrigation company's, and get to as many seminars as you can. (Rainbird and Hunter are basicly the same, the designer for rainbird left and started hunter, that's a story in it's self). They want you to use there products, so they will be very helpful. I would personaly try to partner up with someone that has an irrigation company, we both need one another. Ask your local Rep who they recommend, just remember Toro isn't going to recommend a Rainbird installer, and vis/versa. If you can partner up with an great installer you can both profit form it. Tell your clients I cant guarentee my plants unless ABC Irrigation does the install. Make a deal with the installer and have him recommend you for all maintance and upgrades. That way you don't have to learn a new trade, and you can do what you do best get new clients.
Yes there is money in it but don't try to swim up stream, I pesonaly would not try to go from Landscaping to Irrigation. It just so happens I married a Landscaper. ;)

Thanks for the advice.

In our market service pays well. $65.00 to show up and say hello, $1.25 per min, plus parts, plus parts mark up. New install are not so profitable here. Getting about $775.00 for first zone, $675-700 ea. additional zone, boring extra if needed. Each lawn zone not to exceed 18 gpm or 6 heads @ 3 gpm. Shrub zones up to 11 pop ups. Main-line hook up, brass backflow device, digital controller all included, so speed is the name of the game.

Irrigation install is good side work, but not the main event. Just don't get the big pops you get with custom landscape design/build.

Great points on the install. The knowledge required is more than most want to invest in. I'm one of the lucky ones that learned from top notch people as well as read and learned through articles as well as who you mentioned, i.e. R.B., Toro, etc. I just put an example that pertained more to this forum, not to make lite it still requires the right know how to do it right, but is a good place to build the experience and general workings of irrigation. Although I wish there were stringent liscense qualifications in Colorado they do not exist. Insurance ? Customer Beware. Market filled with unexperienced and fly by night Co. I guess the general thought by the public for our industry as a whole is, It's not rocket science, if he can do it ,so can I. All I need is a mower and a truck, easy money. Well we all know the problems these people cause the pro worldwide, we'll leave this for yet another thread on this topic. Anyway, the knowledge to start the repair side it seems there are at least two people here that would give procedures and methods to get the interested going. Candibear has provided a small demo of knowledge that leads you to believe experienced pro, so ask a question you wish to know about repair or install, what ever and I'll gladly explain. My answer why would I trust it if I don't know irrigation? Why should you, you don't know me or have you ever heard of or seen my work. This goes for any advice being given by anyone unknown in the feild. I suggest that any pro's out there confirm or better yet go to your local contractor or parts wholesaler to insure validity. Besides the information you recieve will , if nothing else, give you a bit of know how when you ask someone else. Anyway, Is there only two people out there that perform this service and would like to talk about it. :confused:
Keep it simple! Always professional!

Hey sod buster good info on general install and prices. I'm starting to see the the eastern end of the country has higher service costs. To bad the market isn't there. Here irrigation is big due to H2O restrictions and fast paced lifestyle in the rockies. Plus the development of new housing is still booming. Beware to those who want to come here. Residential is a tough market to make the money, not that it's not there, just so many lowballers and customers that don't feel they have to pay a higher cost because of this. same for all I guess!!!!! By the way you guy's got some serious water pressure at 18gpm. And what heads do you use that only six can be used? Avg. PSI here around 55 to 65 w/ a gpm of 8 to 12. No more than 4 5000 series RB or 6 3500 series RB, both pending on nozzle selection. Pop-ups 8 max and this really depend on area to be covered and nozzle radius and throw. Remeber the building going on in your area and consider years down the road the possible drop in PSI. when you design. this is what I was talking about in the thread as big problems, well one of them anyway. Pop-ups believe it or not deliver more GPM than the rotors, there just easier to put in to operation due to psi delivered then the rotor. For all who doubt this check the specs for RB and do the design. See for your self. Area to be irrigated plays big part. lots more involved to determine, this is just a general guide that I follow as what you can use. it can certainly vary. Commercial whole different ball game. this is resi. stats. only. :) Keep'em coming people!!!!!!

Keep it Simple! Alway professional!

[QUOTE= Each lawn zone not to exceed 18 gpm or 6 heads @ 3 gpm. Shrub zones up to 11 pop ups.QUOTE]
I don't know what size pipe you your getting 18gpm out of, it sure sound like the making for pipe burn :confused: . We are limited to the pipe size 1/2 inch is 6 gal 3/4 inch is 10 gal, 1 inch is 16 gal 1 1/4 is 27 gal. These are all PVC Class 200 pipe. Here in B.C. Canada code stipulates that the system design is to keep the velocity in the pipe less than 5 ft/ sec (to stop pipe burn).
It sure pay's well were you are, here it is $425.00-$550.00 Per zone depend on time of year (Aug is our slowest month), soil, and location. Usually about $475.00 per zone, The $425.00 is making a little but usually just to keep crew working and our name out there, maybe 1-2 job's per year.
Call out is $50.00 per/hr + parts, every hour after is $35.00/ hr. Some of the other contractors are only $35.00 / hr. :eek: Would love to charge more but people would not pay. :cool:

I don't see any "pipe burning." The pipe velocity of 18 gpm in 1" pipe. 14.706 = 0.4085 x 18 / (1 x 2)

1" pipe with a static water pressure of only 50psi = 19.5 gpm. Pressure regulators are placed inside the foundation of the homes. So actual system water pressure is much greater than static pressure measured at the faucet. Static water pressure at 50 psi, but actual water pressure for irrigation system could be 100 psi. The water utilities often pressure test their systems. They notify in advance and warn the psi will be 200. So you better have a water regulator hooked up or you will have a flood in your home.

(6) 3 gpm rotors are not that big of a deal. Conservative, if it's anything at all. Our shrub pop-ups are 1.3 gpm on average depending on the nozzle degree.

This is one of our contracts and is out dated does anyone have a more professional looking one? I have been able to get away with this for years but its time was long ago and needs desperately to be update. Thanks for any input



BIG SKY SERVICES
IRRIGATION DIVISION
1234 5th ave



To: John Lockhart Date: August 18, 2004

Phone: 123-4567 Home Fax: 489-4740

RE: 1424 16th street South. IRRIGATION QUOTATION
_________ , bc
We propose to supply and install a fully automatic underground irrigation system for the above noted property as per discussions and site visits as follows:

1) Sprinkler system to be automatic with 6-zone solid-state multi program controller.
2) Solenoid electric valves to be located underground in fiberglass boxes.
3) All piping to be 200-PSI PVC.
4) All sprinklers to have basket screens and positive retraction springs for pop-ups.
5) Small turf areas, shrub and flowerbeds to have approx. 12 popup spray heads.
6) Shrub areas to be on separate zone with drip system.
7) Big Sky Services warranties all materials for two years and workmanship for a period of one year from completion.
8) All costs of backflow prevention and Provincial Sales Tax are included in price.
9) This quotation is subject to 10 gpm-unrestricted water supply.
10) Our price to supply and install as above is $ 850.00 Provincial Sales Tax is included in price. Terms: payment in full upon completion.

Terms: this quote good for 2 weeks from date above, the price is subject to change after this date due to market price fluctuations.

Thank you for the opportunity to quote a quality sprinkler system for your home. Please feel free to contact the Writer at your convenience.

Sincerely

BIG SKY SERVICES
Per:
Irrigation Specialist, cell 417-1234
Paulette Johnson, Owner

OJ:bb