How much does Irrigation installation cost?
Based on 3,093 real quotes from businesses in United States.
$150
TYPICAL
$675
Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.
Key takeaways
The cost of a home irrigation system depends on property size and types of equipment
Upfront costs for certain irrigation-system control features are higher, but you’ll save on water bills
Using drip irrigation where appropriate can also reduce water costs over time
A well-designed irrigation system can meet a variety of home watering needs, whether you’re growing turf grass, shrubs, flower beds, or vegetable gardens. Installing above-ground drip lines with bubblers—which deliver an exact amount of water directly to plants—is an environmentally friendly way to keep roots moist while minimizing evaporation, reducing waste, and lowering water bills.
And, when it comes to your lawn, having a built-in sprinkler system (underground water-supply tubing matched to sprinkler heads for your lawn size) eliminates the inconvenience of hauling hoses and sprinklers around.
There are other benefits to a home irrigation system: Automatic timers ensure that your lawn and plants get watered even if you’re not around to turn on the spigot. And smart controllers equipped with moisture sensors can stop water flow when it’s not needed—during or after a rainstorm, for example—which helps homeowners save money.
Proper install of a sprinkler or drip irrigation system, however, requires the expertise of a professional home irrigation specialist. This guide explains the costs of irrigation systems for your lawn and garden.
Total cost of an irrigation system
An irrigation-system pro can handle installation of both sprinkler system installation and drip irrigation systems to meet different watering requirements. Underground sprinkler systems generally cost $0.50–2.00 per square foot, installed. Above-ground drip irrigation systems cost about $1–5 per square foot.
Drip systems cost more on a square-foot basis because bubblers (which allow water to “bubble over” onto plants) and emitters (which allow water to drip onto plants) each deliver water to a very small area, so more tubing is required. For most homes, drip irrigation systems are limited to plants, such as flower beds and shrub borders.
The national average cost of a professionally installed home irrigation system that waters a quarter-acre lot (about 11,000 square feet), ranges from $3,000–3,500. A sprinkler system and drip irrigation system for a tiny, 2,500-square-foot lot might cost $500–2,000, while a system for a very large, 1-acre lot (about 44,000 square feet) might cost $6,000–10,000.
Cost factors
The following elements will affect purchase and installation costs for a new home irrigation system.
Number of zones. For irrigation purposes, a typical home’s yard is divided into 3–5 “zones,” which affects the amount of equipment installed. Each zone may have up to 9 sprinkler heads, depending on the available water pressure, water-flow rate, and type of emitters or pop-up spray heads. Irrigation pros usually charge $500–1,000 per zone, including materials and labor costs.
Soil conditions. Installation of in-ground piping may cost more on sloped, rocky properties and in areas subject to deep winter freezing, because digging is often more difficult.
Type of controller. Automatic timers, which can be programmed to water individual zones at specific times, are the most common type of controller, and cost $30–100 each. For about $100–175, you can install shutoff timers with rain sensors and moisture sensors to prevent overwatering. And for $85–300, you can install a Wi-Fi-enabled “smart irrigation controller,” which allowed remote control of the sprinkler system with a smartphone.
Permits. Most municipalities require a permit to install an automatic irrigation system. In some cases, a licensed landscape architect must file plans showing that irrigation lines will be fitted with a backflow preventer, which protects against contamination of a home’s water supply. Your plumbing contractor will typically take care of this, but you’ll be responsible for fees ranging from $35–200.
FAQs
What’s the average cost to put in an irrigation system?
The average national cost for a professionally installed home irrigation system that provides both garden and lawn care on a quarter-acre lot ranges from $3,000–3,500.
How much does it cost to install a sprinkler system?
Professional installation costs for a quarter-acre lot are typically $2,000–4,500. Tailored garden and lawn irrigation for a half-acre property usually costs $3,500–6,500, and the average price range for a 1-acre property is $6,000–10,000.
Can I install a sprinkler system myself?
A new sprinkler system costs less if you install it yourself, but it’s only for handy homeowners who are willing to do some hard work. Keep in mind that most towns require a permit to install an automatic sprinkler system, with permit fees ranging from $35–200. Codes require plans showing that in-ground sprinkler lines will be fitted with a backflow preventer to protect contamination of a home’s water supply. In most cases, obtaining a permit requires a licensed landscape architect.
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Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.
How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?
Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.
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