Taking care of your grounds is important to maintaining a good looking property. Whether you are going for a healthy lawn, just trying to keep your business looking good or maintaining a football field, there are many good reasons to install a sprinkler system. The big question is, how much is it going to cost?
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How Big Is Your Lawn
A sprinkler system can either be priced by the square foot, or it can be priced by zones. A sprinkler zone is an area where up to 10 sprinkler heads will be running at the same time. Average costs can run about a dollar a square foot according to http://www.costowl.com/home-improvement/landscaping-sprinkler-system.html. However, a larger yard doesn’t mean higher costs. It all depends on how much plumbing you need to install. A great way to lower your cost is to simply place sprinklers in zones that you need water to go to. If there are portions of your lawn that don’t need water, you can simply ignore it and save time and money.
What Are The Maintenance Costs
Every system is going to require some routine maintenance in order to keep it running smoothly. Most sprinkler systems are going to need replacement parts such as valves and sprinkler heads. All told, average costs to replace your parts will run you about 750 dollars. This maintenance should be done whenever you notice wear and tear, or your water pressure doesn’t seem like it is where it should be. Pipes may also have to be replaced from time to time. Weather conditions in your area are going to have a major influence as to whether or not your maintenance are going to be higher than you would like.
Can I Do It Myself
There are kits you can buy to install your own sprinkler system. However, make sure that you are aware of underground obstacles like gas lines. If you are not totally confident in your ability to navigate these hassles, it might be easier to hire a professional. Professional installation will only take a couple of days and will save you a lot of hassle.
What Else Should I Consider When Installing A System
Keep in mind that you are going to have to do some repair work to your yard if you are going to install a new system. There will be trenches dug which means that you will have to factor in the costs of grass seed and other lawn care. According to http://www.orbitonline.com/blog/ you might also need backflow certification. This can mean professional installation and as much as 300 dollars or more in extra costs.
Climate And Soil Type Matter
Also keep in mind that depending on what climate you live in, you might need to dig bigger trenches to keep the pipes warm enough for the winter. Your soil type can also make it harder to dig down to where the pipe needs to be installed. This can make for a more costly installation of your sprinkler system. If you are curious as to what your estimated costs might be you can check http://www.orbitonline.com/sprinkler-system-designer/ for a free quote.
Wrap-Up
Installing a sprinkler system can be a great investment in your property. Just keep in mind that there are many different ways to price your system and many variables that will affect the price. If you live in upstate New York and have a 6,000 square foot yard you could be paying more than a 1,000 square foot lot in Florida. Professional installation may be costly, but it could be required, and tends to make more sense in the long run.
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