might add irrigation to lawn care

First of all does your "buddy" do this proffessionally? If he is proffessional then sub this work to him maybe work with him on the project that you sub ****GET EDUCATED BEFORE WORKING ON SOMEONE ELSES YARD****if you do not it will only be problems............... Do not use these ready make kits from home stores .........These kits are crap, even from the major name manufacturers 99% of manufacturers run at least 2 lines of products one contractor grade , the other home owner or consumer grade (like mower manufacturers) consumer grade is what you are buying at hardware and home stores.........find a supplier distributer or local contractor to buy your parts (tip: I buy all my parts through a supplier that is actually 400 miles away and pay a considerable amount less for contractor grade than I would for residential grade at home/hardware store) Check local codes and regulations on irrigation installs - some places require a liscence to do this ............... almost all require licensed plumber to hook into home plumbing (this starts at around $450 here) DO NOT connect sprinkler system to outside spicket. This is not only asking for problems, it is bad form and trashy.......looks and function are very unproffessional A good start would be to check manufacturer web sites lots of information on these sites (RainBird has, or at least had, a good FREE information book on their website download pdf file - something like 500 pages, start with this read front to back)

Lawn care business tips

S.I. I agree with you. Atleast in NV here, a contractors license is required to do any installing of irrigation systems. They are pretty straight forwards though. I do tons of repairs weekly on UNR's campus. Good luck though, its profitable.

First not to toot my horn but i am an irrigation expert ask me any question regarding trouble shooting and function and i can answer it most likely. I dont use all brands but most of them i have experience with.
Contact a big irrigation supplyu house like john deere landscapes ask when they are going to have an install class. I dont install anymore but maintain sytems start up and shut down. My biggest install was 160 Rotorheads and over 1 mile of drip w/ individual emitters to over 100,000 in plant material. I was only on the irrigation. The problem w/ installs is you cant see underground. I live in NH "the granite state" so it is rocky. You can rent a pipe puller, tools are minimal until you get into wire trackers. I spent almost $1,000 on a good wire tracker. I can find a bad valve that has grass grown over the cover, i can find a wire break underground. Service is where it is at you charge port to port travel time. Parts are retail w/ 40 % discounts for wholesale. Valve wires are always getting chewed on by mice, aerators and snowplows ruin heads. Lighting strikes are the best they will fry the clock and valves. Heads will stick and get hit by mowers. Solonoids will get stuck open or closed. HOWEVER you need to install to get a good understanding of how to trouble shoot a system. If zone 5,6,7 doesnt come on is it the clock? Is it the valve? Is it the wire? Is it a crushed pipe? Whats the resistance? Do you have voltage on the clock terminal, at the valve, will the valve open manually? Is there debris between the diaphram and valve seat causing weapage? Is the sytem not working because the pressure dropped because the town is flushing fire hydrants? Is the backflow preventer working. Did some kid put a tennis ball down your 3" pipe at the athletic field causing a blockage, If someone can tell me how to upload a pdf ile to this site i will post a copy of my irrigation contract w/ costs of materials

[Steve]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the post.

To attach a file click on the add reply button and then in the new window click on the browse button.

Let me know if that helps.

[FourSeasons]

Wow. Mike you are pretty knowledgable about this business.

[Little's]

I would like to see your contract too. Thanks

[coi]

Any word on getting that contract? I am very interested in this topic and really could use a contract to work with.

Thanks

Chad

[Steve]

Something must have happened to the forum database and Mike's account got deleted some how.

I have been trying to get in touch with him.

If you are interested in this contract can you email him at Mshaw160@comcast.net and if he shares it with you can you get it up on the forum?

Thanks!

[PremierLand]

There is more money into it, and alot less overhead. However training employees that are not familiar with irrigation is more extensive than training to cut lawns.

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (PremierLand @ Feb. 11 2008,1:42)]There is more money into it, and alot less overhead. However training employees that are not familiar with irrigation is more extensive than training to cut lawns.

how much does installing irrigations systems usually cost to install for a home owner. I know it depends on the heads and misters and all. Some of my jobs run around $2,000. Also i usually get half up front to cover my costs for material and all.

So what is the average price range that they run. Some people have told me that it could run from $1,500-$10,000 or more depending on the size of the yard and materials, labor and all used.

So let me know