How To Calculate The Cost Of Sprinkler Installation 14 Steps

Include a little padding in your budget to cover unexpected expenses.

If you have a Homeowners Association (HOA), they may have their own permitting system. Always check with them when estimating the cost of home improvement projects. When you get your permit, ask if you’ll need to get your sprinkler system inspected after it’s installed. Some governing bodies require you to have a city inspector check the system at no extra cost.

Here’s how you calculate how many zones you need: Time in seconds how long it takes to fill a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. Then, divide 300 by the number of seconds it took to fill the bucket to find your water supply flow rate. Next, check the flow rate in gallons-per-minute on the sprinkler heads you chose and multiply it by the number of sprinkler heads you plan to buy. Divide the sprinkler head flow rate by the water supply flow rate to find out how many zones you need. [4] X Research source

For example, if you buy 4 sets of valves, you’ll need 4 valve boxes. It’s a good idea to buy the same brand of valve box as the brand of valves you’re using so you know the valves will fit inside the box.

For rigid PVC pipe, you’ll pay $0. 25 per lineal foot of 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) pipe. For flexible PVC pipe, expect to pay $1. 00 per lineal foot of 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) pipe.

Generally, more expensive models have a lot more features. You might go with a cheaper model if you just want it to turn your sprinkler on and off. A higher-end model can adjust your watering schedule to match local weather patterns or soil moisture levels. Not only can this save you money on your water bill, it also provides the best growing conditions for your landscaping. [8] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source

For instance, if you plan to have 3 sprinkler zones, you’d need 15 to 30 sprinkler heads. This could cost as low as $150 or as high as $900, depending on the brand of sprinkler head you choose.

Going with an above-ground system can save you time and money because you won’t have to dig trenches.

This usually takes 2 to 3 hours at $90 to $110 per hour, so budget around $180 to $330.

Improperly hooking up your sprinkler can lead to leaks. Not only will this cost you money, but it could also result in water pooling around your property.

If your yard has a lot of slopes, the cost of sprinkler installation will increase. You’ll pay more if your soil is rocky or hard because it’s harder to dig the trenches, which adds to the labor costs. Expect to pay $0. 40 per linear foot more for harder soils. [14] X Research source Always include a little padding in your budget to cover unexpected expenses.

In general, installing the sprinkler system yourself will save you around 40% on the total cost. [16] X Research source

For 1 zone, expect to pay $500 to $1000. For 2 zones, you’ll pay $1,000 to $2,000. For 4 zones, you’ll pay $2,000 to $4,000. For 6 zones, expect to pay $3,000 to $6,000. For 7 zones, you’ll likely pay $3,500 to $7,000.

Most sprinkler installers will give you a quote for sprinkler installation for free. However, double-check when you schedule the appointment to be on the safe side.