Having an automatic irrigation system can not only increase your home’s value but also make your life easier when it comes to tending to your outdoor living space.
You’ll never have to drag out hoses and sprinklers each time you need to water your yard. But you may wonder how much an irrigation system costs and whether it’s worth the price.
How Much Does an Irrigation System Cost?
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The price of an irrigation system depends on the size of the lawn and what your needs are.
If you’re handy enough to do the work yourself, it’ll cost about $500. Expect to spend an average of $2,500 for a professional installation on a 1/5-acre property.
However, some systems require more work and cost upwards of $4,600 or more. If you’re handy around the house, you may be comfortable installing the system in your spare time.
Many irrigation suppliers can provide you with the supplies you need if you give them an outline of your property, water pressure, and other simple information.
Ideally, you can cut your irrigation system’s cost in half by digging the trenches yourself and installing the system without a professional’s help.
If you’re confident that you can complete the job, your irrigation system cost may only be around $1,200. But it’s often way too much work for a homeowner to do on his own.
The Benefits of an Irrigation System
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Whether you’re doing the job yourself or hiring a professional, there are several benefits to having an irrigation system.
Knowing how it can benefit your yard may make the decision easier if you’re on the fence about purchasing one for your home. These common benefits include:
- Time savings
- Decreased water consumption
- Hassle-free operation
- Increased property values
It Saves Time
When you have an active irrigation system, you’ll save a significant amount of time. You’ll no longer have to drag out a hose and sprinkler each time you need to water your lawn.
In addition, if your yard space is large, your entire yard can receive watering simultaneously rather than relocating a manual sprinkler around the area.
It Saves Money
Irrigation systems can last for dozens of years. Stretch out the cost over that many years, and the annual cost is very low.
You’ll no longer have to worry about replacing broken plastic sprinklers or hoses that have holes in them every year.
Additionally, they’re very efficient, resulting in significant savings on your utility bills.
It Helps Your Lawn and Yard Look Better
One of the best ways to keep your lawn and yard looking great is to install an irrigation system. They are effective ways to give your vegetation the moisture it need.
With an automatic timer, you just set up the watering schedule and forget about it. No more brown grass because you went out of town or forgot to water.
It Saves Water
Irrigation systems are designed to water your lawn and vegetation effectively without wasting water.
If you’re concerned about water consumption, installing one will make all the difference in how well your plants and lawn receive water without overwatering.
Irrigation systems allow you to choose an assortment of sprinkler heads to water your lawn as well as greenery around your yard.
This way, all of your outdoor vegetation will receive an adequate amount of water. In addition, this variance happens all without you having to do it manually.
It Adds Value to Your Home
When it comes time to sell your home, having an irrigation system will help add value and make it more appealing to potential buyers.
If you want to make your life easier now and invest in your home, an irrigation system is a worthwhile investment.
Automatic irrigation systems add attractive curb appeal to a home, making it more enticing for the housing market.
Any upgrades and additional items like these are an excellent investment, and you won’t be sorry you chose to install one.
Things to Consider
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When exploring the total irrigation system costs, some elements will affect how much you’ll pay and if it is an effective solution for your home. Some factors include:
- The style and type of system
- If you have a sloping yard or low and high areas of land,
- Frequency of use
- Conditioner of your soil
The Style and Type of System
Most traditional irrigation systems are surface setups where sprinklers will rise out of the ground to water your lawn. They are the least expensive option if you have a common area that will allow for this style.
A drip irrigation system, also known as microsprays, requires slow and controlled watering of your plants. This style is beneficial for individual plants that require specific watering needs rather than an entire lawn area.
For yards with slopes, a furrow irrigation system works best. This is because they use water channels and gravity to carry water down a field.
However, a furrow system is ideal and the most cost-effective solution for uneven areas in a large yard.
Rotor systems are similar to traditional sprinklers, but they have more control over the direction of the spray. These styles release water slowly, like a drip system, making them practical for large areas.
Sloping Yards or Low and High Areas of Land
The way your land sits will determine the drainage or pooling of any excess water if you overwater.
When you use a traditional sprinkler and hose, you may notice some low-lying areas collect and pool water while others do not receive enough since gravity takes it downhill.
Installing an irrigation system can help you combat these troublesome issues and keep all of your yard looking green and healthy.
Additionally, you can avoid having overwatered areas with pools of water and higher levels that aren’t getting enough, even when you’re watering regularly.
Frequency of Use
Irrigation systems can be a terrific investment for your home and yard, but only if you use them correctly.
If you do not use it to water your yard often, or it seems unnecessary to use it frequently, it won’t be worth the total cost of installation.
The easier it is to water your lawn and vegetation, the more often you use the irrigation system.
However, if it is complex or confusing to do, you may find that you won’t use it often, and it would not be worth the additional costs.
Soil condition
The soil condition in your yard space will determine what type of sprinkler heads will work best. For example, plastic head models may be fine for some soft areas.
But with rocky or sandy soil, you may want to choose stainless steel for durability. As to be expected, plastic sprinkler heads will be less expensive than stainless steel models.
However, they won’t be as durable either, and you may need to replace them sooner for breakage or to wear them sooner than stainless steel ones.
If you have an extensive irrigation system, replacing several dozen sprinkler heads can quickly add up to your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is an irrigation system worth the cost?
An irrigation system can be worth the cost, but only if you've it installed correctly and use it as intended.
These automatic systems should save you time and money and allow you to focus on other areas of your yard and home.
However, if your irrigation system causes you problems continuously or is a style that's not optimal for your yard, it may not be worth the cost.
How long do irrigation systems last?
A professionally installed irrigation system can last you upwards of 20 years or more. This length of time will depend on regular care and maintenance, as with any household addition.
Checking the system monthly for leaks and pressure will help maintain proper operation without issues.
Are Irrigation System Costs Worth Paying?
If you want to make your outdoor yard work more manageable, save money, and conserve water all at the same time, you should be looking at the cost of the irrigation system as an investment.
This automatic watering system can help keep your yard looking green and healthy while saving you money on water consumption.
Granted, many individuals may want to do the hard work themselves and install a basic system independently. This method can be a lot less expensive than having a professional complete the job.
However, if you have any sloping in your yard or require different types of sprinkler heads, you may opt to hire a company to install your irrigation system. This method will save you time, energy, and stress from tackling it yourself.