Generally, the sprinkler system cost varies. The average sprinkler installation cost ranges between 1000$ for a smaller lawn and 3600$ for a quarter acre yard, depending on the lawn size, the sprinkler type, along with the number of watering zones. Lot size, layout water pressure and sprinkler selection can further impact the final cost.
Let us understand each cost factor in a better manner.
Sprinkler System Cost: A Brief Analysis
There are two main types of lawn sprinklers.
Above-ground and Underground Sprinklers
Above-ground Sprinklers
Above-ground sprinklers are easy to install, cost-effective, and take less time to be installed.They can be stationary, rotating, oscillating, or pulsating based on their mode of sprinkling.
Stationary lawn sprinklers:
Stationary lawn sprinklers have a wider spraying area and come in handy for watering large lawns. Depending on the stationary sprinkler nozzle, they can cost 26.99$ to 30$ per head.
Rotary Sprinklers:
Rotary Sprinklers deliver water in rotating streams and cost 5$ to $320 per sprinkler.
Oscillating Sprinklers and Pulsating sprinklers:
Oscillating Sprinklers spread in a fan-like pattern and range from 10$ to 150$ while Pulsating sprinklers can cost between 1199$ to 1995$.
Traveling Sprinklers:
Other than conventional above-ground lawn sprinklers installed in one place, traveling sprinklers are other above-ground water irrigation methods that move around the garden and spray water along its travel path.
While classic traveling sprinklers can range from 40$ to 90$, newer models can go up to 3500$.
Despite their wide range of applications, a major drawback of above-ground sprinklers is the high water pressure, which,when too high, can damage the grass and impact the soil.
Underground Sprinklers:
In contrast, Drip or underground sprinklers offer a customized water flow based on a network of tubes and pipes placed below the earth’s surface.
They are designed with valves that control the water flow through the system. Because of the targeted watering, considerably less water is wasted,and each plant gets the ground moisture as per its requirements.
The underground sprinkler system cost depends chiefly on the size of your lawn along with your location which will impact the water bill.
New sprinkler system cost can further be impacted by the installation method as professional installation will cost considerably more than DIY.
Understanding your land size will provide a better estimation of the underground sprinkler system cost. While the average rates can range from 2400$ to 4200$, it can go up to 10000$ for larger lawns over one acre.
Most importantly, a total of zones, labor inclusion, permit, and trench digging will determine the overall irrigation system cost.
Irrespective of ground status, the size of the lawn plays a major role in determining the overall cost.
Say, for example, a lawn size of 1/8 acre or 5445 square feet sprinkler system installation can cost 1090$ to 1635$. A ¼ acre or 10,890 square feet has an almost twice installation cost of 2180$ to 3270$. A lawn size of one acre can go up to 9000$ to 13000$.
Having an idea of the lawn size helps evaluate the number of watering zones which in turn help determine the other cost factors to a considerable extent.
Number of watering zones
Watering zones or irrigation zones are the areas in the lawn or garden connected to the same valve. Simply put, they are a group of sprinklers watering a specific zone from one valve.
The cost of sprinkler depends to a significant extent on the number of watering zones with the understanding that each zone can accommodate five to ten sprinklers that have a watering radius of approx. Fifteen feet.
Most irrigation systems have six to nine watering zones with the specific numbers of which depend on your lawn size and water source pumping out the water through them.
Water Zone Wise: Sprinkler System Cost
A single zone sprinkler cost varies from 500$ to 1000$ while that of a double zone sprinkler ranges from 1000$ to 2000$. A four-zone sprinkler system costs 2000$ to 4000$ while the cost for a seven-zone sprinkler system can range from 3500$ to 7000$.
Home irrigation system cost is a miscellaneous factor comprising the cost of watering zones, water supply, and the region you are in, and the size and type of garden lawn you have in mind for your property. Most importantly, the system requires care and maintenance that can rack up labor costs. Instead of DYing the setup, it would be best to get professional help to take care of the installation and look into the care and maintenance.
In large yards or lawns, more than one acre, watering manually with sprinklers might be difficult and also time consuming. So, you can take the advantages of using the best zero turn lawn mowers with a high capacity sprinkler solution for an effective result.
