Resources
Irrigation Consumer Handbook
The Irrigation Association® has developed this guide to help property owners through the process of installing, upgrading and maintaining
an irrigation system.
Credits
For help in preparing this material, the Irrigation Association would like to
thank:
- Carolinas Irrigation Association
- Timothy Malooly, CIC, CLIA, president Irrigation by Design, Inc., Plymouth
MN
Disclaimer
This information is meant to be instructional and to provide information to
assist the consumer in choosing a professional irrigation contractor. The information
is believed to be accurate. The Irrigation Association and The Carolinas Irrigation
Association assume no responsibility for any damage that arises from any action
based on information found in this publication. Questions regarding civil law
and the civil court system should be addressed to an attorney.
A well-designed, properly installed and appropriately maintained irrigation system can
be the most efficient way to keep a landscape healthy.
The benefits of an automatic irrigation system
include:
- reduced labor for watering
- convenience
- full landscape coverage
- easy control over irrigation timing for overnight or early-morning watering
- added value to your home or business property
- minimized plant loss during drought
The irrigation industry is rapidly developing new technology to make irrigation
more efficient. "Smart" technology, like systems with flow-control nozzles,
climate-based controllers and automatic shutoffs are beneficial and even required
for irrigation systems in some areas.
With irrigation systems that deliver exactly the right amount of water at
the right time to lawn, plants and trees, you can be assured of environmentally
sound and efficient results. The irrigation industry offers reliable options
and affordable technology for water conservation and efficient water distribution
to protect landscaping investments.
Do I Need an Irrigation Designer?
Created with help from Tim Malooly, president Irrigation Consultants and
Control, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Irrigation designers evaluate site conditions and prepare professional irrigation
plans to meet the needs of an individual project. The designer chooses the most
effective irrigation equipment and design methods for the site and individual
project requirements. The designer establishes specifications and design drawings
for the construction of an irrigation project, the way an architect creates
a building design.
Irrigation designers have been employed for many years in golf course planning,
but in recent decades designers have been called upon more often for large commercial
and residential irrigation projects.
An IA Certified Irrigation Designer (CID):
- has a broad knowledge of complex projects
- is equipped to work closely with a landscape architect to match precisely
the irrigation requirements with plant materials
- has a broad knowledge of products and applications that could be
used in an irrigation design
- will design efficient water-conserving system
- will be knowledgeable about emerging technology that might enhance water
conservation and irrigation efficiency
- can interact professionally among the landscape architect, the owner
and the installing irrigation contractor, making sure the installation meets
design specifications
IA Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) or IA Landscape Irrigation Manager
(CLIM)
If your project isn't large enough to use an independent irrigation designer,
look for an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), or a CIC who is also a
CID. Additionally, an IA Certified
Landscape Irrigation Manager (CLIM) has both certifications (CIC and CID), as
well as other credentials. Search
Certified
Professionals.
How to Hire an Irrigation Contractor
Adapted from materials created by the Carolinas Irrigation Association
Whether you are searching for a professional irrigation contractor to install
a system or to service an existing system, any professional you consider should
have certain qualifications to do your work. The bottom line is that you are
not just buying an irrigation system, but you are also buying the services of
a contractor. Your job is to find the professional to do the work that will
satisfy you. Use this guide along with questions on the IA
Irrigation
Consumer Bill of Rights.
Insurance
Reputable irrigation professionals will carry appropriate insurance policies
to protect you and your property. The insurance policies are critical to your
future. You could lose your home or business if something happens and your contractor
isn't insured. Expect these minimums from a professional irrigation contractor:
- A worker's compensation insurance policy. This protects you from
potential liability if one of the contractor's workers is hurt on your property
while on the job. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign a contract.
This simple step will put you on the insurance company's notification list
in case the contractor's insurance should be cancelled.
- A general liability insurance policy. As a general rule, liability
policies should have limits of between $300,000 and $500,000 for residential
work and at least $1 million for commercial work. This insurance helps protect
you in case of unforeseen disasters such as flooding, landslides or other
calamities caused by the contractor's work. Again, ask for a certificate
of insurance.
- Automobile insurance. This provides another element of liability
protection in case one of the contractor's vehicles is involved in an accident
on your property. You may want to ask for a certificate of insurance.
Certification, Training, Memberships and Licensing
A contractor should readily provide information about professional certifications,
training and required licensing. Licensed and certified professionals are likely
to proudly display evidence of their professional activities. If not, you should
ask.
- Certification through a reputable institution shows a contractor
has demonstrated basic knowledge and skills required to do a job. Contractors
with IA certification have taken training and/or passed exams that demonstrate
in-depth knowledge of their field. Annual renewal and continuing education
is required to maintain IA certification.
- Evidence of training. Contractors should provide evidence of
valid training. Even without certification, you are looking for evidence
that a contractor can do quality work. Training is offered through professional
organizations, like the IA, through equipment manufacturers and colleges or
trade schools. IA classes are widely recognized in the industry and are
not brand-specific.
- Employee certifications and continuing education. The contractor
should offer evidence that individuals in the contractor's employment have
been properly trained in installation and maintenance. Look for certification
appropriate to the work you will have done. The contractor should be able
to assure you the work will be done by competent, trained individuals.
- Safety training and employee education programs. What programs
does the contractor have to ensure a safe workplace and to train employees
so they can improve their capabilities? Professional contractors will have
programs like this to foster pride and company loyalty. Ask your contractor
what the firm does to encourage employee education and safety.
- Business license. A contractor must at minimum have a basic business
license to work in any jurisdiction.
- Other licenses. Some states and/or local governments require
licensing for irrigation contractors, but many do not. Additional licenses
may be required for irrigation contractors to do basic plumbing and electrical
work required for the job. Check with your local government for contractor
requirements and a list of contractors licensed to work in your community.
Note: Licensing and certification are different. Some jurisdictions
require licensing, but licensing doesn't always involve training or certification.
In some cases licenses are issued to contractors who simply pay a fee to the
local government. In other areas, training and/or certification are required
for licensing. Check with your local government. And ask your contractor specifically
whether licenses held required passage of certification exams or training.
- Association and trade organization membership. Belonging to a professional
organization implies a commitment to furthering the industry and keeping
up with technological changes and standards for irrigation.
References and Portfolios
All professional contractors should be expected to prove to you their
track record of accomplishment. Here's what you'll find offered as evidence of
professionalism:
- A portfolio of past work. You may be shown a portfolio or a professionally
produced brochure that displays the contractor's work.
- References. Expect the contractor to provided references and
examples of completed projects. The names and telephone numbers of references
will be provided for you to call. These property owners should be able to
attest to their satisfaction with the contractor's work within the budget.
Ideally, that budget will be in the same range as your own. In some instances,
the contractor may protect the privacy of some clients by asking them to
call you. In addition, the contractor should be able to arrange for a tour
of properties completed by the contractor. Stopping by a job-in-progress
can be informative, too.
How Will You Be Inconvenienced?
Plan ahead for inconvenience. Irrigation installation creates change
and activity on your property as well as an efficient system. How will you be
inconvenienced? Will your pet have to be boarded? What will have to be moved
out of the way during construction and for how long? Find out in advance.
Behavior and Appearance
How the contractor behaves and appears will be a good indication of how smoothly
and professionally your job will go.
- Telephone etiquette. Look for contractors who promptly and politely
return your calls and arrive on time for meetings. The professional contractor
will be on time for the first appointment and every appointment thereafter.
- Professional appearance. The visual image the contractor presents
should be appropriate. Neat, clean and professional appearance indicates
pride and professionalism.
- Well-maintained equipment. The contractor should arrive in a
well-maintained vehicle. Often it will be a truck. Age is not a factor.
Pride in appearance is. Look for the company name and logo and an association
logo.
Proposals
Get a written proposal. A professional contractor will provide a written
proposal. Every aspect of the job should be described in detail, have a dollar
amount attached to it and include warranty terms and a scaled plan. The more
detailed the proposal, the better. Remember, the lowest price isn't always the
best. You want to choose the best proposal based on all factors.
The proposal should be broken down into subsections with quantities, sizes
and brands specified. All preparatory and finish work should be included as
should the amounts and the brands of irrigation equipment. Compare proposals
point-by-point.
Look for a contractor with the greatest ability to provide outstanding site
management and consistent quality in all phases of the job. Your proposal package
should contain copies of licenses, insurance policies and a list of references.
Request that proposals follow design specifications and meet requirements of
your local water board.
Bonding
Bonding is rarely necessary except in certain government or large commercial
projects where either law or financing conditions require it.
Contracts
Your contract is a guarantee of professional work and a statement specifying
mutually agreed upon standards. Insist on a written contract for your protection
no matter what the amount. After the contract is signed, any changes you and
the contractor agree to make in the work or materials to be used must be in
writing. This written "change order" must also include any additions or reductions
in the total job price. Here's a list of basic elements you'll find in most
irrigation contracts.
- Specific costs of materials to be installed
- Specified start date and an estimated completion date
- Statement regarding payments arrangements such as down payment,
progress payment and balance due
- The name, street address and telephone number of the contractor
- Complete description of the work to be done and materials to be used
(including quantities and brands of irrigation equipment)
- Guarantees of work and materials
- Statement that the contractor will do any necessary cleanup and
removal of debris after the job is completed
- "Notice to Owner" explaining the state's mechanic's lien laws and
the ways to protect yourself and your property
- "Notice of Cancellation" informing you that you have three days
after signing the contract to cancel it
- Statement requiring the contractor to provide proper lien releases
for suppliers
- Validation of any required license and certificates of insurance,
not just copies
- Statement that the work will meet the standards specified in the
contract
Customer Service
Expect to be told that the contractor will want to know about any problems or
concerns today, tomorrow or a year from tomorrow. The contractor you want to
hire will still be here years from now.
When the Job's Done
Expect quality workmanship and a well-organized project from beginning to end.
In addition, a professional will estimate a completion date in such a way that
the project may well be done ahead of the set date. A professional will compensate
for unforeseeable events.
Even though in work clothes, company employees should have pride in their
appearance and their firm. Work crews may be uniformed or easily identifiable
in some other way.
When the Job Finishes
Expect to be told that your irrigation system is fully guaranteed for parts
and labor for a full year. This is the industry standard. The same language
should also be in your contract.
Expect a final walk-through prior to final payment.
Expect full instructions on how to care for the system and how to use the
mechanical components of your system such as controllers and timers. Do not
expect seasonal reprogramming of timers or periodic adjustment of nozzles once
they have been properly set and/or adjusted upon job completion unless it's
part a separate maintenance agreement.
Water Management
Water use and management are important issues. More communities are moving toward
rewarding or requiring new irrigation systems to include more water-wise features.
The contractor you hire must be sensitive to the realities of water in your
area. The contractor should know how to manage water and install an irrigation
system that will provide you with the look you want while minimizing your use
of water. Don't settle for a contractor who isn't top-notch in water management.
How to Spot a Nonprofessional Contractor
- A nonprofessional won't be listening to your needs.
- Nonprofessional telephone communications. Coarse telephone manners and
failing to return calls indicate the type of response you will get on your
project.
- Failure to show up for meetings on time. Maybe your work won't get done
on time either.
- Unprofessional appearance. Inappropriate clothing and/or dirty or poorly
maintained vehicles. Even smaller contractors who get out in the field regularly
will take the time to tidy up before an appointment.
- Disorganized bids that fail to include specific details. Bids should
be legible and easy to understand.
- Someone who gives you unrealistic prices. If it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is.
- Belittling another contractor's work. A professional should never belittle
another contractor or his or her work.
- Suggesting that you don't need a permit. In the event a permit is needed
for your project, sometimes nonprofessional operators will try to get your
okay to forego obtaining the permit. Don't give your permission. Even though
permit inspections are often lax, the contractor should obtain all required
permits.
- Offering to do construction work that is outside of the scope of the
work for which the contractor was hired.
Warning Signs
Bidding that fails to meet design specifications. To cut costs, some
contractors will substitute brands, sizes or quantities that may not conform
to those specified in the design. You may be told this will save you money,
but more often than not it compromises the integrity of the design plan - something
you have already purchased to insure you have a professional irrigation system.
Any deviation from the plans should be clearly identified as an additive or
deductive alternative.
Unwillingness to accept site inspection by the plan designer. Site
inspections should be readily accepted.
The sales pitch. If much of what you hear from the contractor sounds like
a sales pitch for things you don't want or that don't meet your needs, back
off. A true professional will spend more time listening than selling. The contractor
who does the best job listening to and proposing solutions to your needs is
often the contractor to hire.
The Nice Guy. Sometimes it seems like an easy choice. You select the contractor
that you think is just a nice guy. Beware of the nice guy if he or she doesn't
meet the criteria for professional operations set forth in this guide. The real
definition of a nice guy is the contractor who provides you with a quality,
professional job for a fair price.
Disclaimer: The information in the Consumer Handbook, including
How to Hire
an Irrigation Contractor is meant to be instructional and to provide information
to assist the consumer in choosing a professional irrigation contractor. The
information is believed to be accurate. The Irrigation Association and The Carolinas
Irrigation Association assume no responsibility for any damage that arises from
any action that is based on information that is found in this publication. Questions
regarding civil law and the civil court system should be addressed to an attorney.
As much thought should be given to maintenance as to installation of an irrigation
system. Maintenance protects your investment. Look for proposals that include
a maintenance plan and upgrades. Maintenance specifications should include scheduling
intervals, seasonal adjustments and winterization practices.
Proper maintenance and scheduling are an important part of an efficient system.
Make sure you understand maintenance and scheduling requirements for your system.
Here are tips for reducing the cost of operating and maintaining an automatic
irrigation system:
- Know how to run your irrigation controller and change watering times.
- Adjust the watering times (number of minutes) and the frequency of watering
(daily, twice a week, etc.) based on weather conditions.
- Change your settings to adjust for seasonal differences and reset the
timer when needed.
- Ask your contractor to install an inexpensive rain shutoff device or
soil moisture sensor.
- Regularly have a certified irrigation auditor check for leaks, broken
heads and other problems.
- Make sure the maintenance contractor is certified and licensed (if required),
is insured, experienced and reputable and is legally authorized to maintain
irrigation systems in your area.
- Only water after the sun has gone down or in the early morning.
- Make sure your spray and sprinkler heads are properly adjusted to avoid
watering pavements and other non-landscape areas.
- Water areas in the shade about 30 percent less than sunny areas.
- If possible use drip irrigation to water trees and shrubs.
- To eliminate runoff, set your clock to cycle 2-4 start times (no longer
than 5 minutes each), 1 to 2 hours apart to allow water to soak into the
soil. For example: water three times for 5 minutes, instead of 15 minutes
all at once.
- Develop a separate drip watering schedule for trees, shrubs and flower
beds.
- Aerate in the spring and fall to loosen soil and reduce runoff.
The Irrigation Association began its certification programs to help homeowners
and businesses identify qualified and competent irrigation contractors and designers.
When you hire a professional certified by the IA, you are hiring someone
who is experienced, trained and working to meet irrigation industry standards.
Certified irrigation specialists must first have a certain level of experience
and/or training. They must then pass a comprehensive exam covering general irrigation
subjects as well as specialty areas and agree to follow a code of ethics. To
maintain active certification, specialists must take continuing education classes.
You may verify that an irrigation professional is currently certified (or
find an IA certified professional) by visiting
Certified
Professionals. Or call the IA office at 703-536-7080 (Mon-Fri ET), if you
have questions concerning the status of a prospective contractor.
How to Recognize and Locate a Certified Professional
IA certified individuals identify themselves with initials signifying their
certifications after their name. For example, John Doe, CIC, CID is a Certified
Irrigation Contractor and a Certified Irrigation Designer.
Companies are not certified, but individual owners and employees can hold
a variety of certifications. If you're not certain, ask the contractor or designer
who provided his certification and what was required to receive the certification.
To locate or confirm active IA certified individuals, visit
Certified
Professionals.
Certification is a valuable tool when evaluating the person that will do
your work. Below are descriptions of certifications offered by the IA to help
you hire an irrigation professional that will best meet your needs.
Below are descriptions of IA certifications and what they stand for to help
you make sense of the alphabet soup you may find when you are searching for
a qualified irrigation professional.
Irrigation Specialists
- Certified Irrigation Contractor
The Certified Irrigation Contractor is an irrigation professional whose
primary business is the execution of contracts or subcontracts to install,
repair and maintain irrigation systems. The CIC must meet the specifications and requirements of
the project contract.
- Certified Irrigation Designer
The Certified Irrigation Designer engages in the preparation of professional
irrigation designs. The CID evaluates site conditions and determines net
irrigation requirements based on the needs of the project. The designer
is then responsible for the selection of the most effective irrigation equipment
and design methods. The objective of a CID is to establish specifications
and design drawings for the construction of an irrigation project.
- Certified Landscape Irrigation Manager
The Certified Landscape Irrigation Manager is an irrigation professional
familiar with all areas of turf irrigation design and construction management.
A CLIM must be certified as a CIC, CID (in all Landscape/Turf specialty
areas), and either as a CLIA or CGIA. Certified Landscape Irrigation Managers
have extensive experience in design, construction, construction management
and auditing of turf irrigation systems.
Irrigation Technicians
- Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist
The Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist is involved in the management
and operation of on-farm irrigation systems. These systems include surface
irrigation methods, as well as pressurized systems like micro-irrigation
and sprinklers.
- Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor
A Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor is involved in the analysis of turf
irrigation water use tailored to the unique conditions found on golf courses.
Golf Auditors collect site data, make maintenance recommendations and perform
water audits on golf courses. Through their analytical work at the site,
these irrigation professionals develop base schedules for greens/tees, fairways
and roughs.
- Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
The Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor is involved in the analysis of
landscape irrigation water use. Auditors collect site data, make maintenance
recommendations and perform water audits. Through their analytical work
at the site, these irrigation professionals develop irrigation base schedules.
Certified
Professionals To locate or confirm active IA certified individuals
Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights Read before you meet
with prospective contractors
Turf/Landscape Irrigation
Best Management Practices (BMPs)