Are you looking for ways to maintain landscaping on your commercial property—without spending weekends switching sprinkler heads and moving hoses?

If you’ve got great landscaping on your properties, there’s nothing more painful than watching bushes, shrubs, and trees suffer from drought or extreme weather. Instead of enduring the pain and cost of landscape replacement, it’s important to install an irrigation system.

In our state, drought, flooding, and soil erosion are troubling issues. As a property owner, you may be wondering how much it costs to put in an irrigation system. 

Let’s roll up our sleeves and look at this now.

What’s The Cost Breakdown? 

Several factors contribute to the costs of installing an irrigation system on your property. The main things to consider are square footage, site conditions, slope, microclimates, water pressure, and varieties of irrigation systems. 

Square Footage

How large is your property? The rule of thumb is: the larger the property, the higher the cost. Talk with your landscaper to get accurate measurements. Your landscaper can calculate the measurements so you have a clear starting point for estimates.

Site Conditions

Each property has different conditions. For instance, you may have a building on concrete. If your irrigation firm needs to drill under sidewalks, concrete, brick, or rock, this will add to the overall cost.

Site Slope

Is your property on a hillside, slope, or incline? As a general guideline, the greater the slope, the greater the cost. Extreme hills may require additional trenching. Further, slopes can cause problems with water pressure. 

Microclimates

Within your property, you may have several different microclimates. One portion of the property may be in full shade, while another gets full sunshine. Talk with your landscape firm to get a sense of the variety of designs that will be needed to correctly irrigate each portion of your property.

Choices of Irrigation System

Once you’ve determined the site requirements, it’s easier to make choices regarding water pressure, meter size, controller type, and wiring.

The big considerations are between a conventional system and a two-wire system. It is simpler than you might imagine. 

A conventional system connects each valve to the controller. This often requires a lot of wiring and installation work. A two-wire system only needs to connect one end of the system to the controller. 

Many property owners prefer to have a smart controller. This is easier to manage and can be accessed remotely. If you don’t want the hassle of manual checking, talk with your landscape firm about the features of a smart controller and/or a two-wire system. 

This type of system also makes it easier for your contractor to control the system when it needs seasonal servicing or be shut down.

You may spend a little more money to install it, but you’ll save hours of sweat and worries in the long run.

Evaluating Different Systems

Each type of system has different features, upgrade options, and costs. 

The two most common systems are spray and drip irrigation systems.

Spray Systems

Spray systems can be up to $1000 per zone, according to industry experts. This includes line and irrigation heads, and labor. If you add upgrades, this adds to the cost.

Drip Systems

Drip irrigation systems run between $300 – $750 per zone, inclusive of labor. The cost varies based on the number of plants requiring watering and the amount of pressure available. Upgrades will add to the cost. 

Upgrades

Upgrades may cost extra initially but can save you a lot of money long term. Some of the most useful upgrades are rain/freeze sensors and remote access clocks. These enable you to proactively monitor conditions. Additional upgrades include flow sensors, soil moisture sensors, and weather stations. 

Talk with your landscape contractors to find out what they recommend for your property and locale.

Asking All Your Questions

Talk with your landscaping firm to get a clear sense of the pros and cons of each type of system. Your contractor will be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. 

Every property has unique features, climates, issues. Smart controllers and two-wire systems are not perfect for every property. Ask your questions and work closely with your contractor to determine the best solutions for your property.

Some of the questions you may want to ask include:

• Can I operate this remotely?
• How often does this need to be serviced?
• What kind of upgrades are most valuable?
• What does it cost?
• How quickly will I make this money back?

Doing The Math

When doing the math, think of an irrigation system as an investment in your commercial property. It will help you save money on water usage. It will boost property value, should you decide to sell. It will help you protect the investment you’ve made in flowers, plants, and trees. Additionally, it may attract discerning tenants, as a well-irrigated, the beautifully landscaped property appeals to high-end occupants.

While there’s no question that you’ll make an upfront investment for installation, talk with your irrigation specialist. He or she can help you understand how the system can pay for itself over time. Talk with a professional about sustainability, reducing utility costs, reducing water usage, and keeping your property looking beautiful.

Gaining Comfort and Ease

If you’re looking for comfort and ease, take a strategic approach. 

Evaluate your current water bill and landscaping costs. Estimate how much time and effort you or your crew are putting into maintenance, repair, and system upkeep. Factor in the costs of replacing the system as well as landscaping, should your region encounter drought or extreme weather. 

Talk with your commercial landscape company about options. For ultimate peace of mind, consider having a contract for seasonal services. In the long run, avoiding problems with your irrigation system is a lot smarter than postponing the decision.

If you’re looking for a certified irrigation contractor for your commercial properties, call Quench Irrigation New Jersey. You’ll find reliable service technicians who are friendly and highly experienced. 

With professional service, you can experience peace of mind and consider the job done.

We’re here to help. Contact Quench Irrigation today!