Lawn irrigation system...

[VA49er]

So, what would I be looking at in terms of price for a lawn irrigation system? Just a round estimate cause I know it'll depend on size of lot and # of sprinkler heads, etc. The whole lot is .33 of an acre but it has a 2400 square foot house on it. The front yard is what I'm interested in as the back yard isn't all the big, but if the price isn't too much higher for the back, I may as well include it also. Thanks.

[PantherPaul]

So, what would I be looking at in terms of price for a lawn irrigation system? Just a round estimate cause I know it'll depend on size of lot and # of sprinkler heads, etc. The whole lot is .33 of an acre but it has a 2400 square foot house on it. The front yard is what I'm interested in as the back yard isn't all the big, but if the price isn't too much higher for the back, I may as well include it also. Thanks.

They are not that hard to put in yourself. I did our yard 3 years back. rainbird (I think) is the name brand. Using timers on both faucets I water 3 areas in front and 4 in back. Each area gets 30 minutes a day (drip, the best IMO). I don't bother with watering grass as 70% of my yard is natural areas (by design)

[VA49er]

They are not that hard to put in yourself. I did our yard 3 years back. rainbird (I think) is the name brand. Using timers on both faucets I water 3 areas in front and 4 in back. Each area gets 30 minutes a day (drip, the best IMO). I don't bother with watering grass as 70% of my yard is natural areas (by design)

You dig the trenches and all the other stuff?

[PantherPaul]

You dig the trenches and all the other stuff?

Like I said most of my watering needs were for plants, Lots of plants. We dug the short trench for 1-2" supply line from the side of house to the edge of the large bed we wanted water to. Maybe 15' Then above ground running in the middle of the bed. Used 1/2" spider like lines off of main supply line to go to base of plants. Have both drip and small spray heads that you can broadcast the water low. We probably have $3000 worth of plants in our yard with 95% of them starting off no larger than 3 gallon. We have planted a SHIT LOAD of plants. Too many to have to worry about losing due to drought. The trench only needs to be maybe 6-10" deep and no rock or anything else around it. We use a lot of mulch so we cover the black hoses when they are above ground. Pressure fittings connect the garden hose to the supply line. Spray heads and stands are cheap. Most expensive thing are the timers and the back pressure guards.

[VA49er]

Like I said most of my watering needs were for plants, Lots of plants. We dug the short trench for 1-2" supply line from the side of house to the edge of the large bed we wanted water to. Maybe 15' Then above ground running in the middle of the bed. Used 1/2" spider like lines off of main supply line to go to base of plants. Have both drip and small spray heads that you can broadcast the water low. We probably have $3000 worth of plants in our yard with 95% of them starting off no larger than 3 gallon. We have planted a SHIT LOAD of plants. Too many to have to worry about losing due to drought. The trench only needs to be maybe 6-10" deep and no rock or anything else around it. We use a lot of mulch so we cover the black hoses when they are above ground. Pressure fittings connect the garden hose to the supply line. Spray heads and stands are cheap. Most expensive thing are the timers and the back pressure guards.

Thanks. I guess the best time to install is in the winter time? My reasoning is my yard would be back to normal in the spring, you know, after digging all the trenches, etc.

[PantherPaul]

Thanks. I guess the best time to install is in the winter time? My reasoning is my yard would be back to normal in the spring, you know, after digging all the trenches, etc.

Yep. I just made my dig 1 shovel width wide and deep. Laid the supply lines down and covered it up. If you do like me just run the supply lines the distance of the bed to water then just plug the watering lines off of the supply. You just have to figure out how large of an area you can water off of one supply line and still get enough water pressure at the furthest point.

You can run one line (buried) and then offshoots from it in case you ever want to add or replace later on. That way you are only digging once

[PantherPaul]

All you need to know

http://www.rainbird.com/diy/index.htm

[VA49er]

All you need to know

http://www.rainbird.com/diy/index.htm

Thanks again. I used the site to find a contractor just to get a quote. I'll see what happens.