CHOOSING AN IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR

It's a Very Important Decision The success of your irrigation system depends largely on the contractor you choose to install it. A contractor's expertise and specialized skills are crucial in determining your system's efficiency and long-term reliability. In fact, how your irrigation system is designed and installed will make the difference between a system that is reliable and keeps your lawn green and healthy, and one that is troublesome, wastes water and leaves your lawn looking brown and unhealthy. It's a big decision, but choosing the right contractor isn't as difficult as it may seem. Here are a few tips that will help you select a contractor who will guarantee a job well done.

What to expect An efficient, well-organized contractor will be happy to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. First, the contractor will want to view your property in order to determine soil conditions, water sources and pressure, planting materials, etc. He then will present a formal estimate detailing what he plans to do and the total price for materials and installation. Along with the estimate, the contractor should clearly explain all the specifics to you. There generally should be little disruption to existing foliage, and the average job should take less than a week.

Questions to ask The best contractors will encourage you to ask a lot of questions. By asking questions, you will know exactly what you will be getting for your money and what to expect from your new sprinkler system. Here are a few important questions to get you started.

• What type of product will be used and why? He should tell you what type of controller, valves and rotors or spray heads are best for your landscape
• Is after-sale service provided? A professional contractor should be willing and able to provide after-sale service.
• Is there a warranty on the system? His work should be guarantee; a one-year warranty is typical. Also, be sure to ask him for the names and telephone numbers of recent satisfied customers, so you can call and check his references!

You get what you pay for When choosing a contractor, you should be wary of those who offer to charge you significantly less than other contractors. Low bidders may not be licensed or insured and often use cost-cutting techniques that can jeopardize your lawn and shorten the life of your system. Watch our for these commonly used tricks of the trade:

• Not including a backflow preventer, which is required by local codes to protect your drinking water supply
• Installing sprinklers too far apart, which makes it impossible for certain areas to receive enough water and causes brown spots during the hot summer months
• Mixing sprinklers with different application rates on the same line, which causes one area to be over watered in order to sufficiently water another
• Not using special watertight connectors and a protective valve box to safeguard the electrical elements, guard against short circuits and prevent corrosion

Confidence Counts Above all, you should choose a contractor you can trust and with whom you feel comfortable. It's important that he install professional series products such as those manufactured by Rain Bird, the world's leading manufacturer of irrigation equipment. For more than six decades, Rain Bird products and the professional irrigation contractor have worked together to provide the industry's most cost-effective, reliable irrigation systems. Choosing an irrigation contractor who uses Rain Bird professional series products is the best way to ensure the job will be done right.

A Rain Bird Select Contractor...

...installs quality irrigation systems with genuine Rain Bird products
...is a trained and experienced professional irrigation contractor with a history of customer satisfaction
...is highly skilled in both system installation and service
...will protect your drinking water supply by installing the appropriate backflow preventer, according to local codes
...will select the right Rain Bird products for the unique needs of your landscape
...will program your controller to operate at maximum efficiency
...will instruct you on how to adjust your system's watering schedule to meet seasonal requirement

Look for the truck with the NWIS logo!