What Does it Cost to Install a Landscape Irrigation System?
The short answer is ‘it depends’.
It depends on the size and shape and grade of the property, as well as the location of trees and configuration of plantings, turf areas, hardscapes, and pools; the water source that will be used to supply the irrigation system; and whether or not a water pressure boosting pump or New York State-required backflow prevention device is needed.
In general, irrigation systems on small areas of a quarter acre or less (i.e., less than 10,000 square feet) can be installed for around $5,000, including the cost of a backflow prevention device. If only part of the property is to be irrigated (e.g., planting beds, or only the front yard) the cost could drop to around $3,000. Systems for larger areas (e.g., half an acre to three-quarters of an acre) may cost $7,000-$10,000, or more. And systems for even larger areas can cost between $12,000 to $50,000, and sometimes even more.
If water for the irrigation system is sourced from a lake or pond, the cost for a pump and supply line can add a few thousand dollars to the price. Similarly, a pressure boosting pump can add cost. Properties in the Finger Lakes watershed (e.g., Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties) that need to have backflow prevention devices installed will also have to pay an engineering fee to prepare and file the backflow device permit application which can take up to six months to receive from the Geneva Department of Health regional office.
What Does it Cost to Expand a Landscape Irrigation System?
Expansions usually cost less than the initial system because the backflow prevention device (if required) or pump, and controller are already in place. Small expansions may cost only a few thousand dollars, larger expansions can rival the cost of a small-to-medium size system.
How Do We Determine What Your Landscape Irrigation System Will Cost?
First, we meet with you to learn what you would like to do and over what period of time. Then we will review a plot plan provided by you showing your property boundaries and improvements (e.g., drives, walks, buildings) and compare it to a very high-resolution aerial photo of your property that also shows boundaries. After that we will walk the property and prepare a preliminary layout from which we will create a Proposal.
In preparing your Proposal, we carefully examine your property for to learn more about soil type, slopes, plantings, microclimate variations, and undocumented improvements or features.