What an irrigation estimate is for
Irrigation customers see a number for a system they cannot picture underground. An estimate that lists zones by area, head type, drip for beds, the controller and the backflow preventer shows them what they are buying and why zones matter. It also covers lawn restoration, which is what they will judge the job by on day one.
What to put on an irrigation estimate
- Zones by area, with head type.
- Drip zones for beds.
- Controller and sensors.
- Backflow preventer and testing.
- Main line and connection point.
- Lawn restoration over trenches.
- Permit and locate.
A worked example
A quarter-acre yard with front and back lawn and planting beds along the house. The plan is six lawn zones and two drip zones, with a smart controller.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler zone, rotor | 4 | each | Your price |
| Sprinkler zone, spray | 2 | each | Your price |
| Drip zone for beds | 2 | each | Your price |
| Controller, smart | 1 | each | Your price |
| Backflow preventer | 1 | each | Your price |
| Rain sensor | 1 | each | Your price |
| Permit and utility locate | 1 | each | Your price |
Sketch the zones on the yard photo and attach it with the PDF. Customers understand zones from a picture faster than from a list.
Line items irrigation contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler zone, installed | each | Heads, pipe and valve per zone; say rotor or spray. |
| Drip zone for beds | each | Drip line and emitters. |
| Controller, smart | each | Weather-based scheduling; brand and zone count. |
| Backflow preventer | each | Required on most systems; testing rules vary by area. |
| Main line from tap or meter | ft | Pipe size and material. |
| Rain or freeze sensor | each | Shuts the system off when not needed. |
| Spring start-up | visit | Turn on, check heads, set the controller. |
| Winterization blowout | visit | Compressed air to clear lines before freezing. |
| Head replacement | each | Broken or worn heads. |
| Valve repair or replacement | each | Stuck or leaking valves. |
| Line leak repair | each | Dig, repair and backfill. |
| Backflow test | each | Yearly in many areas, by a certified tester. |
| Permit and utility locate | each | Locate before digging; permit if required. |
Terms and deposit language for irrigation
- Deposit. New systems take a deposit at signing for materials. Service calls take none.
- Payment. New systems due on completion and walk-through. Service due on completion.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty on new systems, and that parts carry the maker's warranty. Freeze damage on systems not winterized by you is not covered.
- Utilities are located before digging; private lines like lighting and invisible dog fences are the owner's to mark.
- Lawn is restored over trenches; settling may need a top-up later.
- Watering restrictions in your area may limit schedules; the controller is set to follow them.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for irrigation
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.