What to look for in an Irrigation Contractor
When looking for irrigation contractors, it's important to ask the right questions. Taking the time to choose will help you find the perfect professionals that meet your needs. Look, irrigation systems are big-time investments, so picking a contractor that is right for you can make a big difference. The right contractor will listen clearly, be able to reiterate your needs and concerns back to you and provide experience-based solutions.
Take some time to check out the qualifications of potential contractors and learn about the services they provide. No matter if you're overseeing a big property or a small project, these tips will help make everything go smoothly! Feeling confident in your choice of contractor is important. Here are some helpful ways to ask for estimates and guidelines on what credentials to look for. This way, you can find great prices along with top-notch quality!
Getting Estimates
When you're on the hunt for irrigation contractors, don’t hesitate to ask for estimates for their services! (Pro-tip – get more than one!) Most of the time estimates are free of charge, and being transparent with potential contractors is a good way to keep them honest. Getting these estimates can help you understand potential costs while giving you a good sense of the contractor’s expertise and how well they grasp your needs. It’s a helpful and important step in finding the right fit for your project!
An estimate should include custom designs made just for your space! It’s important for the contractor to take the time to create a complete plan that suits your landscaping and watering needs. A great estimate considers all sorts of factors, like the types of plants you have, the soil conditions, and the layout of your lawn or garden, all of which play a big role in making your irrigation system effective.
Experience and Certifications
There is no better qualification than experience, and experience matters when choosing a contractor. When vetting potential irrigation contractors consider how long the company has been in business; contractors with years of experience have likely dealt with a variety of irrigation issues. Extensive experience equips them with the skills needed to manage your project effectively.
While conducting your search you’ll surely come across “installation only” and “service only” contractors and while specializing in a particular facet can be good, generalization (full-service) in the irrigation field is BETTER. Why is that? I’m glad you asked! Irrigation contractors offering the big three – design & installation, maintenance, and repairs are in a unique position to cross-train their team and employees. This means that when a team member from this type of contractor shows up on your property, their eyes are open. Not only do they show up and know WHAT to do, but they also know WHY they are doing it. This gives salesmen and technicians the understanding and tools they need to; (1) educate the client or homeowner, (2) provide a guaranteed solution, and (3) offer reasonable pricing and warranties.
Contractors who have years of practice bring valuable knowledge and skills to the table and their reliability increases alongside their experience.
Keeping team members educated is another crucial factor in the irrigation field. Contractors that mandate training and certifications in design, installation, troubleshooting (hydraulic and electrical), and water savings keep their team ahead of the curve. Taking advantage of educational opportunities offered by well-known vendors like Rain Bird, and Hunter Industries helps contractors maintain industry standards and best practices.
Licenses, & Insurance
Having proper licensing demonstrates professionalism and compliance with standards. Always verify credentials when searching for professionals suited to your project needs.
Seasoned contractors have a solid understanding of local regulations, which enhances the overall quality of their work. They are better equipped to handle problems and understand the unique needs of different landscapes.
Make sure to check if they have the right licenses! Are they licensed to work in your area? A proper license means they follow local rules and keep up with industry standards, which is really important for doing a great job in irrigation. Also, take a look at their insurance. Do they have the necessary coverage? Good liability insurance is key, as it protects you from any accidents or damages that could happen during installation or repairs.
Why choose Shoreline Irrigation for your Irrigation Services?
Shoreline Irrigation is a locally owned and operated, relationship-driven company that fully encompasses all the above. If respect, reliability, and trustworthiness are high on your list of values, you’re right at home.
Why Choose Shoreline Irrigation?
Guarantee:
Here at Shoreline Irrigation, we understand the importance of peace of mind, and that’s why we back our services 100%. Whether it’s a small repair, regular maintenance service, or a brand-new installation we guarantee it.
On new installations, we provide a 2-year unlimited warranty on materials and workmanship. The warranty is extended provided that the client signs a yearly maintenance contract with us after the installation. This covers every aspect of the installation – meaning there is nothing that is not covered. If something goes wrong within 2 years of the installation date, we will make it right. This includes natural defects of all system components like heads, valves, pipes, controller, rain sensor, and backflow prevention as well as the labor associated with repairing it.
On repairs, we provide a 2-year unlimited warranty on the specific component(s) that we repaired or replaced as documented in the invoice. Once we touch it, it’s covered.
On regular maintenance, if we come out for a scheduled maintenance visit as part of an irrigation maintenance plan and something goes awry once we leave, we will return at no cost. An example of this may be a mistake made to your watering schedule – maybe we added a day to the watering cycle during a summer visit to combat the heat and the day we chose falls on the same day your lawn gets cut – this can be an inconvenience to your lawn guy. We will return promptly to adjust the watering schedule accordingly. Or maybe 2 weeks after we leave a scheduled maintenance visit a section of your lawn appears stressed and might need a little more water than anticipated – you guessed it we will return at no cost the make the necessary adjustments.
Flexible Payment Schedules & Payment Options
Upon completion and satisfaction of regular maintenance visits, and most service calls, we extend a 15-day payment due date. This means that we will not hassle you for payment at the completion of a service. Instead, we will invoice you via your preferred method (e-mail is most common) 48-72 hours after the completion of the service and you will have 15 days from the date of the service to make the payment.
On larger, more expensive projects a deposit may be required before the start date. However, once the deposit is made and the work is completed to satisfaction, that same 15-day window for payment will be extended for the remaining balance of the job.
This flexible 15-day payment window has helped many clients stay on budget!
We offer a variety of payment options including most major credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, and of course cash or check.
Customer Service
We pride ourselves on consistent communication and reachability. Response to calls and emails is prompt and service is swift. Being locally owned and operated comes with its perks – we live here – this is our community – we are easily accessible.
Relationships
We take pride in our deep roots within the community and surround ourselves with like-minded contractors in the community who demonstrate the same values as us. Our local insight allows us to recommend good, trustworthy contractors to our clients who may be in need of other home services, and maybe even pull a string or two every now and then.
Shoreline Irrigation offers affordable, and reliable irrigation services to homeowners and business owners. With our expertise and innovation, we can cater to the needs of both large and small properties or projects. To learn more about our irrigation installation, landscape lighting, commercial irrigation maintenance, and drainage services contact us today. We can be reached at 302.470.5210. Also, check us out on Facebook and LinkedIn.