Sprinkler installation: what a good installer does and questions to ask

What a thorough installer does before touching the ground

A good irrigation installer starts with a real site evaluation, not a phone estimate: checking your water pressure, measuring the yard, noting sun and shade patterns, and identifying where existing beds, trees, and hardscape will affect zone layout. They should walk you through how many zones they recommend and explain why, since zone count drives both cost and how evenly your yard gets watered.

Signs of a good installer versus a rushed one

What to look for	Good sign	Red flag
Site visit	In-person evaluation before quoting	Phone or drive-by estimate only
Zone plan	Explains zone count and layout logic	Vague or unwilling to explain
Backflow preventer	Included and explained as code-required	Not mentioned at all
Materials	Names specific brands of heads and controller	Can’t or won’t specify what they use
Contract	Written scope covering zones, materials, warranty	Verbal agreement only
Final walkthrough	Runs every zone with you before leaving	Leaves before testing coverage

The backflow preventer question

A backflow preventer stops irrigation water, which can pick up fertilizer and soil, from siphoning back into your home’s drinking water line. Many cities require one by code as part of any new irrigation install, so if an installer’s quote doesn’t mention it, ask directly whether it’s included.

Materials matter more than they seem

Cheaper plastic valves and heads fail faster, especially under Central Texas’s hard water and heat. A company that names the specific brands they use, and can explain why, is generally more trustworthy than one that treats materials as an afterthought. This is also where warranty terms matter: ask what’s covered if a valve fails in year two.

The walkthrough is not optional

Before the crew leaves, every zone should be run in front of you so you can see the actual coverage pattern, not just take their word for it. Dry corners, overspray onto a sidewalk or driveway, or a head that doesn’t pop up fully are all things you want caught on install day, not three months later during a drought.

What happens after the crew leaves

A good installer doesn’t disappear the moment the invoice is paid. Ask what the first-season follow-up looks like: some companies offer a seasonal adjustment visit to reset the controller for changing weather, or a check-in a few weeks later to confirm new sod or plants are getting even coverage. This matters more than it sounds, since a system that looked perfect on install day can develop a dry spot once plants mature and their water needs shift.

Questions worth asking before you sign

Beyond zones and materials, ask what the warranty covers and for how long, whether the company handles annual backflow testing or if that’s a separate call, and how they handle a repair request if something fails outside of business hours during a heat wave. The answers tell you as much about how a company operates as the install itself does.

What to expect on install day

A typical residential install takes one to two days depending on yard size and zone count. Expect some trenching across the lawn, which settles and fills back in over the following weeks, and plan to keep pets and kids away from open trenches and equipment while the crew is working. A reputable installer will walk you through what the yard will look like immediately after versus once the disturbed areas recover.

Comparing more than the total price

Two bids for the same yard can look similar on the bottom line while differing a lot in zone count, head brand, and backflow inclusion. Line up each quote side by side on those specifics rather than just the final number, since the cheaper-looking bid sometimes turns out to be doing less work for a similar price.

Austin Landscapers lists irrigation companies serving the area, scored using the process on the methodology page. Compare providers directly on the irrigation and sprinkler hub.