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Hiring an irrigation contractor
Does an irrigation contractor need to be licensed in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires anyone doing landscape irrigation work to be a state-certified landscape irrigation contractor, and the business must hold a business permit from the NJ Department of Community Affairs. A home improvement license does not count. You can verify a contractor with DCA's Board of Landscape Irrigation Contractors. See NJ irrigation compliance.
What should I ask an irrigation contractor before hiring?
Ask for their NJ irrigation certification number, business permit, certificate of insurance, who does backflow testing, what's included in each visit, how small repairs are approved, and how they report. Our RFP checklist has the full list.
Can you provide a certificate of insurance and W-9?
Yes, for vendor setup. We can name your company, ownership or management firm as additional insured.
Do you work with our landscaper?
Yes. We handle irrigation and coordinate with your mowing and landscape contractor.
Contracts and pricing
How much does commercial irrigation maintenance cost?
It depends on the number of zones, controllers and backflow devices, and how often you want visits. Every property gets a fixed seasonal price after a site walk. See the cost guide.
What's included in a maintenance contract?
Spring start-up, scheduled in-season inspections, controller adjustments, the annual backflow test and winterization. Small repairs are billed at agreed unit prices.
How are repairs approved?
You set a dollar limit. Repairs under it are done on the spot and listed in the report. Anything over it is photographed and quoted in writing first.
Can we put several properties on one contract?
Yes. Portfolio managers can cover every Monmouth County site on one agreement with site-by-site reports.
Do you charge for the site walk and proposal?
No. The site walk and written proposal are free.
Timing and seasons
When should commercial irrigation be turned on in Monmouth County?
Usually early April to early May, after the risk of hard freeze has passed.
When should it be winterized?
Late October to mid-November, before a sustained hard freeze.
How often should a commercial system be inspected?
Monthly during the growing season (May–September) for most commercial properties. Simple industrial frontage systems can go with fewer visits.
What time of day should commercial sprinklers run?
Overnight to early morning. Less evaporation and wind, and walkways are dry by the time people arrive.
Compliance and safety
Is backflow testing required for commercial irrigation in NJ?
Yes. Commercial irrigation backflow preventers are tested annually by a certified tester, and results are filed with your water supplier and/or town. See backflow testing.
Does NJ require a rain sensor?
Yes. Automatic lawn sprinkler systems installed after New Jersey's rain sensor law took effect in 2000 must have a rain sensor that overrides the watering cycle when it rains.
Do you follow town watering restrictions?
Yes. Controllers are programmed to follow your town's and water supplier's rules, including drought restrictions when they're declared.
How do you prevent slip hazards from sprinklers?
We stop overspray onto walks and entrances, convert beds next to walkways to drip, and schedule watering so surfaces are dry by morning.
Systems and water savings
How can we lower our irrigation water bill?
Fix leaks, add a smart weather-based controller, upgrade to high-efficiency nozzles, convert beds to drip, and set seasonal schedules. An audit shows which fixes save the most.
Is it worth replacing an old system?
If the main lines leak repeatedly, parts are obsolete, and coverage is poor, replacement often costs less over a few years than ongoing repairs. An audit gives you the numbers.
Do you work on all irrigation brands?
Yes. We service all major brands of heads, valves and controllers.
Can you install a system on new construction?
Yes. We design and install from your site and landscape plans and coordinate with your GC. See installation.