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When we first started installing landscape projects, the irrigation systems were simpler and smaller than today. We tried to expand our irrigation division as our company grew. However, we quickly realized it made more sense to hire the irrigation segment of the project out with sub-contractors who had more expertise for the larger projects.
The relationship between a design-build contractor and an irrigation contractor should be similar to the relationship between the architect who designed the house and the design-build contractor: One should be subordinate to the other.
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Should my contractor be certified?
Some
state and local laws require certified
irrigation designers or licensed contractors.
If you are not already aware of your
local regulations, check into it before
putting in your next system. Some common
qualifications include “Certified
Irrigation Contractor” (CIC)
or “Certified Landscape Irrigation
Manager” (CLIM), who is both
a CIC and CID. If your project isn't
large enough to use an independent
irrigation designer, look for a CIC
who is also a CID.
Keep
in mind that certifications and licensing
are two different things. When hiring
a contractor, make sure they have the
appropriate business licenses and general
liability insurance, proof of insurance
and workers compensation insurance.
You should request copies of these
before deciding on the installing crew.
The
bottom line: You are not just buying
a system, but the installation of the
system as well.
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The one who designs the project should always be in the lead role. Depending on the dynamics and size of the project, this factors strongly in deciding when to hire a professional irrigation contractor or have your own crew install the system.
A true professional
A good irrigation designer will evaluate site conditions and prepare a professional irrigation plan to meet the needs of an individual project. The designer chooses the most effective irrigation equipment and design methods for the site and individual project requirements. The designer establishes specifications and designs drawings for the construction of an irrigation project, the way an architect creates a building design.
Experienced irrigation designers -- regardless of specializing in residential,
commercial or golf courses -- will be intimately familiar with the latest and
most dependable equipment and reliable installers. Designers and installers
who have had to be accountable for sustaining the system will be experts at
avoiding the pitfalls of past mistakes. Thus, steer clear of irrigation designers
who have never had to be accountable for installation and execution of the
system. They likely will not have had the invaluable training of learning textbook
vs. real-life systems analysis.
A professional irrigation designer will know the latest and greatest technology
-- and be able to provide you with a comprehensive, water-efficient system
that does much more than simply blow water everywhere. “Smart” technology,
like systems with flow-control nozzles, climate-based controllers and automatic
shutoffs, are beneficial and even required for irrigation systems in some areas.
Most importantly, a good irrigation contractor will look at the design-build contractor as the lead. Mistakes begin to happen when the design-build contractor leaves and the irrigation designer and contractor take over without his or her direction.
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Scheduling the work
Although irrigation doesn’t come into
the production schedule until the end of the
project, it should be included as one of the
early steps of your process. This is because
the preparation work must be done well in advance
to get the system up and running properly.
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Once
the footings for these steps, walls,
and upper driveway drop off are
completed, you could never go back
to get the irrigation lines in
the remote planting pockets. |
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To properly install the system, you must consider
pipe sizes, pressure losses due to grade changes,
out puts of heads, locations for the water
service, deduct meters and the estimated volumes
of water demands. These factors will all have
to be determined before any of the landscape
production starts.
In addition, pre-sleeving for irrigation on
the project happens before any hardscapes and
plantings go in. Understanding and projecting
accessibility constraints before, during or
after the projects will determine what needs
to be staged at different phases of the project,
too.
In other words, it takes a lot of foresight
to determine what critical parts of the irrigation
need to go in before the hardscape is in place.
For example, you don’t want a concrete
footer to prevent you from getting to remote
planting areas such as raised planters, upper
terrace patio green spaces or areas that will
be blocked off later by driveways and retainers
walls. This pre planning is a very important
part of the professional irrigation designer’s
value. He or she can bring expertise to the
table that takes some of the stress off your
responsibilities.
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In
larger landscape projects having
an irrigation plan allows you to
sleeve as footers and retaining
walls go in a year in advance of
needing the irrigation. |
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Negotiating the work
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Profile
of a qualified irrigation designer
- Has
a broad knowledge of complex
projects.
- Is
equipped to work closely
with a landscape designers/architects
to match precisely the irrigation
requirements with plant materials.
- Has
a broad knowledge of products
and applications that could
be used in an irrigation
design.
- Will
design an efficient water-conserving
system.
- Is
knowledgeable about emerging
technology that might enhance
water conservation and irrigation
efficiency.
- Can
interact professionally among
the landscape architect,
the owner and the installing
irrigation contractor, making
sure the installation meets
design specifications.
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First and foremost, get a plan and a written
proposal from the irrigation contractor. Every
aspect of the job should be described in detail,
have a dollar amount attached to it and include
warranty terms and a scaled plan. The more
detailed the proposal, the better. Remember,
the lowest price isn't always the best. You
want to choose the best proposal based on all
factors.
The proposal should be broken down into subsections,
with quantities, sizes and brands specified.
All preparatory and finish work should be included,
as should the amounts and the brands of irrigation
equipment. Compare proposals point-by-point.
Look for a contractor with the greatest ability
to provide outstanding site management and
consistent quality in all phases of the job.
Your proposal package should contain copies
of licenses, insurance policies and a list
of references. Request that proposals follow
design specifications and meet requirements
of your local water board.
Other basic items that should be covered in
the proposal include:
- The name, street address and telephone
number of the contractor.
- Specified start date and an estimated completion
date.
- Specific costs of materials to be installed.
- Statement regarding payments arrangements
such as down payment, progress payment and
balance due.
- Complete description of the work to be
done and materials to be used (including
quantities and brands of irrigation equipment).
- Guarantees of work and materials.
- Statement that the contractor will do any
necessary cleanup and removal of debris after
the job is completed.
- “Notice to Owner,” explaining
the state's mechanic's lien laws and the
ways to protect yourself and your property.
- “Notice of Cancellation,” informing
you that you have three days after signing
the contract to cancel it.
- Statement requiring the contractor to provide
proper lien releases for suppliers.
- Validation of any required license and
certificates of insurance (not just copies).
- Statement that the work will meet the standards
specified in the contract.
How much of your irrigation work, if any, do you subcontract? Take
our survey.
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