Best time of year to install a sprinkler system? (Houston: mover, houses)

[ilikeme]

When is the best time of year to install a sprinkler system and get the best deals? Also, any recommendations for good installers? I am in far Southwest Houston, borderline Stafford/Missouri City/Fort Bend County.

[ipuck]

Whatever you decide on please don't do it yourself.

I happen to saw an older gentleman (looks like just retired but still in good shape) decide to install one himself. First week i saw him on his knees pounding with small garden tools. Second week, he went and bought big shovel. Third week, he rented one of those earth mover. His yard is a mess. Almost all the grass is ripped out.

I just happen to drove by this morning and saw his sprinkler on, spraying half of it on the street.

It was almost comical driving by every day watching his misery.

[ottc777]

I would imagine most people do it in the spring since that's when you need to start watering more and your grass can heal quicker. So maybe there are some 'off season' deals.

[bpollen]

Does a far southwest Houston home really need a sprinkler system? Unless you have money you want to get rid of, I might re-think that expense, which is not a small one.

[DSL_PWR]

Just get multiple bids to start and go from there.

I got 8 bids and they were all over the place.

I don't really think there is a good time.

[ilikeme]

Originally Posted by bpollen

Does a far southwest Houston home really need a sprinkler system? Unless you have money you want to get rid of, I might re-think that expense, which is not a small one.

Why should being in far southwest Houston negate my need/want for a sprinkler system? My money situation is not really any of your concern. I still have to water my yard also. I'm not in the ghetto areas. My neighborhood has strict deed restrictions that are enforced.

Im just curious about the best times to get deals on an installation and recommendations for companies others have used. I just said my general location as there are some installers that only work certain areas of town. I am not installing it my self.

So back to the original questions, Does anyone have any recommendations for a sprinkler system installer and what is the best time of year to get the best deals on one?

[ilikeme]

Originally Posted by ipuck

Whatever you decide on please don't do it yourself.

I happen to saw an older gentleman (looks like just retired but still in good shape) decide to install one himself. First week i saw him on his knees pounding with small garden tools. Second week, he went and bought big shovel. Third week, he rented one of those earth mover. His yard is a mess. Almost all the grass is ripped out.

I just happen to drove by this morning and saw his sprinkler on, spraying half of it on the street.

It was almost comical driving by every day watching his misery.

Sounds awful, but kind of comical at the same time! There is no way I am doing the install myself.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by ipuck

Whatever you decide on please don't do it yourself.

Some people have the ability to do such basic projects themselves, but most people would be better off hiring someone.

My problem has always been doing such projects in the dead of summer.

On a positive side, I'm about to get started on my deck job while it's nice and cool outside.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I used to install them, I installed two in my time. My last/current house, however, I went new age and I installed a subsurface drip irrigation system. The reason I did this is because the lawn was just a mess of weeds, and dirt, so I had already planned to sod it.

I stopped one of the guys doing road work in the neighborhood, offered him $50 to drive a couple of houses down the street to mine and scrape the grass off the lawn in the front, and back. I then hired a day laborer and together we dug the trenches and buried the drip line.

The results have been great, even during the heat of summer, my grass was nice and green and no weeds since the surface never gets wet. The water goes directly to the roots. A subsurface drip irrigation is extremely efficient, uses up to 90% less water, and does not waste water. You never know when it is on, you can play on it at any time, it is never wet. Best labor I've put in for some time. I water two times a day, in the morning and evening, for ten minutes each time. It takes very little water compared to a sprinkler.

I am not an environmentalist, or tree hugger, but saving water just makes sense, it saves me money!

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

I used to install them, I installed two in my time. My last/current house, however, I went new age and I installed a subsurface drip irrigation system. The reason I did this is because the lawn was just a mess of weeds, and dirt, so I had already planned to sod it.

I stopped one of the guys doing road work in the neighborhood, offered him $50 to drive a couple of houses down the street to mine and scrape the grass off the lawn in the front, and back. I then hired a day laborer and together we dug the trenches and buried the drip line.

The results have been great, even during the heat of summer, my grass was nice and green and no weeds since the surface never gets wet. The water goes directly to the roots. A subsurface drip irrigation is extremely efficient, uses up to 90% less water, and does not waste water. You never know when it is on, you can play on it at any time, it is never wet. Best labor I've put in for some time. I water two times a day, in the morning and evening, for ten minutes each time. It takes very little water compared to a sprinkler.

I am not an environmentalist, or tree hugger, but saving water just makes sense, it saves me money!

Very cool. I might have to look into this before I do my front yard.