What to look for
- Experience with your controller and system
- Liability insurance
- A licensed irrigator where your state requires one
- Backflow testing certification where your utility requires it
- Reviews that mention honest diagnoses
Questions to ask before you hire
- What's your hourly rate and minimum charge?
- Will you run every zone and show me the problems?
- Are you certified for backflow testing?
- Do you winterize and start up systems?
- Is repair or rebuilding the zone the better value?
Getting and comparing quotes
Most repairs are billed by time plus parts, so compare hourly rates and minimums. For bigger jobs like rebuilding a zone, get a written price.
Red flags
- Won't say how they bill
- Recommends a new system without checking zones
- No license where required
- Can't explain what's wrong