I have obtained 3 prices for a new system to cover lawn and flower beds in an approx. 7500 sq. ft. area (60'x140' res. property with 2 storey home and front and rear yards). Two contractors priced a system with lawn and beds NOT in separate zones, and the number of heads (rotors + mist spray) in each price varied. One price had 15 rotors and 14 mist spray heads, while another had 15 rotors and 22 mist spray heads. Both contactors told me it wasn't worth zoning lawn and beds separately (but I thought it was a golden rule of irrigation systems). The 2 systems included a combination of Hunter and Rainbird components. The quotes did not specify the number of zones. Prices ranged from $3,700 to $3,834 Canadian, and included rain sensor, controller with rain sensor by-pass and backflow preventor.
The third contractor mapped out the proposed head locations on the property and provided a detailed price exclusively using Rainbird components with the lawn and beds in separate zones (a total of 9 zones with 18-1804 turf spray heads, 26-1812 turf spray heads and 7 5004-turf rotor heads). The price included a PVB backflow preventor, the ESP Mod controller and wireless rain sensor. This quote came in at $5,000 Canadian.
Sorry for the "long winded" description....but I am wondering.....
1. Should beds and lawn be zoned separately?
2. Are the prices reasonable?
3. Are some Rainbird components preferred over Hunter and vice-versa?
Appreciate the help and informative posts
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