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A Guide Toward
Selecting a
Irrigation
Contractor
The HGCIA
(Houston Gulf
Coast Irrigation
Association) is
a local
organization
comprised of
area licensed
irrigation
contractors,
suppliers, and
other interested
parties whose
primary aim is
to provide you,
the consumers of
the Gulf Coast
area, with the
most up-to-date
and reliable
irrigation
equipment, using
the most
advanced
techniques in
design and
installation.
The HGCIA is
continually
striving to see
that only
competent and
legally licensed
individuals design
and install
underground
irrigation
systems.
Selecting
Materials
Ask your
prospective
contractor to
show samples of
various types of
equipment they
use such as
irrigation heads,
controllers,
valves and
risers. This
will not only
help inform you
as to how the
system will
operate, but
will also aid in
communicating
with your
contractor what
you desire in
the system. Ask
him to explain
the advantages
and
disadvantages of
each product. As
a general rule
irrigation system
equipment varies
in cost and
quality. Each
item is
manufactured
with specific
functions in
mind and will
operate properly
only if it is
installed as
recommended by
the
manufacturers
specifications.
Underground
irrigation
systems, when
designed and
installed in the
proper manner
using the proper
equipment, not
only eliminate
the time
consuming chore
of hand watering
your lawn, but
also provide
your landscape
with more
uniform coverage
and application
of water which
aids in healthy
and vigorous
growth of your
valuable
landscape
plantings.
AUTOMATIC
SYSTEMS have
proven time and
again to not
only provide
better
application of
water, but also
can provide
numerous
time-controlled
watering
schedules, which
help in
establishing new
lawns areas and
conserve our
water resources.
The rapid
increase in the
demand for
commercial and
residential
irrigation
systems, has
been accompanied
by two
developments,
lower prices and
better values by
responsible
contractors and
an increased
number of
irresponsible
and fly-by-night
contractors.
You, the
prospective
customer, should
obtain
sufficient
information to
prevent
selecting
irresponsible
and incompetent
contractors.
Should You
Request an
Irrigation
Design?
Each
contractor will
have their own
policy regarding
design work. He
may wish to
provide you a
design for the
purpose of
submitting an
accurate bid, on
the other hand,
a contractor may
believe he is
experienced
enough that he
can give you an
accurate bid
without a
design. In
either case, the
HGCIA STRONGLY
SUGGESTS that
you demand a
copy of the "As
Built"
irrigation plan
upon completion
of the job. This
will be a
valuable benefit
to you when
future additions
to your
residence or
landscape are
needed, or for
irrigation system
repair.
License?
The State of
Texas provides a
licensing
program directly
aimed at testing
designers and
installers in
every aspect of
design and
instillation.
Applicants for
the license are
thoroughly
tested in the
areas of
back-flow
prevention
devices,
hydraulics
(proper sizing
of components),
economical
efficient head
spacing and
other important
aspects
concerning the
system. The
successful
applicant is
then certified
and issued a
license number
and is required
by state law to
place this
certified state
seal on all
designs. HGCIA
AGGRESSIVELY
SUPPORTS THE USE
OF TEXAS STATE
LICENSED
IRRIGATORS. He
or she is
usually well
informed with
state and local
codes and
regulation
concerning
irrigation system
installation.
Is a
Written Legal
Contract
Necessary?
As a general
rule, most large
commercial
irrigation system
installation are
awarded after
both parties
agree upon
signed contract.
The contract
that is
submitted by the
contractor
should include:
scope of work,
price of job,
city permits,
warranty
periods, and
client/customer
payment
agreement. The
contract is
directed at
protecting both
parties legally.
A written
contract is not
necessarily
mandatory in all
cases,
particularly
residential
installations in
the community,
others are not.
HGCIA suggests
that if there is
any doubt
regarding a
contractor's
reliability, or
you are not
acquainted with
their work then
a contract
should be
provided by the
contractor.
Responsible
contractors
should have no
objections to a
written
contract. In
general, a
contractor may
require a
deposit at the
time of signing
the contract.
HGCIA suggests
that if a large
advance
deposit/payment
is requested,
you should make
sure the payment
is justified and
that you are
dealing with a
reputable
contractor.
Warranty?
The standard
manufacturers
and contractors
warranty period
for most
irrigation
products and
installations,
is one year on
materials and
workmanship.
You, the
consumer are
protected by the
people who Build
and Install the
equipment. HGCIA
suggests you, as
the customer,
ask for
references on
other
installations
the contractor
has completed
and how
responsible they
are regarding
warranty work.
Should You
Take the Low
Bid?
It was Ruskin
who said: "There
is hardly
anything in the
world that one
man cannot make
a little worse
and sell a
little cheaper;
and the people
who consider
price only, are
such men's
lawful prey."
Remember, in
order for the
contractor to
continue serving
you and other
customers in a
responsible
manner they must
stay in business
and show fair
profit. Simply
"paying the
bills" is little
incentive to a
reputable
contractor.
Again, consider
the cost of
other items you
own or desire
compared to the
value of your
landscape or
residence. The
low bid is not
always the
cheapest. Re-building or
replacing an
improperly
designed or
installed system
may cost you
many times the
amount you
thought you
saved. Remember,
you are
installing a
permanent
underground
system that must
be installed
right the first
time.
The
Important Points
- Is your
prospective
contractor
or designer
a state
licensed
irrigator?
- Have you
discussed
the
equipment to
be used, and
does the
contractor
understand
your needs?
- Will the
contractor
submit to
you an "As
Built"
Irrigation
Design
bearing
their seal,
license
number and
name upon
completion
of the
installation?
- Will
your
prospective
contractor
provide a
signed
written
contract if
you desire
one?
- What
type of
warranty
does the
contractor
provide and
what is
their
reputation
concerning
warranty
work?
-
Remember!
The low bid
is not
necessarily
the least
costly in
the long
run.
- Ask for
references.
- When
selecting an
irrigation
contractor,
look for
this logo
indicating
the
membership
in the HGCIA.
It is you
assurance of
quality
design and
installation.
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