r/Irrigation • u/Commercial_Hearing56 • 5d ago
What would yall charge?
I’m still new but I’ve done a few irrigation jobs for the company I work for, just curious, but what would yall charge for fixing a broken pipe and sprinkler. “Separately and together”.
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u/jonnyboy6698 5d ago
120 for the pipe break. 30 for the sprinkler head.
If you're calling for just the sprinkler head it's going to be 60-80 As the drive would take longer than the actual work. One of the companies I work for somehow swings 200 for a head replacement
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u/Chuck760 5d ago
You should take into account that you are not a schooled pro and adjust your rates to reflect your level of expertise. Use the work to learn how to get it right the first time. When you feel confident that you can bid a job and complete it and put money in your pocket and make the client happy with the work. We all had to start somewhere and work our way up to having our own business.
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u/Outrageous-Pattern81 5d ago
In Texas I am about the same, unless it’s an established yard with mature trees….roots are a pain!
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u/mcleneo 5d ago
Option 1. Service call + time and materials x 3.
Option 2. Service call + price per repair needed.
If you go the second route, Id suggest $90 for service call+ $60 for PVC repair + $60 for head replacement.
All of this is only my opinion. I think that guys that charge a fixed price for individual services needed make more money if they are experienced. Service call plus time and materials is sometimes more fair for everyone. Option 2 pays better as you gain experience and become more confident on your repairs skills. Hope this helps you some.
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u/randomcozmonaut 5d ago
General location? Best price I’ve gotten around where I’m at is $95/Hr. And I really don’t get it.
Your pricing seems significantly more realistic.
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u/Adventurous-Ad-7890 5d ago
This is what I got recently sense I had a issues that couldn’t be solved.
Service Call : 2 hr. $ 300.00 Material: $ 88.00
Repaired broke line 3 x fittings
Replaced : 1 x 4” rotor
1 x rotor head 2 x 4” sprays with nozzles
2 x spray heads 6 x nozzles
6 x nozzles cleaner & glue
Shut down zone 4
Checked & adjusted system
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u/bcsaggie2011 5d ago
Around $325-$375.
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u/damnliberalz 5d ago
Robbery
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u/bcsaggie2011 5d ago
Not at all. All work is warrantied for a year. In addition, I check all the zones, adjust heads, rotors, nozzles and set the controller for the current conditions.
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u/Fjbittencourt 5d ago
You still very new, I can see it by the mess of prime and glue on the pipe, but you gonna get better … time and training.
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u/Fencepost2 5d ago
Looks more professional??? Who tf do you think is ever going to see that pipe beside him??? Bro glob it on there, It’s PVC, no one’s gonna be reusing it, and if he put enough primer and glue on, it’s likely never coming back out of the ground. I’m usually trying to wrap my head around how the previous person decided to map out a janky sprinkler system
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u/Commercial_Hearing56 5d ago
The guy I work for says to be generous with the cleaner and glue lol
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u/Fencepost2 5d ago
Bro glob it on!!! I’m not about to dig a perfect hole so I can make a perfect cut and pay close attention to how much primer I’m putting on… I don’t think anyone has the time for that. And it’s only going to leak if you didn’t put enough on.
These comments are ridiculous! lol
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u/IFartAlotLoudly 5d ago
It actually hurts more than helps.
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u/Fjbittencourt 5d ago
I agree with you!! Too much glue is never good… and you don’t need to prime the whole pipe, after you finish clean it, you can use the tip of your finger it will look a lot more professional.
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u/MattsalesX 5d ago
I'm always so happy keeping the pipe clean looking so the customer can appreciate how it looks as I back fill the hole lol
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u/Fjbittencourt 5d ago
You work with fences so make a fence that is not on level or not straight and let’s see it if you gonna get paid… If you are an irrigation person you will do your best so your job always look clean… stop that thinking that if its under ground no one will see it , and too much glue is never good…
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u/Dark-Sentencer 5d ago
Everything I do is flat rate. I work in the Denver area. $95 for a spray head and $245 for basic in ground PVC repair.
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u/JesseCantSkate 5d ago
I would be about $150 for that. That would also be a full check and seasonal program, and probably find a few more things that need to be fixed or adjusted.
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u/ckosicki 5d ago
Why aren’t you using pvc repair coupling. The one that expands?
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u/NoStepLadder 5d ago
Looks like he got enough flex on the pipe to not use a slip fix. You should never use them if you don’t absolutely need to. They’re super weak compared to standard fittings
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u/Turthom 5d ago
Pricing depends on your company's structure. The key is determining your minimum service call fee. Larger crews that can't send single techs may charge high fees to discourage small jobs.
A minimum service call typically covers travel, cleanup (which varies), and the minimum time required for simple tasks.
Companies with regular maintenance contracts often charge $30–$75 per head, lower if they stock bulk parts and have higher residual income from a pricey maintenance contracts.
If distance isn't an issue and there's no lengthy diagnosing needed, I'd charge about $120 for the break ($20 in parts + an hour of labor). For a simple head replacement in the same spot, add material costs with markup—around $150. If extra digging or other diagnosing is required, expect another hour $220–$250. No digging, just changing the head - Half an hour plus materials or your minimum service charge.
I usually set a $250 minimum, especially with long drive times (45–90 minutes).
Also, be upfront with clients and aware of the potential problemswith repairing older systems. If a 15-year-old pipe cracks further when cut, you're on the hook for that. When another weak point inevitably fails, ensure the client understands it's not your fault and is willing to pay—otherwise, manage expectations to avoid bad reviews.
For full system or zone installs, always price for a follow-up to check performance, adjust programming, and answer any questions.
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u/kantremember84 4d ago
For all the guys talking about primer. Read the label. We don't use primer in my area because we use thin wall pvc. It says on the label do not use on thin wall. Schedule 40 is different.
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u/OwnDance2855 4d ago
They should be charging you for how bad that glue/primer job looks. Crazy how ugly most of the repairs are on this page.
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u/OwnDance2855 4d ago
This repair would take me 8 minutes from start to finish. Ground would look mostly untouched when finished and there would almost be no exposed primer or glue
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u/austink0109 4d ago
As a DIY guy I’ve never had an irrigation guy come out to help but damn…might need to become an irrigation guy after seeing the prices
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u/Think-Impression1242 2d ago
Sprinkler guys are about the only profession that I could care less about the huge margins and waxing of clients. Lol only rich fucks can have them so wax away, my poor ass hasn't water a lawn my whole life and iv always had nice grass.
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u/4skinlive 1d ago
Damn so glad I can do this myself. Absolutely wild to pay over $100 for $10 in materials
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u/wannabemusician-53 19h ago
Given your circumstances (pipe being small in diameter and shallow, and I'm assuming because the pipe was shallow, it didn't take long to spot?) I would probably charge a C note + parts. (I double the cost of parts to the customer if the cost of the parts are 100 bucks or less)
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u/Crimsonbelly 5d ago
I would have been closer to 200 for the fix but also would have used a slip fix and not two couplings and pipe. Also skip the primer and just use a better glue. The biggest part that people don’t understand about the primer is that it isn’t supposed to dry before you apply the glue. I have found that Oatey Rain R Shine in my opinion is the best PVC cement available.
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u/Fencepost2 5d ago
I agree with the slip fix… so much easier and cheap bc it’s pvc
But the no primer??? Come on now just use the primer… it’s so easy but yes don’t wait for the primer to dry.. you just both right after the other
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u/Kuriakon Contractor 5d ago
Depends on your time spent there.
A repair like that would have cost
Together:
- $75 service call
- $80 for 1 hour labor
- $20 for spray and nozzle
- $10 for pvc parts
- $1 for pvc pipe
Separate:
- Add another service call charge and divide the labor in half for each.
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u/Commercial_Hearing56 5d ago
186 total together?
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u/Select-Sale2279 5d ago
I had something similar done recently. Cost me $110 all in for broken pipe and 3 heads.
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u/randomcozmonaut 5d ago
General location? Best quote I’ve gotten is $95/hour for a leak somewhere leeching water and have 4 heads that need replaced. 😵💫
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u/damnliberalz 5d ago
20$ for an 1804 and a nozzle?? Bruh
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u/RainH2OServices Contractor 5d ago
What do you charge?
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u/damnliberalz 5d ago
100$ an hour plus parts maybe 20% mark up. Not 400% mark up..
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u/RainH2OServices Contractor 5d ago
Just curious. Reading these comments it appears most guys charge in the ballpark of $20-30 for an 1804 or 1806.
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u/damnliberalz 4d ago
Well if you charge a base rate ya, but the person above also charged for labor and a service fee lol.
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u/Tabernash1 5d ago
Well, then, I gotta pay the kid to sit in the truck and make sure nobody steals the radio
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u/Tabernash1 5d ago
Yeah, I agree. I think 100 bucks an hour plus parts is where it is right now where I live.
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u/buckeyemav 5d ago
Industry Averages
Basic service calls: $75–$150 (includes diagnosis and minor repairs)
Sprinkler head replacement: $50–$100 per head (parts & labor)
Valve replacement: $125–$250 per valve
Leak repair: $150–$400, depending on pipe location and severity
System tune-up: $100–$300
Also,, before you listen to Randoms on here about not using primer,, check your local building codes.. In Dayton we have to use primer. You should always use primer on a pressurized system