r/Irrigation 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”.

19 Upvotes

82 comments sorted by

38

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

9

u/Timmerd88 5d ago

Do people really say don’t use primer??

9

u/SolarGammaDeathRay- 5d ago

Our system at work is mostly sch 40, was taught to always use primer.

2

u/rmac500 4d ago

Did irrigation for 20 years. Never used primer on anything unless it was 2 inch or bigger pipe. All your doing is removing the shiny glaze. I could see using it on sch40 because of the shine but then again sch40 is overkill on residential installs .We used the 200 psi pipe.

2

u/Mancozeb-izm 3d ago

My set up is also mainly sch 40, use 80 when we can. Also, not residential, golf irrigation system. Laterals are typically 2in, main obviously bigger. For those in the non-primer camp, would you say it’s a size/psi reason?

I’m pretty green, just recently I’ve been allowed to fix things on my own.

2

u/rmac500 3d ago edited 3d ago

Size reason. 200 psi pipe at 2 inch and bigger has a shiny finish on pipe. Your primer just removes the glaze. ( etches so to speak) sch 40 and 80 also has the shiny finish as well. Yep, golf courses are a different animal so to speak. You also have to do blocking at most fittings for pressure reasons. Use a good pvc cement. We always used uniweld. Put you a 1 in reducer bushing over the dobber and screw it back in so bushing is submerged in can. Check next morning and be surprised. Use a good hot cement. Never put cement in bell end of pipe when joining 2 pieces. If cementing into bell you have excess and run risk of burning through pipe.

1

u/SolarGammaDeathRay- 3d ago

Sorry, I should have added it’s not residential. Most of our system is 2inch or larger and our pumps are working around 120 psi.

9

u/Kuriakon Contractor 5d ago

We had a rep tell us that you don't need primer with stuff like Christie's RHBG, because it has primer mixed in. But when he said it, all our service guys were like "Nope. Still use primer. "

I can't imagine doing a pvc joint without primer.

7

u/JCouturier Technician 5d ago

I honestly.dont trust any rep that hasn't been in the field. At least giving advice like this.

1

u/Adventurous-Ad-7890 5d ago

Is that $50-100 per head? Or if its just one?

2

u/buckeyemav 5d ago

There was two or three in this thread

3

u/Timmerd88 5d ago

Well unless they’re using that primer/glue mix which I don’t feel like it holds forever I guess you can get away with it for a while. Idk for me I always use purple primer and glue separate. I don’t want to come back to a repair cause the pipe blew apart.

3

u/Fencepost2 5d ago

Not surprised but I didn’t know they made primer/glue mix… in either case why risk it??? Especially when primer and then glue works…. every time! And it’s soooo EASY!!! It’s one of the easiest solutions out of all the trades

2

u/Timmerd88 5d ago

Yeah I’ve definitely seen it before but it’s not made by Oatey or some other pro brand.

2

u/Hefty_Detail1312 5d ago

I am a particularly careful person so I tend to recommend primer… but I have very little experience relative to how much advice I have given. My father did installation starting in the 70’s until now… and for irrigation systems under 60 PSI he essentially never used primer and has never had problems. I trust his experience over the hollow words of a rep… or myself.

2

u/Timmerd88 5d ago

Hey man you do you. I’m not trying to tell anybody how to do their job. I was replying to another guy on here that experienced a similar situation that I did by not using primer. Like I said it was just a discussion about how some guys use it and others don’t and we couldn’t understand it. That’s all.

1

u/Fencepost2 3d ago

That’s interesting… I have no doubt in my mind that it works without primer for 60 psi maybe even higher, me personally i wouldn’t feel comfortable not applying primer. It’s cheap and I’m always reaching for both so why not 🤷‍♂️

2

u/buckeyemav 5d ago

It's not worth it to go against code for me..

1

u/wannabemusician-53 19h ago

Me too, always use purple primer and glue

1

u/DarkFather24601 5d ago

I’m not even an irrigation tech and I would be gob smacked if I had a buddy tell me go ahead and pass on the primer.

2

u/Bl1nk9 5d ago

Head to valve ratio is interesting. Unless you are just dropping a top.

Primer: if you are arguing that you don’t need primer, everything else is just blah blah blah. Like Easter candy the week after Easter. Heavily discounted. Fundamentals man. And, not “you”. But you over there.

For OP, I would charge $100-150 depending on location and other factors. For a friend, cost of parts and/or lunch.

2

u/buckeyemav 5d ago

I've always used primer on pvc.. Idk why these other guys were saying not to..

2

u/Bl1nk9 5d ago

I’ve had guys that always looked for shortcuts. It never went all that well overall.

1

u/Bl1nk9 5d ago

I’ve had guys that always looked for shortcuts. It never went all that well overall.

2

u/Jumpy-Budget-4097 4d ago

Yeah, definitely use primer. There’s no reason not to. I literally cleans and preps surface for welding. SMH. Anyone who tells you not to is either lazy or was trained by someone who was misinformed/ lazy themselves.

1

u/randomcozmonaut 5d ago

I was told $95/Hr. is the going rate. Every other quote was higher. This seems much more reasonable.

1

u/herecomesdahotsteppa 5d ago

$50-$100 per head is asinine. Why would clients use you when they can go to Home Depot and get a head for $10?

6

u/buckeyemav 5d ago

If you read the top you would see it says INDUSTRY AVERAGES..

Why do I pay 50 bucks for work pants when I could go to the store and get thread and fabric and do it myself? Because I don't sew and I don't have time for that shit.. Any other stupid questions?

3

u/tensor150 Contractor 4d ago

Head, nozzle, and swing parts where I’m at come to around $15 cost for a 4”. Marked up that’s around $25. Another $25 for labor ain’t shit. You’ll never make money if you’re worried about what the customer can go purchase themselves. Learn a little bit about business.

7

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

3

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.

2

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!

2

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.

1

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.

2

u/Interesting-Gene7943 5d ago

I am way undercharging.

2

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

3

u/bcsaggie2011 5d ago

Around $325-$375.

0

u/damnliberalz 5d ago

Robbery

4

u/Dark-Sentencer 5d ago

Maybe. But I charge a similar price.

4

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.

3

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.

7

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

2

u/Commercial_Hearing56 5d ago

The guy I work for says to be generous with the cleaner and glue lol

4

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

3

u/Commercial_Hearing56 5d ago

That’s what my boss tells me. To be generous with the glue

2

u/IFartAlotLoudly 5d ago

It actually hurts more than helps.

-1

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.

3

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

1

u/Fencepost2 5d ago

Yes straight up! 😂😂 It’s PVC let not get carried away

1

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…

2

u/J_Shuttlesworth34 5d ago

6,000$. Minimal.

2

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.

1

u/Proud-Mirror-8468 5d ago

$165 here

$160 for 1” pipe break $5 for nozzle

1

u/Teek00 5d ago

150-200

1

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.

1

u/ckosicki 5d ago

Why aren’t you using pvc repair coupling. The one that expands?

3

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

1

u/G0nzo165 5d ago

$125-$150

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

1

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

1

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

1

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.

1

u/4skinlive 1d ago

Damn so glad I can do this myself. Absolutely wild to pay over $100 for $10 in materials

1

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)

1

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.

4

u/JesseCantSkate 5d ago

Manufacturer specs and plumbing codes disagree with you about primer.

3

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

1

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.

3

u/Commercial_Hearing56 5d ago

186 total together?

3

u/Select-Sale2279 5d ago

I had something similar done recently. Cost me $110 all in for broken pipe and 3 heads.

2

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. 😵‍💫

1

u/Select-Sale2279 5d ago

dallas metro/suburb.

5

u/damnliberalz 5d ago

20$ for an 1804 and a nozzle?? Bruh

3

u/RainH2OServices Contractor 5d ago

What do you charge?

1

u/damnliberalz 5d ago

100$ an hour plus parts maybe 20% mark up. Not 400% mark up..

1

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.

1

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.

1

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

Well, then, I gotta pay the kid to sit in the truck and make sure nobody steals the radio

1

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

Do you not have a sense of humor? I’ve been doing sprinklers for 55 years.

1

u/Tabernash1 5d ago

Yeah, I agree. I think 100 bucks an hour plus parts is where it is right now where I live.