Anybody can show up in a truck with a company name on it and say they’re an Orlando irrigation contractor.
Some things are great to buy from a truck. Like ice cream. Or tacos.
But when it comes to irrigation contractors, you want a business that’s expert, stable, and dependable.
Not basic.
Here’s how to evaluate Orlando or Apopka irrigation contractors to find out if they’re the ones for your job.
Do They Have a Physical Office?
Make sure they have a permanent business location with an actual address — not just a truck.
They should be an established, dependable irrigation contractor you can easily reach later.
Ask About Irrigation Contractors’ Experience
Find out how long they’ve been in business. Look for an irrigation contractor with a history of excellence and good reviews that dates back several years.
Maybe your sprinkler repair is an easy fix that even a newcomer to the industry can handle.
But what if it isn’t?
You need an expert at diagnosing the problem, zeroing in on the cause, and fixing it quickly.
Ask to See Their License
An irrigation contractor’s license is required for anyone planning to install lawn sprinkler systems as a for-profit business in Florida.
You can’t just pop into an office and get one. There are strict licensing requirements, including being insured with public liability and property damage insurance, taking courses, and passing exams.
Do They Have Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
The law requires Orlando irrigation contractors to insure their workers. This is to guarantee that, should anything happen in the course of a project, insurance companies will compensate them. If you hire a company without insurance, you’ll be liable for any injuries that occur on your property.
But guess what? The law doesn’t require single-person companies to have insurance. Another good reason to steer clear of that guy-in-a-truck business.
Have a Chat
When you ask them how they’ll approach your irrigation work, do they offer details? Or just a vague description of what they’ll do?
Listen for details.
Here’s a good example: A 4-inch pop-up sprinkler head is standard for lawns. Placed underground, it rises when the water turns on and waters your lawn.
But Floratam St. Augustine grass is the most common type of grass today for homes and businesses in the Central Florida area. And this type of grass should be maintained at 4 to 4.5 inches high.
So an Orlando lawn sprinkler system needs 6-inch heads, not 4-inch, because they rise up higher to clear the taller grass.
This is the kind of detail an experienced pro might offer.
Research Orlando Irrigation Contractors on Google
When you do a Google search for irrigation contractors in Apopka or Orlando and company names start popping up, note their Google reviews.
How many stars out of five do they have? And just as important: how many reviews?
If a ton of people left reviews and the company also has close to five stars, they’ve made a lot of lawn owners happy.
When you check the Google reviews for Ground Source, you’ll like what you see: 4.8 out of 5 stars with 242 reviews.
Do They Have a Comprehensive Website?
Good irrigation contractors in Orlando invest time and money in their websites to make it easier for potential customers to learn about them.
Look for testimonials from satisfied customers.
Do they explain all their services and how they make it easy and comfortable to work with them?
Do they provide educational and informative blog articles?
Do they make it easy to sign up and contact them?
Experienced irrigation contractors want you to know they’re professional and skilled, so that should show up on their website.
What Does Their Proposal Look Like?
There are some clues here that give you a sense of irrigation contractors’ expertise.
There should be lots of details in here, from the project start and end date to the details of each project step to who’s responsible for obtaining permits. Full warranty details should be included, too.
Is their bid in the ballpark? When you ask a few irrigation companies for bids, their estimates should be similar.
If they know what they’re doing, and have the experience, equipment, and skills to do the job, they’ll know how much it will cost them to handle your installation or repair. And they’ll bid accordingly.
Beware of a super low bid.
What Components Do They Use?
Like most things, irrigation system components come in varying levels of quality.
Here at Ground Source, we use Rain Bird and Hunter valves, heads, and controllers.
Beware of irrigation contractors who tell you they can install lawn sprinklers for much less than their competitors. They’re likely using lower-quality components.
Will They Teach You How to Use Your New System? Or Dig and Dash?
A great irrigation contractor won’t just install your irrigation system then run. They want you to be comfortable using it and have the knowledge to get the most from it.
And they’ll be there for you down the road if you have questions.
Will They Give You References?
Ask for the names and phone numbers of recent clients so you can ask them about their experiences with the contractor.
No references? No sale.
Ask What Sets Them Apart
A great irrigation contractor in Apopka should be happy to tell you. After all, if a company can’t tell you why you should hire them, why should you?
At Ground Source, we offer several features you won’t find everywhere else. Including:
- We won’t install irrigation beneath future patio walkways, patios, and driveways without first installing a sleeve. This prevents unnecessary labor and costs if something breaks later on.
- We use 6-inch irrigation heads, but not every installer does. They pop up out of the ground 2.5 inches higher than standard heads, which means they clear your lawn, and water more efficiently.
- Our installation of underground sprinkler heads in turf areas includes 12-18 inches of flex pipe, greatly decreasing the odds of a broken pipe when a lawnmower or car hits the irrigation heads.
- Expect irrigation system repairs in 24-48 hours. You need help right away with irrigation emergencies.
- Expect your lawn sprinkler system installation within 10 days of our estimate. Why wait?
- Once we install your new irrigation system, we’re behind you throughout the one-year warranty period for any defects in materials and/or workmanship. (On top of our one-year warranty, manufacturers typically offer 3 to 5-year warranties on parts.)
Need Expert Orlando Irrigation Contractors? Trust Ground Source
We hope you take a few minutes to check out Ground Source. Visit our website. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting as you search for irrigation contractors in Orlando or Apopka.
You’ll find lots of customer reviews to put your mind at ease. You’ll see exactly what services we offer and what makes us good at our work. You’ll discover educational, informative blog articles that boost your irrigation knowledge and help you ask all the right questions.
Want a quote? Need to call us? We make it easy.
Then, you can count on us to stick around, for important routine maintenance as well as any irrigation repair needs that pop up.
We’re irrigation experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
