Drip irrigation installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What drip irrigation installation is

Drip irrigation installation runs tubing with emitters or drip lines along beds, shrubs and trees, with a filter, pressure regulator and timer, so water moves slowly to the roots with little waste. People hire it for garden beds, shrub rows and tree rings where spray heads would waste water or wet the foliage.

Signs you need it

  • Beds and shrubs dry out between hand waterings or the hose is not reaching them
  • Spray heads are wasting water on paths, walls or the lawn next to the beds
  • Plant leaves stay wet from spray, which invites disease in some gardens
  • Trees and new shrubs are not getting deep, even watering through a dry summer
  • You want water delivered on a timer so the garden is watered whether or not you are home

What the pro does

  • The installer maps the beds and plant rows, notes the water supply and the pressure, and plans where each drip line and emitter will go
  • A filter and pressure regulator are installed at the supply, with a timer set to run the zones
  • Mainline tubing is laid from the supply to each bed, with the lines held in place by stakes or clips
  • Drip lines or emitters are placed next to each plant, spaced to suit the plant's root zone and water need
  • The system is flushed, each zone is run and checked for leaks and even flow, and the timer is set with you

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total bed area, the number of plant rows and the number of trees
  • Type of drip product, such as emitter tubing, drip lines or micro-sprayers
  • Water supply pressure and whether a pressure regulator is needed
  • Filter and timer type, from basic to smart controllers
  • Layout complexity, with many small beds costing more time than a few large ones
  • Whether the drip line must run under mulch, through paving or along slopes
  • Whether the system is added to an existing sprinkler system or built on its own

What a written quote should spell out

  • The beds, plant rows and trees covered, with the emitter type for each
  • The filter, regulator and timer models used
  • The tubing and fittings, including the mainline and the stakes or clips
  • The layout and how the water is delivered to each plant
  • Whether the system is flushed and tested before handover
  • The warranty on parts, and what the customer must do to keep the system working

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you match emitter flow to the plants, such as shrubs, trees and perennials?
  • What filter and pressure regulator do you install, and why?
  • Will the drip lines be under mulch, and how do you keep them from being damaged?
  • Can I change the timer schedule myself, and how do I adjust for the season?
  • How often will the filter need cleaning, and how do I do it?
  • Do you flush the system before you hand it over?
  • What do you do if a line is damaged or a dripper clogs?

Red flags

  • They install drip without a filter, so emitters clog within a season
  • They use the same emitter flow on every plant regardless of its size or water need
  • They lay the drip line on top of the soil in a way that is easy to kick or mow over, with no staking
  • They skip the pressure regulator and the supply connection gets over-pressured
  • They do not test the system or show you how the timer works before they leave

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can install a simple drip kit on a small garden, using the kit's instructions, a filter, a pressure regulator and a timer. Call a licensed irrigation contractor if the system ties into the main water supply, needs a backflow preventer, or runs as a large or buried system. For any work that involves a supply line under pressure, shut the water off first and check the connections before you turn it back on.

Licenses and permits

Drip irrigation is commonly licensed when it connects to the water supply or includes a backflow device, and rules differ by area; small homeowner kits are commonly not licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local water utility before you hire or install.

Drip irrigation installation questions

Why does drip irrigation need a filter?

The emitters are small, so grit and debris in the water can clog them. A filter at the supply keeps the system running. Ask the installer how often the filter needs cleaning and how to do it.

How long should I run a drip system?

It depends on the plants, the soil and the weather. Drip waters slowly, so run times are longer than for spray heads. Ask the installer to set the schedule for each zone and to explain how to change it through the season.

Can drip irrigation go under mulch?

Yes, drip lines are often placed under mulch to cut evaporation. Ask the installer how the line is held in place and how it will be protected from digging and damage.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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