Who this guide is for
- Homeowners adding an automated watering system to a new or established garden
- People with large borders, vegetable plots, or lawns that are hard to hand-water
- Anyone replacing a failing or patchwork hose-and-timer setup
- Gardeners wanting zoned control across different planting areas
Clarify what you actually want watered
Before contacting anyone, walk your garden and note the distinct watering needs you have. Lawns, deep borders, raised beds, containers, and a greenhouse each behave differently, and grouping them into zones is the heart of a sensible design.
Writing this down turns a vague request into a brief an installer can respond to specifically, which makes proposals easier to compare.
- List separate areas: lawn, borders, beds, pots, greenhouse
- Note which areas dry out fastest or sit in full sun
- Mark where your outdoor tap or supply connection sits
- Flag any planting you want protected during the work
Understand the trade boundaries
Irrigation overlaps with plumbing where it meets your water supply and with low-voltage wiring where controllers and valves are involved. Connections to the mains, backflow protection, and anything affecting your drinking water are areas where requirements vary by location and should be handled by qualified people.
Ask each candidate how they handle the supply connection and controls, and who is responsible for which part. Clear ownership of these boundaries avoids gaps later.
What to ask candidates
Good questions reveal how an installer thinks about your site rather than a generic package. Focus on how they zone, how they protect existing planting, and how the system will be handed over to you.
- How would you zone this garden and why?
- How do you protect existing planting and lawns during the work?
- How is the controller set up, and can I adjust schedules myself?
- What happens to the system over winter in this climate?
- What does aftercare or a seasonal check look like?
Compare proposals on a like-for-like basis
Differences between quotes usually reflect different assumptions, not just different prices. One installer may zone more finely, another may include a smarter controller, and another may exclude the supply connection.
Ask each to describe their scope in writing so you are comparing the same job. Where an item is assumed rather than confirmed, ask them to label it clearly.
- Confirm the number and logic of watering zones
- Check whether supply connection and controls are included
- Note what is excluded or assumed
- Confirm how changes would be handled
Plan for handover and seasons
A watering system is only as good as your ability to run it. Ask how the controller works, how schedules are changed, and what seasonal tasks the system needs in your climate. Routing winterising or any supply work back to a professional is sensible where it involves your mains or pressurised lines.
Irrigation hiring checklist
- 1Map your garden into distinct watering zones
- 2Identify your supply connection point
- 3Write a short brief describing each area's needs
- 4Confirm who handles supply and controls
- 5Ask how existing planting is protected
- 6Request scope in writing from each candidate
- 7Compare zoning logic, not just headline figures
- 8Confirm handover, adjustment, and seasonal care
Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking for a price before describing the garden in any detail
- Treating the whole garden as a single watering zone
- Ignoring how the supply connection and backflow protection are handled
- Comparing quotes that quietly assume different scopes
- Overlooking who sets up and explains the controller
- Forgetting seasonal needs like winterising in cold climates
When to involve a professional
- Connections to your water supply and any backflow protection should be handled by qualified professionals; requirements vary by location.
- Low-voltage controller and valve wiring should follow the installer's professional standards rather than improvised work.
- Local water-use rules and restrictions vary; confirm them with the installer for your area.
- Costs and timelines vary by garden size, planting, and access.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
Do I need a separate plumber for the water connection?
Sometimes. Connecting to your mains supply and providing backflow protection can fall under plumbing rules that vary by location. Ask each installer whether they cover this themselves or coordinate a qualified professional, so there is no gap in responsibility.
How many watering zones should my garden have?
There is no universal number. Zones group areas with similar needs; a sunny lawn waters differently from a shaded border or pots. A good installer will explain their zoning logic for your specific planting rather than apply a fixed template.
Can I adjust the schedule myself after installation?
Usually yes, but it depends on the controller. Ask during hiring how schedules are changed and whether the installer will walk you through it at handover, so you are not dependent on a callout for routine seasonal tweaks.
What happens to the system in winter?
In cold climates, systems often need winterising to protect pipes and valves, and this can involve pressurised lines best handled by a professional. Ask how seasonal care works for your climate before you commit.
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