How Much Does Sprinkler System Repair Cost?
How Much Does Sprinkler System Repair Cost?
The average cost to repair your sprinkler system is $75 to $250, with most homeowners paying $200. Most sprinkler repairs involve replacing sprinkler heads at $5 to $20 per head, or replacing valves at $20 to $40 per valve, not including the cost of labor of about $75 per hour by a professional plumber.
$75 – $250 average cost to fix
The average cost to repair your sprinkler system is $75 to $250, with most homeowners paying $200. Most sprinkler repairs involve replacing sprinkler heads at $5 to $20 per head, or replacing valves at $20 to $40 per valve, not including the cost of labor of about $75 per hour by a professional plumber.
Sprinkler Systems Repair Costs
The average cost to repair your sprinkler system is $75 to $250, with most homeowners paying around $200, including the labor cost of about $75 per hour for a professional plumber.
Most sprinkler repairs involve replacing sprinkler heads at $5 to $20 per head or replacing valves at $20 to $40 per valve, not including the cost of labor.
More advanced repairs include fixing a damaged backflow preventer at $25 to $420, a malfunctioning sprinkler system controller at $60 to $225, or broken pipes at $100 to $500.
| National Average Cost | $200 |
| Minimum Cost | $75 |
| Maximum Cost | $500 |
| Average Range | $75 to $250 |
Sprinkler Repair Cost Per Hour
To troubleshoot your system, you’ll pay a service call fee and then an additional fee for the repair itself.
Plumbers will typically charge $60 to $90 per hour to fix your sprinkler system, plus the costs of parts. If you only need a single valve or head replaced, you will typically pay for at least one hour of work, as well as the price of parts. After that, pros bill by the quarter-hour.
A tune-up service call for a sprinkler system repair costs $75 to $120, while an emergency service call outside of regular business hours will cost $240+.
Some companies offer a prepaid yearly plan that includes two checkups, a repair discount, and no service call fee at $175 per year.
Irrigation Repair Costs By Type
Sprinkler system repair professionals charge for their time and labor and for any parts needed. When parts need to be replaced, expect a 30% to 100% charge on top of the part cost to cover labor costs. Repairs are usually warrantied for six months to one year, and some parts carry an additional warranty. Most repairs fall into six categories:
| Part | Repair Cost | Price Installed New |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Sprayer Heads | $10 – $90 | $1 – $20 |
| Faulty Valves | $100 – $200 | $40 – $195 |
| Damaged Backflow Preventer | $25 – $420 | $220 – $1,100 |
| Broken or Leaking Pipes | $15 – $500 | $35 – $80 per linear foot |
| Timer/Controller | $10 – $90 | $60 – $120 each |
| Wiring | $1+ per square foot | $60 – $100 |
Sprinkler Head Replacement Cost
Most service calls are to replace broken heads and risers, but you might need a head lowered or raised or a new head added to an existing system. Adding a head costs $70 to $210—about twice to three times as much compared to the replacement cost of $25 to $60.
Sprinkler Head Prices
| Head Type | Part Cost | Repair/Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pop-Up 2” | $3 | $11 |
| Pop-Up 4”–6” | $2 – $5 | $11 |
| Pop-Up 8”–12” | $10 – $12 | $21 |
| Fixed | $7 | $16 |
| Rotating-Impact | $15 | $30 |
| Rotating-Gear Driven | $7 | $16 |
| Misting/Micro | $5 | $15 |
| Bubbler | $1 | $8 |
Sprinkler Valve Replacement Cost
The cost to replace a sprinkler valve is $65 to $290, including parts and labor. Problems could be caused by debris in the valve or a broken valve, so the valve will need to be located, possibly excavated, and cleaned out or replaced. Sometimes, valves can be rebuilt instead of replaced. Other times, wiring can get damaged or disconnected which needs to be fixed instead of the valve—ask your technician about this possibility.
Backflow Preventer Repair Cost
Replacing a backflow prevent costs $150 to $400 just for the part, plus $50 to $200 for professional labor. A state-certified backflow tester will need to check out the problem and provide a solution.
Backflow preventers exist to stop dirty water from flowing back into the main water supply from your sprinkler heads. This has to be avoided so your lawn chemicals and dirt don’t end up in your drinking water. You can be fined for disconnecting the part, and your home's water supply can be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
Fix Sprinkler Zone & Timer Wiring Issues
Installing a new sprinkler system controller and timer costs $150 to $225 on average, plus labor. However, your technician may only need to reprogram or rewire your unit, at an average cost of $80.
If wiring is an issue you can expect to pay $1 per square foot including labor, and sometimes you may need to hire an electrician at $50 to $80 per hour.
Common controller problems include:
Hidden programs – Sometimes there are hidden secondary programs scheduled. Before you call a technician, make sure any unwanted secondary programs are deleted.
Memory reset – You can remove the battery and leave it to sit for a few hours to let it reset before restarting it, although your controller might have a reset button.
Blown fuses – If your controller keeps blowing fuses or showing “short,” there’s a problem with the controller or field wiring, and a technician will need to be called to replace either one.
Cost To Repair Broken Sprinkler Pipe
The typical cost to replace a leaking sprinkler pipe is $1 to $3 per linear foot of PVC pipe, and $3 to $6 per elbow or connecting piece. Total prices will run $35 to $80 per linear foot including installation.
The total cost for a professional plumber to locate and repair a burst pipe is $150 to $500. Repairing a sprinkler system pipe will include digging down to it and replacing the broken segment. Costs depend on the width of the pipe and the excavation required to access it.
Lawn Sprinkler System Removal Costs
If you’re redoing the entire yard and want to remove your lawn sprinkler system you can expect to pay a pro $40 to $85 per hour. Some pros recommend to cut off the system, remove the heads, and leave the pipes in place if it doesn't interfere with any other landscaping plans.
Many insurance companies offer a discount by having your sprinkler system in working order—because of its ability to slow down the spread of an outdoor fire.
Sprinkler Care & Repair Prevention Costs
The average service call costs $60 to $120 for regular sprinkler maintenance. The easiest way to care for your sprinkler system is to set up a maintenance contract with your sprinkler system installers. They’ll come at least twice a year to make sure everything is in good working order and replace and repair anything broken. The average cost for a prepaid yearly plan that includes two checkups, a repair discount, and a service call fee is $175.
Sprinkler system maintenance includes:
Proper winterization in fall – A professional charges $50 to $150 for winterization which involves forcing all the water out of the pipes so they won’t burst.
Reactivation in spring
Regular lawn care
Confirming all heads are popping up to their full height and spraying in the full arc and distance they were set to spray
Cleaning and replacing any cracked or broken heads as needed
Making sure the controller is timing the watering of each zone for the right amount of time and that there is enough water pressure
Sprinkler repair FAQs
How do I know if I need sprinkler repair or replacement?
Typically a sprinkler system will start to go out around at 20 years old. Be on the lookout for water bubbling around heads, zones that won't turn on, or dry spots in your yard. If you see any of these problems or broken parts, call a pro to evaluate.
Repair your irrigation system – Cracked pipes and broken sprinkler heads are quite inexpensive to replace, and what seems to be a big problem might simply be a faulty controller rather than problems with the whole system. In these cases, it makes more sense to repair what’s broken. If you’re repairing parts every few weeks or months, though, your costs could exceed what it would have cost to install a new system. A repair will cost approx. $75 to $250.
Replace your sprinkler system – If you’re redesigning your yard and need to install something that’s more efficient with water use, it could make more sense to remove the old system and install a newer one. If all your system’s parts are decades old, one with newer technology will be a lot more efficient and cost-effective in the long run. Some homeowners can save up to 40% or their original water usage with the replacement. The replacement cost will be approx. $0.04 per square foot of ground watered plus the cost to remove the old system of $40 to $85 per hour.
Upgrade your irrigation system – You might only need newer pipes and connection points, or an upgraded zoning system, or a new controller. This could still come in at less than the cost of a new system and will cause less of your yard to be dug up. Some homeowners choose to replace a few key parts of the system each year (for $25 to $500 per part) so as to spread out the cost of replacing everything. Sprinkler system repair technicians agree that most systems only need about 20% of the parts replaced to function as they should permanently.
How do I fix a sprinkler system cheaply?
Common sprinkler system problems include a damaged backflow preventer, faulty valves, broken sprayer heads, a malfunctioning sprinkler system controller, and/or broken or leaking pipes. It’s a fairly easy job to locate and replace broken sprinkler heads, and even to reset a controller, but it’s much more difficult to locate broken or leaking pipes and valves. You’ll probably need to call an irrigation service specialist to do that for you at an average cost of $75 to $250.
How much does it cost to install a new sprinkler system?
The average cost to install a sprinkler system on a quarter of an acre lot is $1,800 to $5,200, reflecting an installation cost of approximately $0.40 per square foot of ground watered.
Are fire sprinkler system installation costs the same as irrigation installation costs?
The two system are very different as one operates inside a building in response to a fire while the other operates throughout the expanse of a yard 2–3 times a week. A fire sprinkler system costs $2 to $7 per square foot to install in an existing building.
How much is a sprinkler system inspection?
A service call for a sprinkler system repair during regular business hours will cost about $50 to $90, but if you call during non-working hours, you can pay up to $240 for the service call.
DIY vs. Hiring a Sprinkler Repair Pro
A sprinkler system repair company will charge $50 to $90 per hour for labor, so fixing it yourself will save you that part of the repair expense. However, a licensed irrigation repair specialist will likely be more knowledgeable about your sprinkler patterns, backflow prevention, and local plumbing and electrical codes, which can frequently save money in the long run.
Look for contractors who have as many of the following characteristics as possible:
Have been in business for at least three years
Are insured and bonded
Licensed (if required in your state)
Have great reviews on HomeGuide and Google
Offer warranties on labor and parts
Can show examples of similar work they have done in the area
Communicate clearly and quickly
Give a detailed, easy-to-understand proposal in writing with itemized costs
