How Much Does a Lawn Irrigation System Cost? Your 2025 Lawn Irrigation Pricing Guide.

Are you considering investing in an automatic lawn irrigation system and wondering what that might cost in 2025? Are you wondering what different systems and technologies are available? If you are, then we are here to help, especially since most websites don’t talk about pricing as much as they should! So whether you are building a new home and looking to budget your expenses or wanting a glow-up for your existing lawn, understanding the options and price differences is critical.

At Wetlands, we understand how overwhelming (and exciting for us, lawn dads out there) this step can be, and that’s why we’ve created this in-depth pricing guide to help you make a more informed decision. By the time you’ve finished reading this, you’ll be talking “sprinkler” like a pro!

And remember an important fact: Not all irrigation systems are created equal: smart controllers, sprinkler head height, and coverage density can all impact the cost, maintenance, and long-term value. Furthermore, you need to understand that the initial price is NOT the same thing as operating and maintenance costs for your irrigation system, all of which we will try to answer in this article.

Sprinkler System Costs and the Factors That Impact Pricing

Average Price Ranges

So, to give you what you came here for, here is a range of pricing based on typical lot sizes in town, and then we will address some of the factors that can determine your individual pricing.

• Small lot or front yard only: $4,500–$7,500
• Medium lot: $7,500–$10,500
• Large lot: $10,000–$15,000 or more

Factors That Impact Irrigation System Pricing

Complexity

One of the largest contributors to the price is the complexity of the lawn. For example, a newly constructed home without fences or mature trees will be a simpler, less expensive installation than an existing home with large, mature trees, privacy fences, outbuildings, or other obstacles to be irrigated around. Large open areas where sprinkler heads that cover large areas can be used may cost less than small areas where a larger number of smaller sprinkler heads are required for effective irrigation.

Design

You always want to be sure that your sprinkler system is designed using a principle called “head-to-head” coverage, which just means that all areas of the lawn are being covered by at least two sprinklers to ensure uniform coverage is achieved. This requires more sprinkler heads and zones than a “single coverage” system, but delivers much better results in terms of water use efficiency and greener grass.

Zoning

Zoning is the concept of breaking down your lawn into different watering sections based on the capabilities of your water supply and the different water requirements of your lawn or landscape. Small microclimates exist even in your lawn when you consider the different water requirements of your lawn in a full sun and wind exposure area of your yard versus a shaded and wind-protected area. Making sure that enough zones are used will ensure a healthier lawn and landscape and more efficient use of your water.

Backflow Protection

Based on your water source and city code requirements. City water connections are required by code to be protected from cross-connection contamination, and sprinkler systems are categorized as high-hazard due to pet waste and lawn application products that can potentially be introduced to the system under the right conditions. Most private wells do not require backflow protection.

Products

Smart controllers, rain sensors, taller sprinkler heads, and high-efficiency nozzles are all factors that can impact your final pricing, but have a positive long-term effect on your operating cost of the system, and are a whole other article in themselves.

Landscape Drip Zones

If you will be having landscape beds around your home or elsewhere in the yard, a dedicated landscape drip irrigation system may be needed to properly water your plants without getting overspray on sensitive leaves or your home's exterior.

Operating and Maintenance Costs

Operational Costs

Understanding the extended costs of operating and maintaining your irrigation system is critical and should be considered when thinking about having an irrigation system installed. While it is an investment that will help enhance your curb appeal and extend the life of your lawn and landscape plant materials, it does come with operating and maintenance costs that we don’t want to be a surprise to you.

Depending on your situation, the largest operational expense would be the cost of water. This can be calculated prior to installation of your system by taking the average number of gallons per minute (GPM) used by your sprinkler system and multiplying that by the average run time of the system.

For example, if your sprinkler system design requires fifty sprinkler heads and the average GPM per sprinkler head is 3GPM, then you could simply multiply 50 heads x 3GPM x 30 minutes (average run time per cycle), which equals 4,500 gallons of water used per cycle. Now you can take 4,500 times your local water rate to know what it will cost to run the system one time.

If your system is connected to a private well, then the cost of electricity to operate the pump is your primary operating cost, unless your well water requires treatment to prevent staining, which is rare.

Maintenance Costs

Sprinkler systems require regular maintenance to ensure operational efficiency. Primarily, this would consist of turning on the system and inspecting it thoroughly at the beginning of the watering season. Periodic inspections throughout the season are highly recommended since these systems mostly run unobserved, and issues can go undetected for quite some time. Simple spray pattern adjustments may be necessary due to traffic from mowing, children playing, and landscape plant growth.

Some cities require annual backflow testing that can range anywhere from $75–$150 annually.

Winterization of your sprinkler system is a critical maintenance step, whether your system is self-draining or not. Winterization services can range from $50–$150 or more, depending on the size of your sprinkler system.

How Long Will My Irrigation System Last?

A properly installed irrigation system experiencing normal usage and maintenance can last 30 years or more.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this information has given you a clearer picture of what having a lawn irrigation system installed in 2025 might cost. At Wetlands Irrigation & Turf, we understand the importance of this decision and your desire to get it right, which is why we put together this guide to help educate you and guide your buying decision.

When working with your designer and installer, be thorough in clarifying all potential costs upfront. This will help you avoid unexpected costs during or after the installation. With over 15+ years of trusted local experience, Wetlands has helped homeowners design, install, and maintain irrigation systems that deliver lasting value, and we’d be glad to do the same for you.

Whatever path you choose, we hope you will soon be enjoying the incredible benefits of a lawn irrigation system. It’s not only an upgrade for your property, but also frees up valuable time and helps create an inviting space to bring together family and friends—which is priceless. Visit our Sprinkler & Irrigation Services page to learn more about how we can help.