What to bring to the conversation
- Property, dimensions or quantities you know
- Existing condition and items to retain
- Access, occupancy and scheduling constraints
FREE PREPARATION RESOURCE
Irrigation zone, symptom, service-scope and handoff workbook
Free fillable worksheets to organize irrigation zones, observed symptoms, controller references, inspection scope, repair-versus-redesign questions, efficiency options, authorization and handoff before comparing providers.
View the checklist and download the fillable PDF ↗FIND HELP. COMPARE OFFERS. YOU CHOOSE.
Controller replacement
Tell us what you need. Pros can review your request and send you offers. You decide who to hire.
Compare existing wiring and available features.
Start my requestFree to request. No need to hire anyone.
What information helps?
Share what you know. You do not need to know every detail.
- The problem or the result you want
- Where you need the service
- When you would like help
- Your budget, if you have one
Do not guess measurements or costs. You can ask a pro to check them.
Want to learn more before you start?
Open the guide for costs, useful questions and planning tools. You can start your request without reading it all.
Home · THE PROJECT GUIDE
Controller replacement.
Get the details right.
Compare existing wiring and available features.
Map the zones and describe uneven coverage, leaks or control problems. Compare repairs with redesign rather than assuming every issue requires a new system.
Explore freely · Compare thoughtfully · You choose the professional
THE WORK BEHIND THE WORDS
Make this particular service clear.
Start with the distinction below, then define the deliverables and boundaries. If something is unknown, ask the provider to assess it.
Controller replacement · the key conversation
Compare existing wiring and available features.
What to ask for in return
A written description of controller replacement, the assumptions behind the price and which items need further assessment. Ask the provider to explain zone map, pressure or leak assessment, controller details, coverage checks in the context of your request.
| Detail | Get this in writing | Keep the comparison fair |
|---|---|---|
| Existing system and landscape map | Water source, meter or pump, shutoff, backflow device, controller, stations, valves, lines, heads or emitters, planting, sun, soil, slope, hardscape and symptoms. | Use the same zone names and mark what is verified, assumed, inaccessible or still needs testing. |
| Hydraulics, delivery and coverage | Available pressure and flow, pipe sizing, zone demand, valves, distribution method, spacing, application compatibility, regulation, filtration, flush points, leaks, runoff and wind. | Compare the evidence and performance checks, not just head count or brands. |
| Controls and water-use responsibilities | Controller type, station capacity, wiring, master valve or pump relay, rain, freeze, weather, soil or flow sensors, local schedules, connectivity, subscriptions and account ownership. | Separate hardware capability from programming, sensor installation, training and service. |
| Installation, commissioning and handover | Utility locating, permits, excavation, sleeves, depths, restoration, plant protection, flushing, adjustment, testing, as-builts, warranties, seasonal instructions and punch-list correction. | Use milestone acceptance for concealed work, zone commissioning and final owner documents. |
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
See the parts. Then compare the total.
A useful budget explains what the money covers. Keep these cost areas visible rather than relying on a package name or headline figure.
Preparation and investigation
Products and installation
Access, disposal and reinstatement
Approvals, testing and handover
What changes the scope?
Map the zones and describe uneven coverage, leaks or control problems. Compare repairs with redesign rather than assuming every issue requires a new system.
Ask providers to explain how zone map and pressure or leak assessment affect their assumptions. Separate confirmed information from items still awaiting assessment.
What does the chart show?
The planning tool compares amounts you enter over the same period. Fixed charges, rate × quantity, monthly charges and extras stay separate. Its cumulative-cost graph makes different upfront and recurring arrangements easier to understand.
Published references, where available below, show their own units, source and period. They remain separate from your calculator inputs. Employee wages and producer-price indexes are context, not the price a provider will charge. Ask for current proposals for your actual scope.
Explore employee wages by state
Related occupation: Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, business fees or an installed-project estimate.
$14.98U.S. · 10th percentile
$18.82U.S. · Median hourly wage
$27.28U.S. · 90th percentile
The median divides employees into two equal groups. The percentile figures describe the wage distribution; they are not minimum and maximum prices. Unpublished or suppressed estimates remain “Not published.”
Mean wages and interpretation
| Area | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $18.82 | $20.33 |
A provider’s charge also covers costs such as nonbillable time, supervision, vehicles, equipment, insurance, administration and profit. The selected occupation may cover only part of a multitrade project. OEWS does not measure self-employed contractors’ fees. No wage-to-quote multiplier is applied, and these snapshots do not establish a current labor-price trend.
BLS national and state source tables ↗ · SOC 37-3011 · Reviewed October 8, 2026.
YOUR PLANNING DESK
A clearer brief. A better starting point.
Build your request, compare entered costs and download a branded planning pack. Your selections stay here until you choose to continue.
Start with the details that matter.
No account needed to plan. Keep private documents, account numbers, credentials and sensitive case details out of this brief.
Also consider: Access, occupancy and scheduling constraints. Leave unknown details for the provider to assess.
Review your starting brief
Review before continuing. You can edit the wording below. Manual edits stay in place until you choose to regenerate from your answers.
370 characters
Next, review the request in PickYourPro.ai. An account is required to complete it. This step does not send invitations or commit you to a provider. Service availability and provider participation vary.
Opt-in saves form answers only. Manual brief edits, comparison values and checklist selections are not saved. Download a copy to keep them; avoid saving on shared devices.
FROM FIRST QUESTION TO HANDOVER
Know what happens next.
- 1
Define
Describe the outcome and current condition. Mark unknown measurements rather than guessing.
- 2
Assess
Agree any visit or diagnostic fee. Ask what must be checked before the price can be final.
- 3
Compare
Use the same drawings, selections and boundaries for each proposal.
- 4
Complete
Approve changes in writing and collect the agreed completion records.
A planning sequence, not a promised duration. Actual timing depends on the service, the information available and the provider's agreed scope.
WHEN YOU WANT THE DEEPER VIEW
The details worth resolving early.
An irrigation proposal is easier to compare when it begins with a zone-by-zone audit rather than a controller or product list. Record the water source, operating conditions, valves, lines, heads or emitters, controls, planting, soil, slope, hardscape, leaks, dry spots and runoff. That evidence separates an isolated repair from a hydraulic, coverage or programming problem and gives each bidder the same site to evaluate.
For this particular project
Inventory the station count, valve wires and common, master valve or pump relay, power source, enclosure, rain or freeze devices, flow sensing, weather input, soil sensors and unused or damaged conductors before choosing a controller. Compare a basic schedule, weather-based control and soil-moisture control by site compatibility, local restrictions, sensor placement, network coverage, subscriptions, app access, privacy, account ownership and offline operation. A WaterSense label indicates tested product criteria, not correct wiring, zoning or programming. Require labeled conductors, a backup of the old schedule, documented assumptions, and tests for every station and sensor. Handover includes the final program, seasonal adjustment, manual operation, credentials and transfer process.
Use these questions to write my brief ↗- 01Map the site and symptom
- 02Run and test the system
- 03Approve a repair or redesign
- 04Install, flush, adjust and document
- 05Commission and hand over
Is this an isolated repair or a system-level mismatch?
Ask the pro to run every affected zone and show how the diagnosis was reached: visible leaks, valve behavior, pressure or flow clues, head or emitter condition, spacing, overspray, dry areas, pooling and runoff. A broken head, clogged emitter or failed valve may have a focused repair; mixed application rates, undersized piping, changed planting or repeated pressure problems may justify redesign. Keep detection, excavation, parts, restoration and hidden-condition authorization separate so a repair does not become an open-ended replacement.
How should the site deliver and control water?
Match spray, rotor, bubbler, drip or microirrigation to plant material, root zone, soil, slope and exposure instead of mixing unlike application rates on one zone. Confirm filtration, pressure regulation, flush points and check-valve needs where relevant. Compare a basic clock, weather-based controller and soil-moisture controller by compatibility, sensor location, local restrictions, connectivity, account ownership and offline operation. A labeled controller does not replace correct zoning, wiring, programming or commissioning.
Which supply, excavation and compliance responsibilities are included?
Define who confirms the water source, available pressure and flow, shutoff, backflow or cross-connection requirements, permits, inspections and local watering rules. Map utilities before excavation and identify sleeves, valve boxes, routes, depths, roots, hardscape crossings, drainage conflicts and restoration limits. National conservation standards are useful context, not a residential design specification; current state and local requirements, manufacturer instructions and site conditions control the work.
What proves coverage, control and handover?
Require a zone map, controller schedule, equipment and nozzle or emitter schedule, and photographs of concealed work. Commission each zone for leaks, valve and head operation, pressure behavior, alignment, distribution, overspray and runoff; document adjustments and limitations. The owner file should explain manual shutoff, seasonal scheduling, freeze or startup service where applicable, filter and flush maintenance, warranties, credentials and correction of failed acceptance items.
What changes with location and conditions?
- Evapotranspiration, rainfall, freezes, wind, sun and shade, soil intake, slope, plant maturity and water quality change zoning, application and scheduling. Treat federal conservation material as technical reference and use current state or local standards where applicable.
- Watering days, drought restrictions, backflow and cross-connection rules, plumbing or electrical permits, right-of-way work, stormwater controls, rebates and inspection authority vary by jurisdiction and provider. Confirm the current rules before final design.
- Underground utilities, controls, pressure, trenches, wet surfaces, equipment access, roots and hardscape create site-specific hazards. The contractor should identify applicable employer and excavation controls, arrange required locating and protect existing installations.
Documents to collect at completion
- Baseline zone audit: Dated zone map and hydrozone notes; Symptoms, photos and pressure or flow observations; Controller, valves, sensors, heads and emitters inventoried; Assumptions, inaccessible areas and diagnostic limits
- Approved design and scope: Repair or redesign decision with alternates; Zone, pipe, valve, delivery and controller schedule; Permit, locating, backflow, excavation and restoration responsibilities; Exclusions, change authorization and milestone payments
- Installation and as-built file: Utility locate and inspection records where required; Photos and measurements of concealed routes, sleeves and valves; Model numbers, settings, wiring labels and abandoned components; Restoration, punch-list and warranty records
- Commissioning and owner handover: Zone leak, operation, coverage and runoff results; Final controller and sensor schedule with account ownership; Shutoff, filter, flush, seasonal and freeze instructions; Open limitations, contacts and corrective-work deadlines
Compare these promised records before choosing a provider. Keep the originals alongside your planning pack.
PICKYOURPRO.AI · YOUR NEXT STEP
Explain it once.
Compare with more clarity.
Turn what you have learned into a focused request. Give providers the same starting information, review their responses and ask questions about differences in scope, timing and fees.
- 1
Build a clear brief
Describe the service, your priorities and what needs assessment.
- 2
Review responses
Compare what each provider proposes and clarify open questions.
- 3
Choose your provider
Consider relevant experience, scope and terms—not just the lowest number.
Requesting and comparing proposals is free for clients. Provider participation, availability and response times vary. Confirm any separate consultation or inspection charge. Review project unlock terms for later project stages.
GOOD QUESTIONS, CLEARER CHOICES
Before you choose.
What should I include in a controller replacement request?
Compare existing wiring and available features. Include zone map, pressure or leak assessment, controller details, coverage checks where known. Leave unknowns for the professional to assess.
Can I compare prices before an assessment?
You can compare the stated assumptions, scope and fee basis. Ask what must be checked before an offer is final and whether a consultation, inspection or diagnostic visit has a separate charge. For this service, start by clarifying zone map.
How should I handle a lower price?
Ask which tasks, deliverables and terms differ. Use the cost tool to compare the same period and quantities, then review exclusions and professional fit. The smallest calculated number is not a recommendation.
Does the planning pack create an agreement?
No. It records your brief and entered scenarios. You still need to review and agree the provider’s actual proposal and terms. Keep original documents and approvals.
What happens after I continue to my request?
Your reviewed brief enters the existing PickYourPro.ai request process. You will need an account and can confirm the remaining details before completing the request. Provider participation and availability vary.
Are these live market prices?
The planning calculator uses your entered figures. Published references elsewhere on the page are separate, dated observations with their own sources and limitations. Neither is a live provider quote. Employee wages are not billable labor rates, and a producer-price index is not an installed project price.
TRANSPARENT BY DESIGN
Sources and editorial notes.
Prepared by PickYourPro.ai with AI assistance · Framework published October 7, 2026. Expanded research review: Sources checked October 9, 2026. These service-planning questions have not been independently reviewed by a licensed specialist. Local requirements and professional suitability need individual verification.
- FTC: hiring a contractor ↗
Background on written estimates and checking a contractor. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Sprinkler Spruce-Up ↗
Zone inspection guidance covering leaks, broken or tilted heads, pressure, overspray, uniform coverage, controllers and cycle-and-soak scheduling. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Controllers ↗
How soil-moisture controllers override scheduled watering and the distinction between standalone and add-on devices. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers ↗
Weather-and-landscape-based scheduling, device configurations and the WaterSense product specification. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- USDA NRCS — Conservation Practice Standards ↗
National standards are a baseline; state Field Office Technical Guides adapt them to local conditions and requirements. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- USDA NRCS — Sprinkler System (442) ↗
Agricultural conservation standard and state-guidance links; technical context rather than a residential specification. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- USDA NRCS — Irrigation System, Microirrigation (441) ↗
Microirrigation conservation-practice context and direction to current state guidance. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- OSHA — 29 CFR 1926.651 Specific Excavation Requirements ↗
Federal excavation requirements address locating underground installations and protecting exposed utilities as applicable. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
Methodology and updates
Scope questions are organized by service and buying process. The planning calculator uses only entered values. Separately labelled reference charts use public source observations; no private PickYourPro project history is used. A permanent page address does not make a dated reference permanently current. Substantive changes should update the editorial record.
October 7, 2026: initial guide, service-specific scope, planning worksheet and cost-comparison tools published.
Sources checked October 9, 2026: expanded option comparisons, project-specific buying questions, regional considerations and completion records.
KEEP EXPLORING
More irrigation & sprinklers guides.
Sprinkler repair
Identify broken heads, valves and affected zones.
Explore ↗Irrigation installation
Request a zone and equipment plan.
Explore ↗Drip irrigation
List planting areas and control arrangements.
Explore ↗Leak assessment
Separate detection from excavation and repair.
Explore ↗System redesign
Ask how changing planting and water needs are addressed.
Explore ↗