New Systems & Full Replacements

Designed Right.
Installed Right.
First Time.

New irrigation system installation across the North Fort Worth corridor — owner-designed and owner-installed by licensed Texas irrigator Landon Melvin. Built for North Texas clay soil, Texas heat, and Texas freezes. Every system quoted on-site after an honest walkthrough. No estimates over the phone.

📞 Call (817) 993-9306 See the 8-step process →

Direct Answer

New residential irrigation installations in the North Fort Worth area typically range from $2,500 to $8,000+, depending on lot size, zone count, soil, head type, smart controller choice, and city permit requirements. Every system is quoted individually after an on-site walkthrough — never over the phone.

Before We Talk Installation

Do You Actually
Need a New System?

Landon doesn't sell new systems to people who don't need them. Many "I need a new sprinkler system" calls turn out to be repair jobs that cost a fraction of an install. Here's how to tell which category you're actually in.

Probably a Repair

Your system has a problem, but the bones are good

A specific zone or group of zones has a problem you can point at
The controller is working or can be swapped for a new one
Most heads are in good shape and spraying correctly
The system was installed within the last 15 years
Valves are working, even if one or two need replacement
The call: Sprinkler repair at $75/hr labor — see the repair page

Probably a New System

Multiple things are failing or the design was wrong from the start

Coverage has never been right — chronic dry spots, overspray onto hardscape
Multiple zones are failing at once and the system is more than 20 years old
Main-line leaks or recurring underground failures
Original installer was unlicensed or the system has no permit record
Property was re-landscaped or expanded and the existing system can't be adapted
The call: Schedule an on-site walkthrough — Landon quotes in person, not over the phone

The Education Section

Six Ways a New Install
Can Fail Before You Even Use It.

If you're shopping for an irrigation installer, the cheapest quote is almost always cheap for a reason. Here are the six places corners get cut — and what each one actually costs you two years, five years, and ten years later. Read this before you sign anything, with anyone.

FAILURE MODE 01

The Valve Class Was Wrong

Valves are the moving parts of an irrigation system — the components that open and close every time a zone runs. They also fail before anything else. There's a massive quality gap between a commercial-grade Hunter/Rain Bird/Irritrol valve ($35–$55 each) and a bargain-bin plastic valve ($12–$18 each). The cheap ones crack, leak, or fail in 2–4 years. The good ones last 15–20 years.

Multiply that by 8 valves in a typical system and you have real money — either saved upfront and paid back in repairs, or spent upfront and forgotten about for a decade.

What it costs you: A cheap valve failing in year 3 runs $120–$180 to replace, times several over the system's life. Easily $1,000+ over 10 years.

FAILURE MODE 02

The Zones Weren't Hydraulically Designed

Every zone on a sprinkler system has a water budget — the maximum flow (GPM) and pressure (PSI) available from the water supply. Cram too many heads onto a single zone and the pressure drops, spray patterns collapse, coverage fails, and the whole zone is effectively useless from day one. The math isn't hard, but it does require actually measuring the water supply, knowing the flow rate of every head type, and calculating zone capacity before installation.

A lot of installers skip this calculation and just "eyeball it" — which is why so many systems have chronic coverage problems that no amount of repair visits will fix. It was wrong from the start.

What it costs you: Chronic dry spots, dead turf, and "we've tried everything" — you can't fix hydraulics with repairs. Whole-zone reinstallation is the only solution.

FAILURE MODE 03

The Backflow Preventer Was Plastic, Not Brass

The backflow preventer is the device that keeps sprinkler water from flowing backward into your house's drinking water supply. It's required by Texas law, and it takes a beating — sitting outside, exposed to freeze, heat, and UV for decades. There are two kinds: brass (the industry standard, lasts 20+ years) and plastic (cheaper upfront, fails in 5–8 years from UV and freeze damage).

Cheap installers use plastic. Good installers use brass. A plastic backflow preventer that cracks in a hard freeze will flood your yard, ruin your next water bill, and in rare cases contaminate household water.

What it costs you: A plastic backflow failing in a hard freeze: $400–$900 to replace, plus possible water damage to landscape or house.

FAILURE MODE 04

The Heads Were Wrong for the Zone

There are several fundamentally different kinds of sprinkler heads, and mixing them incorrectly guarantees failure. Spray heads throw water fast and are good for small areas. Rotor heads throw water slowly and evenly over large areas. MP Rotators split the difference. Drip lines water beds and trees directly. Putting spray and rotor on the same zone means one group will overwater while the other underwaters — no matter how long you run it.

A well-designed installation matches head types to the zone and the zone to the landscape feature it's watering. A cheap installation uses whichever heads were on the truck that day.

What it costs you: Runoff, erosion, dead turf, wasted water, impossible programming. Fix = re-design the entire zone.

FAILURE MODE 05

The Pressure Was Never Regulated

Municipal water pressure in North Fort Worth varies from 60 to over 100 PSI depending on the neighborhood, the time of day, and the season. Most sprinkler components are rated for a maximum of 70 PSI. Running a system at 95 PSI causes "misting" — where water atomizes into a fog before it hits the ground, evaporates instantly, and doesn't actually water anything. It also wears out components faster.

The solution is a pressure-reducing valve or pressure-regulated heads. A good installer checks supply pressure before the quote and designs for it. A cheap installer skips this step, and you find out in year 2 when you're watering 45 minutes per zone and the grass still dies.

What it costs you: 20–40% more water usage than necessary, dramatically accelerated component wear, and coverage that gets worse every year.

FAILURE MODE 06

The Permit Was Never Pulled

Most North Fort Worth cities require a plumbing and irrigation permit before a new system is installed. This permit verifies the installer is licensed, the design meets code, the backflow preventer is installed correctly, and the system passes a final inspection before it's used. Skipping the permit is faster and cheaper — and it creates liability at resale, leaves you with no legal recourse if something fails, and guarantees no inspection ever caught the other five failure modes above.

Landon pulls permits. That's not a brag — it's the baseline for legal work in Texas. Ask any installer about their permit record before you sign anything.

What it costs you: At resale: inspector flags it, potential retrofit required. Worst case: water damage claim denied by insurance because the system was unpermitted.

How Landon Works

Eight Steps From
Walkthrough to Water.

Here's exactly what happens from the first phone call to the moment your new system runs its first cycle — with honest time and cost expectations at each stage.

The Phone Call

Call or text (817) 993-9306. Describe what you're thinking — new system, replacement, expansion of an existing one. Landon asks a few questions about the property, the water supply, and what prompted the inquiry. If it sounds like a job he should quote, he schedules a walkthrough. If it sounds like something he shouldn't be the right person for, he tells you honestly and points you elsewhere.

Takes: 10 minutes · Costs: $0

On-Site Walkthrough

Landon comes to your property and walks the whole lot. He measures available water pressure and flow at the connection point, maps out the landscape features that need coverage, identifies any soil or slope challenges, and asks about your expectations — smart controller? zone for the garden bed? drip for trees? — so the design matches how you actually want to use it.

Takes: 45–90 minutes · Costs: $0 (no trip fee, no estimate fee)

The Written Quote

Within a day or two, Landon sends a written quote. It's itemized — zone count, head type and brand, valve brand and class, controller model, backflow preventer model, pipe sizing, wire runs, permit and inspection costs if any, labor, and total. No "package" pricing, no mystery bundles, and no upsell lines you didn't ask about.

Turnaround: 1–2 business days · Costs: $0 to receive

Permit & Scheduling

Once you approve the quote, Landon pulls the plumbing and irrigation permit with your city (required in most North Fort Worth municipalities). Permit approval takes 3–10 business days depending on the city. During that window, materials are ordered and an installation date is set.

Takes: 3–10 business days · Costs: Permit fee (passed through at cost)

Trenching & Main Line

Day 1 of installation. Landon trenches for the main line and lateral lines, taps into the water supply at the approved connection point, and sets the backflow preventer. All existing utilities are located in advance (Landon calls 811 himself before breaking ground). Trenches are kept narrow and shallow where possible to minimize lawn disruption.

Takes: Full day 1 · Lawn impact: Minimal once trenches are backfilled

Valves, Heads, & Wiring

Day 2. Valve manifolds are assembled and installed in valve boxes, lateral pipes are connected and pressure-tested, every head is installed at the correct height and angle for its zone, and the low-voltage wire runs from the controller location to each valve are pulled and connected. This is where the design becomes physical.

Takes: Full day 2 · All components pressure-tested before moving on

Controller, Programming & Tune

Day 3. Controller is mounted and wired, each zone is programmed with appropriate run times for the season and your turf type, rain sensor is installed and tested, and every single head is walked, adjusted for arc and radius, and tuned for proper coverage. This tuning step is the difference between "a working system" and "a system that waters every blade of grass correctly."

Takes: Most of day 3 · Tuning is the slowest part — and the most important

City Inspection & Handoff

The city irrigation inspector comes out (Landon coordinates the appointment), verifies the installation meets code, tests the backflow preventer, and signs off. Landon walks you through the controller, shows you how to manually run zones, explains the programming, leaves you the written warranty and permit paperwork, and gives you his direct number for any questions. If it doesn't pass inspection the first time — which is rare — Landon makes corrections at no additional cost.

Takes: 1–2 hours · Passing first time is the standard, not the exception

North Texas Reality

Clay Soil, Texas Heat,
Hard Freezes.

A sprinkler system designed for Austin or San Diego doesn't belong in North Richland Hills. The soil is different, the climate extremes are more punishing, and the water pressure is less consistent. A Texas-designed system accounts for all of it.

The Clay Soil Problem

North Fort Worth sits on heavy black-land clay — soil that absorbs water slowly, holds it long after a rain, and cracks dramatically when dry. A sprinkler zone that runs 20 minutes straight on clay soil will see most of the water run off onto the driveway before it ever soaks in.

The fix is cycle-and-soak programming — running each zone for 5 to 7 minutes, letting the water absorb for an hour, then running it again. Three cycles of 6 minutes is dramatically more effective than one cycle of 18 minutes on clay. Landon's installations are programmed this way from day one.

The Heat Problem

North Texas summers see weeks of 100°+ heat and long stretches with no rain. This is when the system is running every day, under the highest demand, in the most punishing conditions. Components that were "close enough" for spring fail fast in July.

Good installation means pressure-regulated heads, UV-resistant materials on every exposed component, and zone runtimes calculated against actual July demand — not a generic "15 minutes per zone" default. Landon sizes everything for the worst day of the year, not the best.

The Freeze Problem

North Texas gets 2 to 6 hard-freeze events every winter. Each one can burst a backflow preventer, crack a valve, or split a lateral pipe if the system isn't prepared. A single Snowmageddon-level storm can cause thousands of dollars of damage to an un-winterized system.

Installation-time freeze protection means: brass backflow preventer (not plastic), insulation fittings pre-installed on all exposed components, a proper shutdown procedure documented for the homeowner, and controller programming that defaults to OFF in the December–February window.

The Water Restriction Problem

Most North Fort Worth cities have year-round or summer water restrictions — typically limiting lawn watering to 2 days per week and prohibiting it during certain hours. North Richland Hills, Keller, Southlake, and Hurst all have restriction ordinances that change over time.

A correctly installed system is programmed for the restriction schedule from day one. Landon also installs smart controllers (Hunter Hydrawise, Rain Bird ESP, or Rachio) for homeowners who want automatic compliance with weather-based watering adjustments — which saves water even when restrictions aren't in effect.

Apples-to-Apples

What's Included
— and What Isn't.

When comparing irrigation installation quotes, make sure you're comparing the same things. Here's exactly what comes with a Landon installation and what's genuinely out of scope.

Included in Every Quote

What you get

Free on-site walkthrough and pressure measurement
Written itemized quote with specific brands, models, and zone counts
System design — zone layout, head selection, pipe sizing, hydraulics
City permit application and inspection coordination
All parts and materials (brass backflow, commercial-grade valves, name-brand heads)
Trenching, pipe installation, and backfill
Controller installation, wiring, and initial programming
Rain sensor installation and calibration
Full head-by-head coverage tuning after install
First city inspection (and re-inspection if needed at no charge)
Workmanship warranty documented in the quote
Homeowner walkthrough — how to use the controller, adjust zones, winterize

Honest Exclusions

What's not included

Landscaping repair — trenches are backfilled neatly but some turf recovery time is normal
Tree root work or major excavation through existing landscape
Dedicated irrigation meter install (set by the city water department, separate fee)
Electrical work beyond plugging the controller into an existing outlet
Upgrades to the home's main water supply line if pressure is inadequate
Annual maintenance — that's what the Wet Check subscription is for
Concrete cutting or hardscape removal (quoted separately if required)
Sod replacement beyond the immediate trench paths

How much does a new sprinkler system installation cost in North Fort Worth?

New residential sprinkler system installations in the North Fort Worth / Mid-Cities corridor typically range from about $2,500 for a small 4-zone system on an existing water stub to $8,000 or more for a larger 10-12 zone system on a new-construction property requiring permits and inspection. The specific number depends on lot size, soil conditions, zone count, head type (spray vs rotor vs drip), whether a smart controller is included, city permit requirements, and whether trenching or boring is needed. Every installation is quoted individually after an on-site walkthrough — no estimates over the phone, because dishonest estimates set wrong expectations.

How long does a new irrigation installation take?

A typical 8-zone residential installation takes 2 to 3 working days once materials are on-site and permits are in hand. Day 1 is trenching and rough pipe layout. Day 2 is valve assembly, head installation, and wiring. Day 3 is controller setup, final testing, head tuning, and cleanup. Larger systems, permit-required installations, or projects with soil challenges can run longer. Permits add time before the job starts but not during.

Do I need a permit to install sprinklers in Texas?

Yes — most North Fort Worth cities require a plumbing and irrigation permit before a new system is installed. North Richland Hills, Hurst, Keller, and Southlake all require permits. The permit process verifies that the installer is a licensed Texas irrigator, that the design meets city code, that a working backflow preventer is installed, and that the system passes a final inspection before it can be used. Landon handles the permit application and inspection coordination as part of the installation.

What brands of irrigation equipment does Landon use?

Landon installs primarily Hunter, Rain Bird, and Toro components — the three brands with the best long-term reliability, parts availability, and warranty support in the North Texas market. Controllers are typically Hunter Hydrawise or Rain Bird ESP-TM2 for standard installations, or Rachio 3 for smart-home integrations when requested. Heads are chosen based on zone hydraulics, turf type, and coverage requirements. Landon does not use off-brand or bargain parts because the small cost savings up front are not worth the long-term reliability loss.

Why are some irrigation quotes cheaper than others?

Cheaper installation quotes almost always reflect one or more of these: unlicensed installers (illegal in Texas and uninsured); fewer zones than the property actually needs; lower-quality valves that fail in 2-4 years instead of 15-20; plastic backflow preventers instead of brass; hand-tightened connections instead of solvent-welded; no permit or inspection; or no consideration for the soil and pressure of the specific property. A correctly designed and installed system costs more upfront and dramatically less over its lifetime. See the "Six Ways a New Install Can Fail" section above for the full breakdown.

Will Landon work with my existing water line, or does he need new plumbing?

Most installations tap into the existing water supply at an approved connection point — usually the main service line after the meter, with a new backflow preventer installed to protect the potable water. New construction may require a dedicated irrigation meter (set by the city water department). Landon evaluates the water pressure and flow available at the connection point before finalizing the zone count and head type — an undersized water supply is the #1 cause of weak-spray installations.

What warranty comes with a new installation?

New installations from Spray Irrigation Co. carry a full workmanship warranty — if something fails because of how it was installed, Landon returns and fixes it at no charge. Parts carry the manufacturer warranty (typically 2-5 years for valves and controllers, 5 years for most heads from major brands). Workmanship warranty terms and duration are documented in the written installation quote, not a separate contract.

Start With a Walkthrough

Schedule Your
Free On-Site Quote.

Call Landon at (817) 993-9306 and describe what you're thinking. If it's a good fit, he'll come out and walk the property — measurements, pressure check, zone planning, honest conversation. No trip fee. No pressure. No phone estimates.

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