A homeowner's guide to hiring well.
A sprinkler system is a 15- to 20-year investment buried in the ground. The contractor you hire today determines what that investment looks like a decade from now.
Below is the checklist Pro Green's own family uses when hiring trades on their own homes — and the criteria we believe any homeowner should ask of any irrigation contractor before signing a contract. We are happy to be measured against it.
Long-Term View
Does the company have a long-term outlook and horizon, or are they only trying to get paid and finish the job? We create long-term relationships.
Professionalism
Contractor-grade materials from manufacturers like Hunter and Rain Bird. Neat, well-presented crews. References from satisfied clients of 5–10+ years.
Pipe & Flow Efficiency
We use 1" poly pipe or larger. Does the company get by using 3/4" like most lesser competitors?
Insurance & Compliance
A minimum of $3 million in liability insurance. Current WSIB clearance under the Workers Compensation Act.
Credentials & Memberships
CIC accreditation. Members of Landscape Ontario and the CNLA. Visible investment in employee training.
Documentation & Transparency
Written estimates with signed contracts. Clearly itemised costs, timeline, payment schedule and material specification.
Operational Quality
Well-equipped, fully-stocked service vehicles. A proper storage facility. Full-time staff available year-round.
Warranty & Installation
Industry-standard or superior warranty terms. Work performed by the contractor's own employees, never sub-contracted.
The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest system.
A poorly-installed sprinkler system reveals itself in year three — heads buried under the lawn's growth, valves leaking, controllers no one stocks parts for any more. The quietly excellent installer costs slightly more on day one and considerably less every year after.
Get a Pro Green Quote →Hiring Questions Most Homeowners Forget to Ask
Beyond the basics, here are the questions that separate competent contractors from genuinely good ones.
How many years of references can you provide?
Pro Green provides local reference lists on request, and our oldest active clients have been with us since the 1990s.
Do you use your own employees, or sub-contractors?
We use only our own crews and technicians, year-round.
What is the warranty — and what exactly does it cover?
Pro Green offers 5 years on workmanship, plus the original manufacturer warranties on parts.
Will you call utilities before digging?
Yes. We coordinate full utility locates as a non-negotiable part of every install.