Irrigation Installation In Colorado Springs
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Colorado Springs gets about 14 inches of rain per year. For comparison, the national average is closer to 38 inches, and most of that rain arrives in short, intense bursts during July and August rather than the steady rainfall that keeps a lawn green on its own. Without a properly designed irrigation system, maintaining any kind of planted landscape in El Paso County is either a constant manual effort or a slow-motion loss.
At Incline Landscaping, we design and install irrigation systems built for this specific climate, including spray systems for lawns and planted beds, drip irrigation for xeriscape and garden areas, and smart controllers that adjust automatically based on local weather conditions. We handle everything from the initial design through seasonal startup and winterization, and we serve homeowners and commercial properties throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Falcon, Peyton, Fountain, and Black Forest.
Here are some of the most popular irrigation installation upgrades:
- High end topsoil offerings
- High end sprinkler systems
- Smart adjustment technology
- Edging for your home lawn
Why Irrigation System Design Matters in Colorado Springs
Most irrigation problems start with installation, not equipment. A system designed for a property in Georgia or the Pacific Northwest will not perform the same way on the Front Range, where soil composition shifts from clay-heavy near the Broadmoor to sandy loam in areas around Fountain, where afternoon sun intensity is higher at 6,000 feet, and where water pressure from Colorado Springs Utilities varies across service zones.
A well-designed system accounts for all of this before the first head goes in the ground. That means zoning the property by sun exposure and plant type, matching precipitation rates to soil absorption, sizing heads to avoid dry edges and soggy centers, and placing control valves where they can be accessed easily during spring startup and fall winterization.
Getting this right the first time saves water, saves money on your utility bill, and avoids the patchy, uneven coverage that sends homeowners back to hand-watering in August.
Types of Irrigation Systems We Install
In-Ground Sprinkler Systems
In-ground spray systems are the standard choice for lawns and larger planted areas. We install rotor heads and spray heads depending on coverage area, with pop-up designs that retract flush with the ground when not running. Every system is zoned so different areas of the yard can be watered independently based on their specific needs.
Proper head spacing is one of the most common points where DIY systems fail and where cheap installs cut corners. Heads need to reach each other’s spray radius to provide head-to-head coverage, and that calculation changes based on the size and shape of each zone. We run every zone at the designed pressure before closing the trench to confirm coverage before the system goes live.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of individual plants at a slow, consistent rate, which is exactly what xeriscape plantings, shrubs, trees, and garden beds need. Because water goes where the roots are rather than broadcasting across the surface, you use significantly less water and see significantly less evaporation loss, which matters at Colorado’s altitude and in summer heat that can exceed 95 degrees.
We install drip systems as standalone setups for xeriscape and garden areas, and as components integrated into larger spray systems so both run off the same controller and backflow preventer. Colorado State University Extension recommends drip irrigation for most landscape plantings in semi-arid climates, noting that properly installed drip systems can reduce outdoor water use by 30 to 50 percent compared to overhead spray.
Smart Controllers and Wi-Fi Integration
A smart controller replaces a standard timer and connects to local weather data, adjusting your watering schedule automatically when it rains, when temperatures drop, or when evapotranspiration rates change. For homeowners who travel, manage multiple properties, or simply want to stop thinking about their irrigation schedule, a smart controller pays for itself quickly in water savings and peace of mind.
We install and program smart controllers as part of new system installations and as upgrades to existing systems. If you already have irrigation and the timer is the problem, a controller swap is often one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.
What Does Irrigation Installation Involve?
Getting a system installed is simpler than most homeowners expect, and takes less time than most assume.
The process starts with a site visit where we walk the property, assess water pressure at the main, map the zones, and identify any existing landscaping or hardscaping that affects routing. From there we design the system and provide a written estimate before any work begins.
Installation typically runs one to two days for a standard residential property in Colorado Springs, depending on yard size and complexity. We pull the necessary permits where required, trench at the depth needed to get below the freeze line for Colorado’s climate, and backfill and compact to leave the yard as clean as we found it. After installation, we walk through the full system with you, zone by zone, so you understand what’s running where and how to adjust the schedule.
Spring Startup
At the start of each season we pressure-test the system, check all heads for damage or shifting from the winter freeze cycle, flush lines, and set the controller schedule for spring conditions. We service systems we installed and systems we didn’t, and we can schedule recurring startup and winterization visits on an annual basis.
Fall Winterization
Before the first hard freeze, every in-ground irrigation system in Colorado Springs needs to be blown out with compressed air to clear water from the lines, heads, and valve bodies. Water left in the system will freeze and crack the pipes, heads, and manifold, which means repair costs in spring that far exceed the cost of the winterization itself. We schedule blowouts starting in September and run through October, and we recommend booking early because our fall schedule fills quickly.
Most established landscapes in Colorado Springs benefit from a properly designed system, but the answer depends on what you’re maintaining and what your goals are.
If your yard is primarily lawn, spray irrigation makes sense. If you’ve converted to xeriscape or you’re planning to, drip is the better fit and can be installed as part of the xeriscape project itself. If you have a mix of both, a hybrid system with separate zones for lawn and planted areas gives you the control to water each correctly.
Properties that are about to go through a landscaping redesign are often the best time to install irrigation, since the trenching work is already being done and the system can be designed around the final plant layout rather than retrofitted around an existing one.
The honest answer is that cost varies considerably based on yard size, system complexity, number of zones, and whether existing landscaping needs to be worked around. A basic system for a standard residential lot in Colorado Springs typically starts in the range of $2,500 to $4,500 for installation. Larger properties, properties with multiple distinct planting areas, or systems that integrate drip and spray will run higher.
The cost to run without irrigation is harder to calculate but real: water bills for hand-watering or hose-fed systems, time spent watering, plants lost to inconsistent coverage, and lawn damage that leads to reseeding or replacement. A well-installed system usually pays back the installation cost within a few seasons in water savings alone, particularly with a smart controller managing the schedule.
We provide written estimates after the site visit so you know the full cost before any commitment is made.
Colorado Springs and El Paso County do require permits for irrigation installations that tap into the main water supply line and include a backflow preventer, which covers most residential systems. Incline Landscaping handles permitting as part of every installation, so you don’t need to coordinate with the city directly. We submit the permit, schedule the required inspection, and handle any documentation the city needs before we close the trench.
If you’re replacing or significantly expanding an existing system, permit requirements depend on the scope of work. We clarify this during the estimate visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Irrigation Installation
How long does irrigation installation take in Colorado Springs?
Can you add irrigation to an existing xeriscape?
Will irrigation increase my water bill?
When should I schedule a spring startup?
Do you service irrigation systems you didn't install?
What is a backflow preventer and why does my system need one?
A backflow preventer stops irrigation water from flowing backward into your home’s drinking water supply. Colorado Springs Utilities requires them on all systems connected to the municipal water main. We install a code-compliant backflow preventer as part of every irrigation system we put in, and we can inspect, service, or replace a backflow preventer on any system, including ones we didn’t originally install.
Irrigation Service Areas
Incline Landscaping installs and services irrigation systems throughout El Paso County, including Colorado Springs, Monument, Falcon, Peyton, Fountain, Black Forest, Manitou Springs, and Woodland Park. If you’re outside these areas, contact us and we’ll let you know if we can reach you.
Get a Free Irrigation Estimate
If you’re planning a new system, adding drip to an existing landscape, or upgrading a timer-based controller to a smart system, the first step is a site visit. We’ll walk the property, assess what you need, and give you a written estimate with no obligation. Call us at (719) 799-8977 or contact us online to schedule.
Irrigation Installation Prices
You deserve a backyard that feels like a little escape from the rest of the world. Take a look at our pricing to get a better idea of your investment in your happiness.
Basic Irrigation Installation*
$5K
Irrigation for a small yard.
Includes new sod and installation of irrigation system in 1-2 zones with sprinkler heads.
Average Irrigation Installation*
$11K
Irrigation for a standard yard.
Includes demoing out old dirt/ rocks and replacing lawn with new sod. Also includes installation of irrigation system with sprinkler heads.
High-End Irrigation Installation*
$19K+
Irrigation for a large yard.
Includes demoing out old dirt/ rocks and replacing lawn with new sod. Also includes installation of irrigation system with sprinkler heads.
*The prices above are averages and may vary depending on scope of work. We'll give you an exact quote for your unique irrigation installation after our on-site consultation.
We know how important your home is to you, which is why we have engineered a streamlined process that allows you to get you your upgraded yard as fast as possible. Our process is designed to make your experience with us both exciting and enjoyable.
1. Get In Touch With Us
Fill out our contact form and let us know what renovations you’re looking to make to your yard. Feel free to attach any pictures to help us visualize your vision for the space. Once we receive the form, we will get back to you within 48 hours to talk more about your project.
2. We Get To Work
Once we finalized all the details of your project, our team will get to work on making your vision a reality. We will keep you updated on our progress and any unforeseen damage that we discover. You have the final say in any work that we do on your home.
3. Enjoy Your New Yard
Together we will do a final walkthrough of your finished project to make sure you are 100% satisfied with the end result. You’ll finally get to enjoy the freshness of your newly renovated backyard.
OUR PORTFOLIO
We want to help you make the most of your yard and outdoor living space. Take a look through our portfolio to get some ideas for your project and see what other homeowners in Colorado Springs have done.
Here’s What Our Customers Say…
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