Automatic Lawn Sprinkler System FAQ's

Choosing a qualified landscape irrigation contractor can be a difficult process. We provide these answers to our most frequently asked questions to assist you with making an informative decision.

Q: Is Your Company Insured?
A: YES. When hiring any contractor insist on getting a certificate of insurance. The following insurance policies are a home owner's critical protection:
1. Worker's Compensation Insurance Policy - This insurance is the most important and often overlooked by home owner's: this protects you from potential liability if a contractor's worker is hurt on your property while on the job. A homeowners policy does not cover people you hire to work on your property.
2. Liability Insurance Policy - This insurance helps protect you in case of unforeseen damage caused by the contractor's work.
3. Equipment Insurance - This provides another element of liability protection in case the contractor's vehicle or equipment is involved in an accident on your property.
• Vaisey Irrigation Inc is fully insured: certificate of insurance available upon request.

Q: Is Your Company Licensed?
Licensed: NO. Massachusetts does NOT license irrigation contractors, yet.
Certified: YES. Erik Vaisey, CIC - is an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor.

Q: Why Hire An IA Certified Irrigation Contractor?
A: Not all certifications are equal. IA Certification is a valuable tool when evaluating the skills of the person you hire. The CIC program helps homeowners and businesses identify qualified and competent irrigation specialists who have experience, training, passed a comprehensive exam, and follow a code of ethics to install, repair and maintain irrigation systems. Erik Vaisey, CIC is an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor. Visit the following link to confirm his credentials:
• IA Certified Professionals


Q: Why Hire An EPA WaterSense Partner?
A: Much like Energy Star, WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote water efficient products and practices. This program helps consumers improve water efficiency and reduce their costs by promoting efficient landscape irrigation technologies. Erik Vaisey, CIC is an EPA WaterSense Irrigation Partner. Visit the following link to confirm his credentials:
• Understanding EPA WaterSense Certification.


Q: Do Automatic Lawn Sprinkler Systems Waste Water?
A: NO. In fact, it will conserve water. Did you know over 30% of water can be lost to evaporation when hand watering? Where as a professionally designed and installed irrigation system conserves water by applying a precise amount, at the optimal time. Your lawn is efficiently watered before you awake, precisely timed not to over-water and will not forget to shut off the garden hose.
  Water Efficient Sprinklers, Rain Sensors, Smart Controllers, Soil Moisture Sensors, Drip Irrigation. Visit the following link to learn about the "smart" irrigation technologies we install.
• H2O Conservation

Q: Does Installation Cause Damage?
A: Installation of a lawn sprinkler system requires pipe-pulling via the assistance of our "Ditch Witch" equipment. This machine is designed to install the pipe with minimal lawn damage. Plus, our machine provides horizontal drilling under driveways and paths, resulting in zero damage to your paved, concrete, and brick areas. Upon completion the sprinkler lines are barely visible and quickly disappear as your lawn grows.

Q: Do You Provide Estimates?
A: YES. All legitimate contractors provide both:
1. Free Estimate - Our written proposal includes warranty information and manufacturers brochures describing the products chosen for your specific landscape.
2. Free Site Visit - Since no two landscapes are the same; we must inspect your property, soil types and hydraulics in order to provide an accurate proposal.

Q: How Do I Choose A Contractor?
A: When seeking an irrigation specialist consider all factors and compare several proposals point-by-point.
1. Request a Written Estimate Including:
• estimated quantity of parts (sprinklers, valves, controllers, backflow & rain sensor)
• parts and labor warranty.
• seasonal service fees (spring opening / fall closing)
• fully insured (worker's compensation, liability, equipment)
• professional credentials and water management training.

2. Service and Maintenance - professional design, installation and maintenance is your key to a warranty, after-sale service and long-term reliability. Will your contractor provide dependable service for years to come?
• request references.
• visit recent job sites or jobs-in-progress.
• request a portfolio of the contractor's actual work.

3. Be Wary of Contractor Short-Cuts!
• Cutting corners and parts to stretch a low bid, sprinklers installed too far apart, will result in system flaws and burn spots in your lawn.
• Rain Sensor not included.
• Backflow Preventer and installation by a licensed master plumber not included.
• Always confirm your contractors credentials: "Certification" and "EPA WaterSense".
• "Hunter Preferred Contractor" and "Rain Bird Select Contractor" are manufacturer sales incentive programs - not to be confused with IA Certification!

Q: What Is A Backflow Preventer ?
Installation of a backflow preventer is required and must meet local codes to protect your household drinking water supply. This device prevents outdoor water that can be contaminated by landscape fertilizers and pesticide chemicals from syphoning back into your home water supply. The backflow preventer and installation by our licensed master plumber is included with our estimates.

Q: Do You Repair or Service Existing Sprinkler Systems ?
A: YES. We repair, upgrade, service and maintain Rain Bird, Hunter and other brands of existing or previously installed lawn irrigation systems. Including prompt and dependable opening and closing service.

Q: Do I Need Spring Start-Up & Fall Winterizing Service ?
A: Yes. A well maintained system, is an efficient system! Seasonal maintenance and inspections will ensure optimal water efficiency, and extend the life of your system.

Spring Opening Service (start-up) - We thoroughly inspect your entire system to ensure peak water efficiency before the hot Summer months begin. In March, check your mail and email for "VI Seasonal Service Reminders". April - June (weather dependent) we schedule appointments on a town-by-town basis.
• Check every zone and inspect each head.
• Adjust components for complete coverage; no unnecesary overspray or run-off.
• Properly program each zone of the system controller (timer).
• Suggest “Smart” technology upgrades to conserve water.

Mid Season Inspection - recommended to all without a professional Opening.
• Includes our complete system inspection, see above.
• Adjust components to match the needs of your growing landscape.
• Suggest “Smart” technology upgrades to conserve water.

Fall Closing Service (blow-out / winterizing) - ensures your system is clear of any water that will freeze and crack components, and is properly prepared to survive the Winter months without costly need of Spring repairs. In September, check your mail and email for "VI Seasonal Service Reminders". October - December (weather dependent) we schedule appointments on a town-by-town basis.
To request seasonal service call 781.837.1115 or visit the following link:
• Request Service

Q: Start-Up & Winterizing Service Reminders ?
A: NEW seasonal service reminders. Customers can receive Spring and Fall email service reminders. Our emails contain no spam, just important reminders, seasonal service info, and savings coupons conveniently delivered to your desktop.
JOIN our email reminder list, or UPDATE your new email address, visit the following link and √ the "VI Email Service Reminder" box:
• Request Service

Q: How Does A Second Water Meter Save Money ?
A: A substantial amount of money is saved on your water bill when not having to pay for the sewage portion of outdoor water use: not just lawn sprinklers, but ALL of your outdoor water useage. Second water meters can be connected to new and previously installed systems. Call your local Water Dept and inquire if a second water meter is permitted. Our licensed master plumber can provide proper installation.

Q: Do You Service My Town?
A: We install systems and provide lawn irrigation service from South of Boston Massachusetts, throughout The South Shore, and parts of Cape Cod.
• Our Service Area Map

Q: Do You Provide References?
A: YES. Our references are available upon request. In some instances we may protect the privacy of our clients by asking them to call you. Stopping by a completed project or job-in-progress can be informative too.
• View Our Job Sites

Q: Do You Have a Portfolio of Work?
A: YES. ALL of the photos in this web site are of actual Vaisey Irrigation job sites.
All Images © Vaisey Irrigation. All Rights Reserved. Visit the following link to view more examples of our work:
• Photos

Q: I Lost My Product Manual?
A: Manufacturers web sites now provide instruction manuals for easy downloading. Visit the following link for a list of products that we install and recommend.
• Links

Q: Payment Options ?
A: We accept checks, cash, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. Visit the following link to make secure online credit card payments • Bill Pay


Fact:
A professionally designed and installed lawn irrigation system is one of the best investments you can make in your home or business. Just ask anybody who has one. There's no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your property, increase its value and curb appeal, and save yourself lots of time and hassle.

Fact:
The need to manage outdoor water use has never been greater. As an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor and EPA WaterSense Partner you can rest assured Vaisey Irrigation practices "The Intelligent Use of Water" installing systems that apply water responsibly.

Didn't find your answer?
Your questions are always Welcome.
Call 781.837.1115   or   Email • Request Service

Information courtesy of: The Irrigation Association, EPA, Rain Bird, Hunter, Baseline.
All Photos © Vaisey Irrigation. All Rights Reserved.