- By fontaine@antadis.com
- In
Irrigation Contracts
ICS, whether formal or informal, always start with wintering and start in the spring (assuming you`re in an area where frost is a danger). Wintering also includes adjusting the system`s water supply, which usually means inspecting the ball head and then closing it. Next, rinse all the water from the irrigation components – including pipes, heads and valves – by blowing compressed air through the system. This prevents frost damage. Finally, turn off the controller to prevent it from sending commands to the system, whether that controller is « smart » or mechanical. Q: What are the best practices for securing these important contracts? Many states require irrigation systems to have backflow prevention devices that prevent water from the system from flowing back into the main water supply. If there is a backflow prevention device, you need to make sure that the device is winter-resistant, otherwise the reflux device will tear when the water freezes. Rain Bird Select Contractors is part of a network of independent irrigation companies handpicked by Rain Bird and considered the best in the industry. « At the height of our season, we have 200 commercial accounts and more than 1,000 residential accounts, » says Collis. « All these people have contracts with irrigation services. The company is so robust that if you have a problem with your system or call us for wintering and you are not one of our contract service customers, you will go to the bottom of our list.
In the fall, when we have to shut down 1,200 systems in about six weeks, you may not have time to do so. You may think this is a pipe dream, but it`s a reality for the growing number of landscapers and irrigation specialists who also provide seasonal care to their clients` irrigation systems. These companies do this with a formal or informal irrigation service contract (ISC) that seals a seasonal agreement – and hopefully for life. Warren Collis, of KT Irrigation in Chantilly, Virginia, has been signing official irrigation service contracts for years. A long-time industry veteran, he created KT Irrigation from a leading landscaping service provider five years ago because the company has grown and specialized. First of all, I have a problem with the fact that offers are awarded strictly based on low offers. That scares me. But now these contracts are awarded not only with a low bid, but also with a low bid, assuming that the contractor has provided enough money not only for standard irrigation repairs, but also for ongoing maintenance to ensure irrigation efficiency. Q: What are the important things you should include in your irrigation contracts? Making sure your irrigation contracts protect your business and that you don`t get disappointed if something goes wrong is almost as important as landing a large irrigation system. Real estate wants inclusive offers. I understand.
They think they can save money and manage a budget, but they don`t realize it`s just a short-term solution with a lazy approach to a complicated problem. That really is the case. I guarantee them one thing if you hire us to do an irrigation audit that you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars. The question is whether you should spend that money today, 1 year later, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years. It all depends on the proactivity of the property in terms of repairs and continuous maintenance of efficiency. If you don`t use legally binding contracts in your irrigation business, it`s probably a good idea to get started. They are one of the essential components of irrigation activity. Contracts can not only provide legal support in case of potential discrepancies on the road, but also provide an information base for your day-to-day operations. Continued maintenance of effectiveness: This must be done. This must be included in the maintenance contract.
Depending on the size and age of the community, the irrigation system should be checked monthly. Each area must be tested. Check and adjust overall performance. A report must be submitted monthly; which should include photos, work done and long- and short-term recommendations. If done correctly, the annual repair budget will be better prepared. Good entrepreneurs do this and they are not always a low offer. At R&R Sprinkler and Landscape, we know how important it is for our customers to save money. That`s why we`ve developed irrigation maintenance contracts that can save you hundreds of dollars in expensive repairs. Landscape Management interviewed Winchel to learn about its best practices for land contracts and the creation of irrigation installation contracts. Greg McLaughlin, owner of McLaughlin Landscaping in Hermiston, Oregon, offers his clients a popular irrigation service contract. He says ISC`s clients are better than average. « We looked at the numbers, » he admits, « and carefully monitored sales since the pre-recession period.
Our total revenue in 2009 was 24% lower than in 2007, but our irrigation services business only decreased by 10%. Since 2009, we have recovered half of our total revenue, but our irrigation services business has returned to where it was. Thank God for our Iscian activities. The numbers don`t lie; it`s a bigger part of our pie. To irrigate a water balance based on evapotranspiration and your allocation by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, irrigation efficiency must be >70%. .