Installing an irrigation system on your farmland is a major investment. You want to make sure you choose an irrigation company that will design and install a system tailored to your unique terrain, crops, and water needs.
With so many irrigation contractors to pick from, it can be tricky evaluating which one is best qualified like Teachers Irrigation Company for your project. In this article, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when selecting an irrigation partner you can trust.
Assess Their Experience
First, look for extensive experience working specifically on local farms like yours. You want a contractor well-versed in:
- The crops, soils, pests etc. in your region
- Local weather patterns, rainfall, and water regulations
- The most current irrigation technology, tools, and techniques
Don’t just take their word for it, ask for referrals from other nearby farmers to verify the company’s expertise with similar projects.
More years in business and more farms served means they’ll understand how to build a system to maximize your yields.
Evaluate Their Design Capabilities
The contractor should offer detailed irrigation system design services. This involves surveying your fields, mapping the topography, soil types, and water sources, then engineering a customized system.
Key design skills include:
- Efficiency planning to minimize water waste
- Knowing which sprinklers work best for different crops
- Factor in pressure, precipitation rates, and spacing
- Incorporate water conservation tools like drip irrigation
- Design around existing infrastructure
Ensure the contractor has certified irrigation designers on staff. Review examples of their design plans to assess thoroughness.
Look for Turnkey Project Management
Ideally, the company will oversee your project from initial consultation through post-installation support.
Seeking a contractor who provides turnkey service means:
- No piecing together various vendors
- Coordinated schedules and staff
- Single accountable point of contact
- Consistent process from start to finish
This streamlined approach can ensure your system is engineered, installed, and functioning properly as a whole.
Verify Licenses and Certifications
Reputable irrigation companies will hold all the proper licenses, permits, and certifications for your state.
Specific credentials to look for include:
- State construction and contractor licenses
- Liability insurance certificates
- Training credentials from industry groups
- Licenses for specialized services like well drilling or pump installation
- Safety training records and company safety rating
Proper credentials indicate the company adheres to regulations and best practices. Check that all licenses are valid and up to date.
Evaluate Their Equipment
The contractor should utilize top irrigation brands known for reliability and efficiency. Some reputable equipment manufacturers include Toro, Rainbird, Hunter, Nelson, and Lindsay.
Also inquire about the following:
- What warranty do they offer on parts?
- Do they use refurbished or only new parts?
- How often do they upgrade tools and technology?
- Can you customize components like sprinkler heads?
You want modern equipment engineered for durability, low water usage, and labor savings.
Discuss Maintenance Services
A good contractor will explain their maintenance options to keep your irrigation system operating optimally.
Ideally, they should offer:
- Spring turn-on and winterization
- Annual inspections and tune-ups
- Monitoring services to check for leaks or blockages
- 24/7 repair response if issues arise
- Training for you or staff on basic system maintenance
- Readily available replacement parts
Ongoing maintenance is key to protecting your investment and preventing costly downtime.
Request References and Reviews
Responsible irrigation firms will provide customer references upon request. Talk to other growers about their experience.
Also check online reviews and ratings. Look for these positive indicators:
- Numerous 5 star reviews over an extended period
- Responsive feedback from the owner
- Comments praising quality work and professional staff
- Quick repair times and effective solutions
- Good value for cost
Third-party reviews offer transparent insight into real customer experiences.
Meet With Them
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, meet with a few contractors in-person. This gives you a sense of their knowledge, communication style and professionalism.
Be sure to ask:
- How they tailor systems to each farm’s needs
- What sets them apart from competitors
- If they tackle projects in-house or use subcontractors
- How many farms they currently service
- What level of support they provide
Gauge if they seem truly invested in your farm’s success. This is the start of a long-term working relationship, after all.
Protect Your Investment with the Right Irrigation Partner
In the end, choosing the correct irrigation company involves due diligence – checking credentials, seeking referrals, meeting in person. But take your time evaluating potential partners.
This investment will pay dividends for years through optimized yields and resilience even in dry conditions. So don’t settle for anything less than an experienced, accountable contractor who prioritizes your farm’s prosperity.
With customized design, ethical business practices and ongoing support, you gain an irrigation ally invested in helping your operation thrive. That makes the extra effort to pick the right company well worth it.
