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 University Sprinklers prides itself on the quick and efficient service we provide to residential builders. From well-priced simple lighting or irrigation systems for spec homes, to elaborate, extensive systems tailored to the specific watering needs specified by a Landscape Architect's custom
designs, we can meet your needs. We also work well with homeowners who are
acting as their own general contractor. Every day we meet a new fellow outside contractor, and
therefore appreciate the demands faced by all outside subtrades, including
landscapers, paving stone contractors, concrete placers, electricians, and site grading / servicing contractors,
in keeping your project on-time, and installed in an efficient manner.
Timing
Like any other trade, timing the installation of your irrigation or lighting system properly can
make the difference between an efficient, successful installation and a more challenging one.
Below is a timeline for your planning purposes, along with what you need
to consider to guarantee a smooth installation:
Planning and estimation
We can do the design and quotation for your system even before
a home is built - but we do require a comprehensive landscape plan. The more detailed the plan, the more detailed and precise we can be in our estimation. Keep in mind that,
like any building plan, changes between the original landscape design and the plan that unfolds on site may
impact the final price. That said, it is most common for us to quote and design the project at approximately the "lockup" stage. For most homes a good visual walk through of the site with either the builder, landscaper or homeowner (whomever is most familiar with the landscaping plans) is sufficient. We like to go over the components of the system with you on site, and ask many questions, to get as much input into the design as possible at this point. Some of the questions we
will ask include:
Irrigation
- Where are the gardens / grass / annual plantings going to be located?
- Where are the concrete / asphalt / pavers to be poured?
- Are there any retaining walls planned?
- Would you like the gardens watered separately from the grass?
- Do you plan to have any hanging baskets / pots that you would like watered automatically?
- Would you like the gardens and pots watered separately or together?
Lighting
- Are there any larger specimen-style trees available we can highlight?
- Are there any steps or stairs planned?
- Do you have any dark hidden areas that may pose a security concern?
- Which portions of the back / front / side yards can you see from the house?
- So you have any special architectural features of the house you would like highlighted?
- Do you have any line-voltage electrical supplies to the outside of the house?
After taking all the above information into account, we can complete a design and estimate specifically tailored to your site, with the special features you request.
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Preparation
 Once you give us the "go ahead", our first step is to ensure adequate preparations are made for a successful installation. At this stage we install "sleeving" - pipes under all retaining walls, driveways, sidewalks
- BEFORE the surface is installed, to ensure that once we return to do the majority of the installation work, we will have access under all sidewalks, driveways, and retaining walls. At this stage, for those customers that plan to install a number of hanging baskets, it is also advisable to have your plumber pre-plumb tubing through the soffits to feed each basket, so the piping is completely concealed. Sleeving work is usually a very small portion of the total job, usually only 2-3 hours' work, but is crucial to the completion of a successful installation. We are usually available with 24-48 hours' notice for sleeving work.
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Installation
This is the phase of the installation where the majority of our work takes place. This phase usually takes 1-3 days depending on the site, and can take even longer for larger, more elaborate systems. In this phase we install the entire system to the point where a completely functioning system is ready to use. For us to start this phase we need at least a sub-grade completed for the site, if not all the topsoil installed. Also, all the hard surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls) should have been installed. We can usually schedule
installation dates with 1-2 weeks' notice - the more the better!
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Finalization
This is a phase that University Sprinklers is very proud of - one that sets us apart from the competition! Once the landscaping has been completed, a member of our management team will return to the site to give it one last "check-over". We tune and balance the various components of the system, check the system from the timer, take detailed site information that is stored on our head office computers to aid us in servicing the system in the
future and ensure a complete installation with 100% coverage. We also will
instruct the end-user, whether that end user is a homeowner, gardener, or Architect, about the complete functioning of the system, including the timer operation, master shut-off, and a run-through of the system to ensure complete satisfaction. For lighting systems, the same
level of finalization holds true, but we will be completing things like accurate light focusing, bulb changes to achieve optimum lighting, and an inspection of the main transformer connections to ensure all is secure.
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