How Much Does a Smart Lawn Irrigation System Cost?

Whether you consider yourself a lawn expert or dream of achieving an even, lush carpet of grass for the first time, the right water levels are essential for keeping your yard in tip-top condition. Despite the best of intentions, life can get in the way of a manual watering routine.

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How Does a Smart Lawn Irrigation System Work?

Smart lawn irrigation systems automatically water your yard according to local conditions. Unlike older automated systems, which require users to set the watering schedule manually, these systems select the ideal amount and frequency without human input. Some systems achieve this by monitoring soil moisture levels through sensors, while others use local weather conditions to determine when and how much to water your lawn.

Depending on your product, you may need to purchase new sprinklers to create a smart irrigation system. Other systems may be compatible with your existing equipment.

How Much Does a Smart Irrigation System Cost to Install?

The cost to install a smart irrigation system depends on whether you're upgrading an existing system or starting from scratch. According to Lawn Love, smart irrigation system controllers cost between $45 and $270 (CAD 64 and CAD 386). Other costs may apply, including those summarized below.

Sensors

Weather sensors typically cost between $25 and $75 (CAD 36 and CAD 107) per unit. These sensors detect rainfall and prevent your system from irrigating your garden after wet weather. Alternatively, moisture sensors cost $30 to $310 (CAD 43 to CAD 443) per unit. Moisture sensors monitor the amount of water in the soil and turn off your irrigation system when moisture levels rise above a certain point.

Sprinklers

You'll need to install sprinklers if you don't have an existing irrigation system or your current models are incompatible with smart controllers. The average cost of a sprinkler system is $3,270 (CAD 4,676) for the equipment and installation labor, although prices typically range between $2,220 and $4,600 (CAD 3,174 and CAD 6,577). These prices don't include the cost of smart controllers and sensors.

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What Factors Influence the Overall Cost of Installing a Smart Lawn Irrigation System?

The main factor influencing the cost of a smart irrigation system is the size of your lawn. You can estimate the cost of installing a lawn watering system more precisely if you know the square footage of your garden. The most affordable systems start from around $0.20 (CAD 0.29) per square foot, while premium solutions cost up to $1 (CAD 1.43) per square foot.

Above-Ground vs. Inground Sprinklers

Above-ground sprinklers consist of a series of sprinklers connected by tubes, while inground sprinklers have underground tubes and pipework. Inground systems are more affordable at $1,500 to $2,000 (CAD 2,145 to CAD 2,860), excluding the cost of installation labor. Inground systems are costlier at $1,800 to $3,800 (CAD 2,574 to CAD 5,433). Many homeowners find inground systems more aesthetically pleasing because they don't have exposed tubing. Inground systems are also more likely to be compatible with smart controllers.

Number of Zones

Installing irrigation zones can help you water your garden more precisely, especially if some areas of your lawn dry out faster than others. The more zones you install, the higher the cost. A single-zone system tends to cost between $550 and $1,000 (CAD 786 and CAD 1,430), while a large five-zone system can cost as much as $5,300 (CAD 7,578). These prices don't include the cost of smart sensors, so don't forget to budget an extra $25 to $310 (CAD 36 to CAD 443) per zone for moisture or weather sensors.

Sprinkler Head Type

There are two types of sprinkler heads for domestic irrigation systems: static heads and rotating heads. Static or stationary heads stay in the same position, which means each head can only water a small area of lawn. These sprinkler heads cost around $2 to $15 (CAD 2.86 to CAD 21) each.

Rotating heads can turn, allowing them to cover wider areas. They cost slightly more than stationary heads at $5 to $20 (CAD 7.15 to CAD 29) per unit.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.