Many residential and commercial sprinkler systems include spray zones watering planting beds that would perform better and use less water with drip irrigation. Drip conversion services capitalize on the water efficiency conversation to add a recurring upgrade service to your menu that clients value and competitors without irrigation expertise cannot offer.
If you're exploring how to build a stronger sprinkler system operation, our guide on Sprinkler System Installation Workflow: From Sale to Commissioning covers the foundational concepts you'll want in place first.
Identifying Drip Conversion Candidates During Service Visits
Spray zones covering mulched beds, tree rings, and foundation plantings are natural drip conversion candidates because overhead spray loses water to evaporation and often misses plant root zones that drip emitters reach directly. Technicians who flag these zones during startup or service visits and generate a conversion estimate before leaving the property create revenue opportunities that would otherwise go unrecognized. Software with a service recommendation workflow lets technicians log the flag with a photo and description so the office can follow up with a formal quote without requiring a separate site visit.
Pricing Drip Conversions Profitably
Drip conversion pricing should account for the labor to remove or cap existing spray heads, the supply line and emitters needed to serve the planting area, any filter and pressure regulator requirements at the zone valve, and connection to the existing lateral. Most residential bed zone conversions range from $150 to $400 per zone depending on size and complexity. Software with a drip conversion line item template lets technicians price these jobs in the field without referring back to the office, reducing the delay between the client seeing the opportunity and approving the work.
Adding Drip Maintenance to Annual Service Contracts
Drip systems require annual flushing, emitter inspection, and filter cleaning that is easily added to an annual service contract for clients who have drip zones. Including a drip maintenance visit in the contract at a modest incremental price ensures this service is performed consistently and billed predictably. Over time, the portfolio of drip maintenance accounts in your client base adds a mid-season service line that spreads revenue beyond the spring and fall peaks and keeps technicians productive during slower scheduling periods.
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