The average homeowner in DFW will spend $300 to $800 on lawn sprinkler system repairs in 2025 from a professional irrigation company. Small repairs can be as low as $100, and large repairs well over $2,000.
Introduction
I’m Austin, I’m a licensed irrigator, and the purpose of this article is to answer most of your questions about how much sprinkler system repairs cost for a Dallas Fort Worth homeowner.
The answers in this article will be based on the prices most professional irrigation repair companies use, including the one I work for – On Point Contractors – OnPointDFW.com
Remember throughout this article that these price points are based on using a professional company. You can get lower prices by hiring one-man-shows or handymen. But this article isn’t about who to hire – click to know more on how to choose a contractor here.
Let’s get into it…
The first cost that will come up is the diagnostic fee (aka “service call” or “trip charge”)
How much is a diagnostic for sprinkler repair?
Most companies will charge a flat rate diagnostic fee of $50 to $150, or they’ll have a one hour minimum of $120 to $250 plus a markup on parts. Our company does a $95 service call plus repairs. (The service call applies to the repair for larger repairs)
Should you pay a diagnostic fee for sprinkler repair?
In this industry It can be a red flag if the company doesn’t charge a service call of any kind. It’s a good sign if they have a service call. If they aren’t charging a service call you’re either getting:
- A good deal
Every now and then a reputable company might run a promotion to try and attract new customers. In these cases, you may actually be getting a good deal. - The person doing the diagnostic is short on work
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but a slower schedule can sometimes signal less experience or reputation in the industry. - The sprinkler technician is new and establishing a customer base
If you’re willing to let a new technician learn on your sprinkler system, it could work out well, but it’s something to keep in mind. - An upsell or “Too-good-to-be-true” offer
This can sometimes be a tactic to get in the door and upsell on-site. These companies may offer “free diagnostics” but might have a reputation for recommending unnecessary repairs or pushing expensive upgrades.
It’s kind of like paying the diagnostic fee when you go to your doctor for a checkup. Most if not all professional sprinkler repair companies charge some type of diagnostic fee. This is common with home services like plumbing for example.
What are the common sprinkler system repairs and how much will they cost you?
Here’s a list of the most common sprinkler issues:
- Broken sprinkler head
- Leaking or broken pipes
- Faulty or leaky valves
- Leaking or faulty Backflow
- Missing / buried valves
- Controller issues
- Sensor malfunctions
- Wiring and electrical problems
- Water Coverage uniformity issues
- Low Water pressure
- High Water pressure
Let’s break down the costs of each type of sprinkler issue…
Keep in mind that the pricing below is roughly what professional irrigation companies will charge on most residential repairs whether it’s flat rate or hourly plus markup on parts.
1. How much is it to fix a broken sprinkler head?
- Cost from a professional irrigation company: $50 to $100 per head
- The actual cost of a sprayhead and tip is about $3.00, for a rotary head about $15.
- Broken heads are one of the most common issues. These can be damaged by lawnmowers, foot traffic, or pets, and they’ll cause water to spray unevenly or leak out.
2. How much is it to fix a leaking or broken sprinkler pipe?
- Cost: $150 to $400
- A telescope coupling is about $7 to $14
- This issue can lead to water pooling, which not only wastes water but can also damage your lawn. The cost depends on the pipe’s location and how hard it is to dig it out – with leaks under driveways, patios, or near roots adding to the expense.
3. How much is it to fix a leaking or broken sprinkler valve?
- Cost To replace the valve: $275 to $550 per valve
- Cost to rebuild the valve: $100 to $250
- The cost of the valve itself is roughly $19 to $27
- Possible signs of a faulty valve are if the water on a zone is stuck on and won’t turn off, if a zone won’t turn on, or if there is pooling water around the valve box signifying a leak at the valve.
4. How much is it to replace a leaking or faulty sprinkler backflow?
- Cost to replace a doublecheck: $1200 to $2000
- Cost to replace a PVB: $600 to $900
- The cost of a 1 inch doublecheck assembly (doublecheck + y strainer) is about $200 to $350. The cost of the PVB (pressure vacuum breaker) itself is about $120 to $170
- There’s multiple different types of backflow devices which protect contaminants flowing from your sprinklers back into the water supply line. This might be the most important part of your sprinkler system. The most common in DFW Texas will be either a doublecheck or a PVB.
- Often when replacing a backflow device, especially a doublecheck, a new shutoff valve (usually a ball valve) needs to be installed, a y strainer, and/or the point of connection needs to be redone (the point where the water line to the house Tees off to the sprinkler water line).
5. How much is it to find / locate sprinkler valves?
- Cost: $200 to $400
- Most companies will charge hourly here. Usually from $180 to $300 for the first hour with a 1 hour minimum, and then an hourly rate after that (a lot of time the valves in question will be found within the first hour). If valve location takes too long, other solutions are usually recommended rather than wasting more time and money on trying to find the valve(s).
6. How much is a new sprinkler controller (timer)?
- Cost for a professional installation: $400 to $900 for a smart controller
- The retail cost of a good smart controller is usually around $150 to $400.
- The more zones you have, the bigger and more expensive your controller will be.
- The controller, often referred to as the “timer,” is the brain of your sprinkler system, controlling when and how long each zone runs. A basic model will work for most standard systems, but smart controllers with weather-based adjustments can save water and adapt automatically to changing weather. Installing a smart controller can help you conserve water and keep your lawn healthy, and many come with a smartphone app for easy control.
7. How much is it to replace a rain/freeze/wind sensor?
- Cost: $350 to $550
- The rain/freeze/wind sensor itself costs around $140 to $180
- These sensors regulate your water usage so that you aren’t wasting water when it’s already rained or if it’s too cold or windy.
8. How much is it to fix wiring or electrical problems on a sprinkler system?
- Cost: $50 to $150 for minor repairs; $200 to $1200+ for major fixes
- Wiring issues can disrupt the entire system, as they prevent the controller from communicating with valves and sensors.
- Wiring problems can result from wear, weather damage, or even critters chewing on wires. Simple wiring fixes are typically inexpensive, but larger repairs requiring extensive rewiring, especially in older systems, can increase the cost.
- Example: Rewiring an entire sprinkler system could easily run about $1000 to $2000+ for all the trenching and wire work.
9. How much is it to correct sprinkler water uniformity coverage issues?
- Cost: $200 to $800+
- If you notice dry patches or overly wet areas in your yard, your sprinkler heads might need adjusting or replacing/moving to ensure even water distribution.
- This issue often requires adjustments to sprinkler head angles or replacing certain nozzles, which is a straightforward fix for most professionals. However, If it involves adding or moving heads, this can become much more laborious and expensive.
10. How much is it to correct low sprinkler pressure?
- Cost: $75 to $200 for basic issues and fixes; $300 to $1000+ for major issues like needing a booster pump or major layout changes.
- Low water pressure can be a huge problem. The cause can range from something as simple as the water meter valve being left partly closed, to the entire system layout not being designed correctly.
- If the fix is as simple as opening a valve, the technician might only charge a diagnostic fee. If the entire system needs a redesign, then you could potentially be looking at multiple thousands of dollars.
11. How much is it to fix high water pressure on a sprinkler system?
- Cost: $200 to $500
- High pressure is much easier to deal with than low pressure. A pressure regulating valve (flow control valve) can be installed to reduce water pressure. Companies will usually charge around what they would charge for a valve replacement.
When should you get a new sprinkler system instead of repairing your old one?
If your system is very old (20+ years), hasn’t been turned on for years, and your technician recommends not doing repairs, then you might want a new sprinkler system.
Personally, I’ve repaired systems over 30 years old that haven’t been turned on in years and it turned out fine, but there’s a risk. The technician won’t know what’s all wrong with the system after the first repair. They usually need to make a repair, rediagnose, make a repair, rediagnose, and so on…
And this could keep going until you reach a repair cost of what a new system would have cost to install.
Now, any good and honest technician will tell you right off the bat that you should get a new system if yours isn’t worth the repairs.
However, in one instance for example, I replaced a doublecheck, over 5 valves, 20+ heads, the controller, ran some new wire, and the total cost came out to just under $6,000. But it was a large system and a new sprinkler system would have been over $16,000.
I even highly recommended to this customer NOT to do the repairs, but they insisted. Sometimes when you fix an old system, like an old car, problems arise frequently after the first repairs, but in this case only minor repairs have popped up since.
Overall it was a good call by the homeowner. However, it doesn’t always turn out like that.
A new residential sprinkler system usually runs from $6500 to $12,000 for the average DFW home.
If your repairs are projected to be over half of what a new sprinkler system would be, I would recommend just getting a new system.
Final Tips on Sprinkler System Repairs
It’s always smart to address any sprinkler system issues as soon as they arise. Small repairs, when caught early, are typically affordable and prevent bigger problems down the road. Keep in mind that while hiring a professional might cost more than a DIY fix, experienced technicians can identify underlying issues that may not be obvious, saving you money and hassle over time.
When budgeting for repairs, remember to factor in:
- Diagnostic Fees: Many companies charge a diagnostic fee or trip charge that’s separate from repair costs, usually $50 to $150.
- Regular Maintenance: Scheduling routine inspections can help identify minor issues early, which can save on repair costs in the long run.
- Potential Upgrades: If you have an older system, upgrading components (such as a smart controller or new sensors) might be more cost-effective than continually repairing outdated parts.
Hiring a licensed, reputable irrigation professional will ensure that your system is properly diagnosed and repaired, providing peace of mind and keeping your lawn in top condition. If you’re in the DFW area and need assistance, reach out to a local pro who can provide a detailed estimate based on your specific repair needs.
Thanks for reading my article, hopefully you got some value out of it!
