Installation price? Am I being had?

post by Travis1 on May 21, 2024

Bought a new home with an existing sprinkler. I want to modernize the sprinkler so I’m looking to replace the existing head unit with a Rachio 3 and install a new Flowmeter.

I’m super technical but I don’t have time for this stuff and I’ve no idea what it should cost for someone else to put this in.

The quote I got was for about $2700, including the parts and labor.

Parts = Rachio ($250) + FlowMec QS200 ($420)

I suppose that means labor is about 2k.

That sounds insanely high to me. Can I get some rough estimates, based on experience, for how hard it is to install this stuff and what it should cost?

post by Audrey on May 22, 2024

That sounds high to me. How big is your yard? What are they doing besides installing? Are they programming or and coming back to make sure it was programmed right? It took me a little over an hour to get my Rachio 3 up and running, but it shouldn’t have even taken that long (I was constantly being interrupted).

post by Travis1 on May 22, 2024

Lot is 12k sf. With a sizable portion as a waterable yard. However, the price isn’t just for the Rachio. It is also for the installation of the FlowMec Water Meter, which I assume is harder (cutting pipe and so forth). Still seems high to me even then. Just want to be clear that it isn’t just the control head unit.

post by Thomas_Lerman on May 23, 2024

Especially if it those two things, Racho & FlowMec, then it does seem high to me. If I were you and not doing the work myself, I would get at least another bid.