To find IA Certified Professionals or verify that an irrigation professional is currently certified:

Call the IA at (703) 536-7080, Mon-Fri (Eastern)

Email: certification@irrigation.org

Search the Web: www.irrigation.org

When you hire an IA certified contractor, you're hiring someone with experience and in-depth industry knowledge who has passed rigorous testing. An IA Certified IRrigation Contractor (CIC) is an irrigation professional whos primary business is to install, repair and maintain irriagtion systems - according to the specifications and requirements of the project contract.

Certification validates knowledge and skills. IA certifications were designed by irrigation professionals committed to establishing a program that would provide consistent, high standards industry-wide.

General Liablity: the general rule is between $300,000 - $500,000 for residential work and at least $1 million for commercial jobs.

Workers Compensation: if one of the contractor's workers is hurt on-the-job at your property this will protect you from potential liablity.

Equipment Insurance: while unlikely, this offers you protection if a contractor-owned vehicle or equipment has an accident on your property.

Buisness License and is Bonded: as stipulated by government for any buisness.

Expect references: check out thier prior work, see completed projects.

Expect a written proposal: it should cover labor, material quantity, sizes and brands, prep and finish work, dollar amounts, warranty terms, and a scaled plan.

Professionalism: a contractor who is polite, returns calls and keeps apointments is a good initial indicator.

1. Has the contractor volunteered evidence of proper licenses, insurances and bonding?

2. Has the contractor submitted a written proposal describing the job in detail, including labor, material, local taxed asn permits, the dollar amount, a scaled plan, and estimated schedule?

3. Does the contractor offer a recent, local references and/or a portfolio?

4. Is your contractor knowledgable of backflow prevention laws, or electrical and plumbing codes... and will assure that your system will meet those codes?

5. Who will actually install the irrigation system... how was the individual(s) trained?

6. Is the contractor willing to "walk-through" complete instructions on system care and use of mechanical components, such as controllers and timers? Provide written operating instructions?

7. What is the warranty on components and the system design performance? Who provides the warranty? What is included or excluded? The industry standard is a full guarantee covering system parts and labor for one year.

8. Does the ocntractor purchase paterials from an authorized product distributor? This is more likely to ensure quality as well as the ability to get replacement parts.

9. To finalize your agreement, have you been presented a written contract? A written contract is a must - for any amount. A contract is a mutual agreement. Read before you sign. Ask questions. Begin only after both parties have signed the contract.