Sprinklers, Irrigation & Drainage

Get a Quote for Sprinklers, Irrigation & Drainage

Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a local professional

Free
No obligation
About 60 seconds

Get a free quote

for Sprinklers, Irrigation & Drainage

How soon do you need help?

EmergencyRight now TodayAs soon as possible This weekIn the next few days In a few weeksGetting things lined up Just researchingPlanning ahead

Tell us a little about the project

Project details optional

ZIP code or neighborhood optional

Where should your match reach you?

Your name

Phone

Email optional — for your confirmation

Your details are only shared with providers matched to your request.

What irrigation and drainage work involves

This service covers both sides of water in your yard: getting enough water to the lawn and plants in the dry season, and getting rid of it fast enough in the rainy season.

Irrigation

A sprinkler system is divided into zones, each run by its own valve, so that areas with different needs get watered differently. Turf in full sun, shaded turf and planting beds should be on separate zones. A system includes:

Spray heads for small lawn areas and rotors for larger ones
Drip or micro-irrigation for beds, which puts water at the roots with less waste
A controller (timer). Smart controllers adjust run times based on weather or soil moisture.
A rain sensor or shutoff device, which Florida law requires on automatic systems
A backflow preventer where the system connects to drinking water, so irrigation water can't be pulled back into your home's supply

Common repair calls include broken or tilted heads, clogged nozzles, leaking valves, zones that won't turn on or won't shut off, controllers that have lost their settings, and dry spots from poor coverage. A good technician runs each zone and watches the coverage before replacing parts.

Drainage

Drainage work starts with finding where the water comes from: roof runoff, a neighbor's yard, a low spot, or a high water table. Common fixes:

Downspout extensions or buried drains to carry roof water away from the house
Regrading so the ground slopes away from the foundation
Swales, shallow grassy channels that steer water across the yard
French drains, gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipe that collect water and carry it away
Catch basins that collect water at a low point and pipe it to a discharge spot

Tampa Bay considerations

Two seasons, two problems. Tampa Bay's dry season, roughly October through May, is when irrigation matters most. From June through September, near-daily thunderstorms bring heavy rain, and that's when drainage problems show up.
Watering restrictions. The Southwest Florida Water Management District limits lawn watering to set days and times, generally no more than twice a week, and local utilities can be stricter during droughts. A properly zoned system with a smart controller makes it far easier to stay within your schedule and still keep the lawn healthy.
Reclaimed water. Some Tampa Bay neighborhoods, especially in St. Petersburg and parts of Tampa and Hillsborough County, have reclaimed water for irrigation. It comes with its own watering schedules and piping rules, so tell your contractor if you use it.
Flat lots and a high water table. Sandy soil drains quickly, but many lots are flat and the water table rises in the rainy season, so water ponds after big storms. A drainage plan has to account for where the water can actually go.
Don't push it onto the neighbors. Drainage fixes shouldn't send water onto a neighbor's property or into the street in ways your city or HOA prohibits. A good contractor plans the discharge point first.
Call before you dig. Florida law requires contacting Sunshine 811 before digging, so buried utility lines get marked before trenches go in.

What it costs

These ranges come from TampaBayCo's landscaping cost guide:

Irrigation installation: $1,200–$3,500 for most yards

Single-zone basic system (small yard, few heads): $1,200–$1,800
Standard multi-zone system (2–4 zones, typical yard): $1,800–$2,800
Large or complex yards with a smart controller and drip zones: $4,000+

Drainage fixes: $500–$6,000+

Spot drainage (a downspout diverter or a small catch basin): $500–$1,200
French drain or swale for moderate yard flooding: $1,200–$3,000
Full yard drainage system (multiple basins, piping, grading): $3,000–$6,000+

Prices go up with yard size, the number of zones, how much hardscape the trenches have to cross, and how far water has to be carried to a legal discharge point.

How to choose a pro

Ask for a coverage check on repairs. The technician should run every zone with you and point out dry spots, overspray onto pavement, and broken heads.
Ask about zoning. Sun, shade and beds should be on separate zones. Drip for beds and a smart controller usually pay for themselves in water savings.
Confirm the rain sensor and backflow preventer. Make sure the system has a working rain sensor, and that the backflow preventer meets your utility's requirements. Some utilities require periodic backflow testing.
Ask about licenses and permits. Licensing for irrigation contractors is set locally in Florida, and connecting to the drinking water supply can require a plumber or a permit depending on where you live. Ask which licenses the contractor holds for your county.
Get a written drainage plan. For drainage work, the contractor should explain where the water comes from and where it will go before digging. Fixing one symptom often means the problem returns next storm season.
Confirm insurance. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' comp.

How TampaBayCo works

Tell us what's going on in the short form above, whether it's a sprinkler system that needs installing or repairing, or a yard that floods after storms. We send your request to a local irrigation or drainage contractor, who contacts you to look at the yard and quote the work. The match is free, and you're under no obligation to hire anyone. Your details only go to the provider matched to your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a sprinkler system cost in Tampa Bay?

Most installations run $1,200–$3,500. A small single-zone system is about $1,200–$1,800, a typical 2–4 zone system $1,800–$2,800, and large or complex yards with a smart controller and drip zones $4,000 or more.

How often can I water my lawn in Tampa Bay?

The Southwest Florida Water Management District generally limits lawn watering to no more than twice a week, on set days and times that usually depend on your address. Local utilities can be stricter during droughts, so check your city's or county's current schedule.

What's the best fix for a yard that floods after storms?

It depends on where the water is coming from. Roof runoff is often fixed with downspout extensions or buried drains. Low spots may need regrading or a swale, and persistent standing water often needs a French drain or catch basins. Spot fixes typically cost $500–$1,200, and full yard systems $3,000–$6,000 or more.

Do I need a rain sensor on my sprinkler system?

Yes. Florida law requires automatic irrigation systems to have a working rain sensor or another device that shuts the system off when it rains enough. It also saves water and money, since afternoon storms often deliver more water than a scheduled cycle would.