Whether you are searching for a professional irrigation contractor to install a system or to service an existing system, any professional you consider should have certain qualifications to do your work. The bottom line is that you are not only buying an irrigation system, but also buying a long term relationship with the company who will be only a phone call away.

Reputable irrigation professionals will carry appropriate insurance policies to protect you and your property. The insurance policies are critical to your future. You could lose your home or business if something happens and your contractor is not insured. Expect these minimums from a professional irrigation contractor:

· A worker's compensation insurance policy. This protects you from potential liability from one of the contractor's workers is hurt while on the job. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign a contract. This simple step will put you on the insurance company's notification list in case the contractor's insurance should be cancelled.

· A general liability insurance policy. As a general rule, liability policies should have limits of between $300,000 and $500,000 for residential work and at least $1 million for commercial work. This insurance helps protect you in case of unforeseen disasters such as flooding, landslides or other calamities caused by the contractor's work. Again, ask for a certificate of insurance.

· Automobile insurance. This provides another element of liability protection in case one of the contractor's vehicles is involved in an accident on your property. You may want to ask for a certificate of insurance.

Certification, Training, Memberships and Licensing
A contractor should readily provide information about professional certifications, training and required licensing. Licensed and certified professionals are likely to proudly display evidence of their professional activities. If not, you should ask.

· Certification through a reputable institution shows a contractor has demonstrated basic knowledge and skills required to do a job. Contractors with certification have taken training and/or passed exams that demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their field.

· Evidence of training. Contractors should provide evidence of valid training. Even without certification, you are looking for evidence that a contractor can do quality work. Training is offered through professional organizations, through equipment manufacturers and colleges or trade schools.

· Employee certifications and continuing education. The contractor should offer evidence that individuals in the contractor's employment have been properly trained in installation and maintenance. Look for certification appropriate to the work you will have done. The contractor should be able to assure you the work will be done by competent, trained individuals.

· Safety training and employee education programs. What programs does the contractor have to ensure a safe workplace and to train employees so they can improve their capabilities? Professional contractors will have programs like this to foster pride and company loyalty. Ask your contractor what the firm does to encourage employee education and safety.

· Business license. A contractor must at minimum have a basic business license to work in any jurisdiction.

· Other licenses. Some states and/or local governments require licensing for irrigation contractors, but many do not. Additional licenses may be required for irrigation contractors to do basic plumbing and electrical work required for the job. Check with your local government for contractor requirements and a list of contractors licensed to work in your community.

Note: Licensing and certification are different. Some jurisdictions require licensing, but licensing doesn't always involve training or certification. In some cases licenses are issued to contractors who simply pay a fee to the local government. In other areas, training and/or certification are required for licensing. Check with your local government and ask your contractor specifically whether licenses held required passage of certification exams or training.

· Association and trade organization membership. Belonging to a professional organization implies a commitment to furthering the industry and keeping up with technological changes and standards for irrigation.

References and Portfolios
All professional contractors should be expected to prove to you their track record of accomplishment. Here's what you'll find offered as evidence of professionalism:

· A portfolio of past work. You may be shown a portfolio or a professionally produced brochure that displays the contractor's work.

· References. Expect the contractor to provided references and examples of completed projects. The names and telephone numbers of references will be provided for you to call. These property owners should be able to attest to their satisfaction with the contractor's work within the budget. Ideally, that budget will be in the same range as your own. In some instances, the contractor may protect the privacy of some clients by asking them to call you. In addition, the contractor should be able to arrange for a tour of properties completed by the contractor. Stopping by a job-in-progress can be informative, too.

Behavior and Appearance
How the contractor behaves and appears will be a good indication of how smoothly and professionally your job will go.

· Telephone etiquette. Look for contractors who promptly and politely return your calls and arrive on time for meetings. The professional contractor will be on time for the first appointment and every appointment thereafter.

· Professional appearance. The visual image the contractor presents should be appropriate. Neat, clean and professional appearance indicates pride and professionalism.

· Well-maintained equipment. The contractor should arrive in a well-maintained vehicle. Often it will be a truck. Age is not a factor. Pride in appearance is. Look for the company name and logo and an association logo.

Proposals
Get a written proposal. A professional contractor will provide a written proposal. Every aspect of the job should be described in detail, including a dollar amount and warranty terms.  The more detailed the proposal, the better. Remember, the lowest price isn't always the best. You want to choose the best proposal based on all factors.

The proposal should be broken down into subsections with quantities, sizes and brands specified. All preparatory and finish work should be included as should the amounts and the brands of irrigation equipment. Compare proposals point-by-point.

Contracts
Your contract is a guarantee of professional work and a statement specifying mutually agreed upon standards. Insist on a written contract for your protection no matter what the amount. After the contract is signed, any changes you and the contractor agree to make in the work or materials to be used must be in writing. This written "change order" must also include any additions or reductions in the total job price. Here's a list of basic elements you'll find in most irrigation contracts.

· Specific costs of materials to be installed

· Specified start date and an estimated completion date

· Statement regarding payments arrangements such as down payment, progress payment and balance due

· The name, street address and telephone number of the contractor

· Complete description of the work to be done and materials to be used (including quantities and brands of irrigation equipment)

· Guarantees of work and materials

· Statement that the contractor will do any necessary cleanup and removal of debris after the job is completed

· Statement that the work will meet the standards specified in the contract

Customer Service
Expect to be told that the contractor will want to know about any problems or concerns today, tomorrow or a year from tomorrow. The contractor you want to hire will still be here years from now.

When the Job's Done
Expect quality workmanship and a well-organized project from beginning to end. In addition, a professional will estimate a completion date in such a way that the project may well be done ahead of the set date. A professional will compensate for unforeseeable events.

Even though in work clothes, company employees should have pride in their appearance and their firm. Work crews may be uniformed or easily identifiable in some other way.

When the Job Finishes
Expect to be told that your irrigation system is fully guaranteed for parts and labor for a full year. This is the industry standard. The same language should also be in your contract.

Expect a final walk-through prior to final payment.

Expect full instructions on how to care for the system and how to use the mechanical components of your system such as controllers and timers. Do not expect seasonal reprogramming of timers or periodic adjustment of nozzles once they have been properly set and/or adjusted upon job completion unless it's part a separate maintenance agreement.