Should I quote per zone or per head?

Both — zone count sets the valve, wire, and controller requirements, while head count and type drive the material. Quoting zones alone hides the difference between a zone with six rotors and one with eighteen spray heads.

Why itemize backflow prevention?

Because it's usually required by code, frequently requires a permit and an inspection, and it's a meaningful cost. Itemizing it — with the device type and the permit at cost — explains a line customers often haven't heard of and sometimes try to skip.

How do I handle lawn restoration?

State the method: pulling the trench closed, seed and straw, or sod. Trenching leaves visible lines for a season regardless of care, and a customer expecting an invisible install on day one will be unhappy with excellent work.

Irrigation Installation Estimate Template (Free)

What belongs on the estimate

Business name, license number, contact info
Customer name, property address, phone
Coverage area and zone layout
Zones — count, with head type and count per zone
Valves, manifold, and wire
Controller — model, smart/weather sensor options
Backflow device, permit, and inspection
Water source tie-in and static pressure noted
Trenching by linear foot
Lawn restoration and exclusions

The template

[Your Business Name] · License #________
[Phone] · [Email]

Estimate #____        Date: __________
Prepared For: [Customer Name]   Phone: __________
Property: _____________________________________
Coverage area: ______ sq ft
Static pressure: ___ psi   Meter size: ___ in
Zones: ______

--------------------------------------------------
Description                              Amount
--------------------------------------------------
Design + zone layout                     $______
Utility locating (private lines)         $______
Water source tie-in + shutoff            $______
Backflow device [type]                   $______
Permit + inspection (at cost)            $______
Manifold + valves x___                   $______
Zone 1: ___ [rotors/sprays] heads        $______
Zone 2: ___ [rotors/sprays] heads        $______
Zone 3: ___ [rotors/sprays] heads        $______
Drip zone — ___ lf tubing + emitters     $______
Mainline pipe — ___ lf                   $______
Lateral pipe — ___ lf                    $______
Trenching / pulling — ___ lf             $______
Boring under hardscape — ___ lf          $______
Controller [model] + wiring              $______
Rain / weather sensor                    $______
System test + head adjustment            $______
Lawn restoration: [pull-closed/seed/sod] $______
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal                                 $______
Tax (if applicable)                      $______
Estimate Total                           $______

NOT INCLUDED: water service upgrade, electrical
outlet installation, drainage correction, repair of
unmarked private lines, permanent lawn establishment,
winterization (quoted separately).
Valid ___ days.

Record the static pressure

Pressure and meter size determine how many heads a zone can actually run, which determines the zone count, which determines most of the price. Writing it on the estimate shows the design was engineered rather than guessed — and it protects you if a customer later adds a pool and wonders why coverage changed.

Sell winterization on install day

The system needs blowing out every fall. Quote the annual service right at installation and you’ve turned a one-time job into a customer you see twice a year for the life of the system.

Skipping the copy-paste

Software with your per-zone, per-head, and trenching rates already saved builds this estimate fast and schedules the winterization reminder against the property.