How Much Does It Cost to Install a Drip Irrigation System? [2025 Data]
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $350 to install a drip irrigation system. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 to $850.
The average drip irrigation price is $350, but you should budget between $20 to $4,000 based on factors like materials, labor, location, and more. Drip irrigation is one of the most water-efficient ways to keep your landscaping vibrant and hydrated. By delivering water evenly and slowly at ground level, evaporation and high water bills will fizzle out. But drip irrigation system installation costs can vary, so keep reading to discover how much it may cost to add a system to your garden.
Drip Irrigation System Costs
Drip irrigation can cost anywhere from $0.50 to $3 per square foot, depending on the type of drip system. Anticipate spending more for larger, subsurface drip irrigation systems and less for smaller, above-ground drip systems.
| Drip Irrigation System Type | Average Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Residential above-ground | $0.50–$3 per square foot | Above-ground drip irrigation is installed above or just below the top layer of soil |
| Residential subsurface | $2–$5 per square foot | Subsurface drip irrigation is installed 20-50 centimeters underground |
| Sprinkler conversion | $300–$1,200 per water zone | Sprinkler system water zones can be converted to drip irrigation zones. |
| Foundation drip | $1.50–$5 per linear foot | Foundation drip systems promote steady moisture levels underneath the foundation |
Subsurface farm irrigation systems cost $1,000 to $2,000 more to install than above-ground drip systems. This price disparity boils down to the cost of installing the irrigation system’s tubes below ground.
Installing a subsurface drip system involves digging a 12- to 16-inch trench and generally requires a professional, as it is a labor-intensive job that uses specialized equipment.
Size
The bigger your lawn, the more you can expect to pay for your drip irrigation system. For areas between 50 and 100 square feet, the cost of a drip irrigation system ranges from $75 to $500. For spaces of around 200 square feet, you’ll pay anywhere between $350 and $1,000. Extra large areas covering multiple acres will tack on thousands of dollars, with an average cost of $1,300 to $3,000 per acre.
Number of Zones
Your drip irrigation system may consist of several watering zones, depending on the size of your yard and each zone’s specific needs. While most homeowners only need one watering zone, you can expect your final cost to increase by $350 to $1,100 for each additional zone.
Drip Irrigation Installation Cost Factors
Several decisions can impact the total price to install a drip irrigation system, including the type of installation, the quality of your materials, the density of the property, and even when you install your system.
Drip Irrigation Materials
Not all materials are created equal, and this is true when it comes to your drip irrigation system. The most durable types of piping for drip irrigation are PVC tubing and low-density polyethylene (poly) tubing.
Which one is best for your home depends on where you live and your micro-environment. For example, polyethylene is resistant to cold temperatures, mold, and flames, while PVC is resistant to acidic soils.
The cost of PVC piping varies from $0.50 to $1 per linear foot, while the cost of poly piping ranges from $0.40 to $2 per linear foot, making PVC slightly more budget-friendly than poly piping.
Drip Irrigation Cost Factors
Factors such as system size, labor, location, and maintenance will affect the final price for your drip irrigation system. Carefully consider the following cost factors when budgeting.
System Size
One of the most significant cost factors will be the size of your drip irrigation system. For average-sized lawns of ¼ acre, you could pay anywhere from $450 to $600. Larger systems covering 1 or 2 acres can range between $1,800 and $5,000. Here’s what you can expect to pay on average based on the size of your lawn.
| Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1/4 acre | $450–$600 |
| 1/2 acre | $900–$1,250 |
| 1 acre | $1,800–$2,500 |
| 2 acres | $3,600–$5,000 |
Property Density
The type of soil and landscape also impact the cost of your project. If you have rocky soil, trees with expansive roots, and dense shrubs, the installation process will take significantly longer than installing a drip system in a yard with sparse coverage, loam soil, and minimal obstacles. As such, you’ll want to set aside a larger budget to accommodate denser properties.
Timing
The prime time for installing a drip irrigation system is fall. You might save on the cost of your installation by hiring a pro during this time of year, as many homeowners plan to install new systems during the spring and early summer. Some companies may decrease costs by up to 5% to incentivize homeowners to shop off-season.
Prep
Before you hire your installer, it’s a good idea to hire a land surveyor near you to inspect your land and advise you on how to proceed with more complicated projects.
You may need to clear out space to lay the irrigation system. For example, installing a subsurface drip system includes the cost to dig a trench, which adds between $4 and $12 on average.
Labor
You’ll pay between $50 and $100 per hour to hire a professional to install your irrigation system. Some complex underground installations can take up to 16 hours to install, while other simpler, above-ground systems may take just an hour.
Location
Where you live also impacts drip irrigation system prices. Residential homes in urban areas with higher costs of living may charge around 30% more to install drip irrigation compared to residential homes in more rural areas.
Ongoing Costs of Drip Irrigation
Don’t forget to consider these ongoing expenses associated with drip irrigation.
Winterization: If your area experiences freezing temperatures during the winter, you’ll need to winterize your drip system, which costs up to $300.
Maintenance: Your drip irrigation system will need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in optimal condition. You can expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour for professional sprinkler services.
Cost of Common Add-Ons
While you’re at it, a drip irrigation project goes hand-in-hand with other projects around the yard that are perfect for stepping up your yard’s game. Many landscape and irrigation specialists are happy to offer a more comprehensive package as a part of their services.
Below are a few common add-ons to do at the same time as your drip irrigation installation.
Lawn fertilization cost: $75–$500
Lawn aeration cost: $75–$205
Lawn maintenance cost: $100–$500
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you plan to install an above-ground drip system, you can easily DIY the job by purchasing a simple drip irrigation kit at your local home improvement store. These kits can cost as little as $20 per 100 linear feet.
If you hire an irrigation system professional in your area or local handyperson to install your above-ground drip irrigation kit, the labor costs fall between $150 and $300 for the whole job. However, most of the kits available for residential usage make for an easy DIY installation. Putting in a full subsurface drip irrigation set-up is a job best left to the pros.
Above-Ground Drip Irrigation Kit
Unless your garden is particularly large or complex, above-ground systems sold in full kits meet most homeowners’ drip irrigation needs. Costs vary depending on the size of your garden bed.
| Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1/16 acre | $80–$160 |
| 1/8 acre | $415–$520 |
| 1/4 acre | $600–$750 |
How to Save Money Installing a Drip Irrigation System
Everyone likes a bargain, and, depending on how you go about your drip irrigation system, you can find ways to save on the total cost of a frugal installation.
Check out these tips on how to save on drip irrigation prices:
Choose an above-ground drip irrigation system.
Decrease the square footage of your installation space.
Opt for PVC as your piping material.
DIY your installation with a soaker hose.
Plan for an off-season installation.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drip irrigation systems may add value to homes. If the system is correctly installed with high-quality materials and a strong design, then you could see an increase in your home’s value. However, if the system has a poor design, incorrect installation, and poor-quality materials, you could actually see a decrease in your home’s property value.
Expect a drip irrigation system to last between 10 and 15 years. How long your system will last depends on the condition of your property, the quality of the irrigation system and installation, and how well you maintain your irrigation system. Unlike traditional sprinkler systems—which can last up to 50 years—drip systems use thin piping that is susceptible to UV damage and the elements, significantly decreasing their lifespans.
By delivering water directly to the roots, drip irrigation keeps plants healthier with less fertilizer and less H2O. Without losing water to evaporation or runoff, drip irrigation cuts necessary water usage by as much as 30% to 50%. Drip irrigation also supplies water at a consistent rate, which keeps plants healthier by relieving them of damaging stress and allowing them to grow faster, all while reducing the growth of weeds. Maybe best of all, by operating continuously and automatically, it saves you the labor of regular watering.
Drip irrigation is best and most commonly used for plant beds, containers, greenhouses, and row crops. Unless you’re building a home and landscaping from scratch, installing subsurface drip irrigation is going to be costly and time-consuming.
You can’t install such a system in a yard with tree roots; ultimately, the expenses of yard preparation and installation will dwarf the savings unless your yard is unusually shaped or difficult to water. An above-surface solution, like a soaker hose, is a more viable option. However, it can create tripping hazards and pose safety issues while using a lawn mower and other machinery.
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