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GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION

About us

Gentle Rain is a full service irrigation and landscape construction firm, serving Hampton Roads since 1966. We are a family owned and operated business that was founded as the first full time irrigation company in Southeastern Virginia. To meet the demands of our clients, we expanded our company to provide a full range of upscale landscape construction services. We proudly offer custom design and installation of hardscapes, water features, landscape lighting and drainage solutions.

Business highlights

Emergency services offered
59 years of experience

Services we offer

DRIVEWAYS, INSTALLATION, OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES. WATER FEATURES. WATERFALLS, PONDLESS WATERFALLS. LANDSCAPE LIGHTING., PONDS, POOL DECKS, PUMPS & WELLS. HARDSCAPES. PATIOS, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION DESIGN, RETAINING WALLS, SERVICE, STREAMS, WALKWAYS

Amenities

Emergency Services

Yes

Free Estimates

Yes

Accepted Payment Methods

  • CreditCard
Reviews
4.634 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
82%
4
9%
3
0%
2
6%
1
3%
Showing 1-25 of 34 reviews
William C.
Oct 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Gentle Rain came highly recommended by several neighbors. Ben and his crew did what they said they were going to do, when they said they would. Very professional, prompt, and courteous. No hassles or headaches. They even made a couple of courteous calls to move two heads after initial installation due to howe owner's changes in landscape. I did not price out job, so cannot compare cost to other companies, but based on two neighbors estimates from several companies, including Gentle Rain, they are very competitive in pricing. Highly recommend them.

Bob D.
Aug 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$200
great work.

Ron F.
Aug 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$241
Technician was able to located problem fast. System was back up in running a few minutes after he arrived. He also replaced several heads that were taken not tall enough for the grass height. I haven't been able to find them, so this was a bonus.

H K.
Jul 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$100
Great - One visit - on time - and they explained the fee structure before they arrived - Not cheap but what I would expect for this type of work

Stephen R.
Apr 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
great job, very responsive

Robert A.
Jan 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Quick, professional, cost effective.

Chris C.
Apr 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,860
Went great. Quick response for a quote, good price, they scheduled it, showed up when they said they would and got the job done. Seems to be working like a champ.

David R.
Oct 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,500
They were here on time.  Worked quickly.  Yard looked great when they were done.  No dirt piles or anything.  We will use them when we are ready for sprinklers in the back yard.

Melvin W.
Sep 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$6,000
unknown

William B.
Feb 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,450
unknown

PAUL W.
Jan 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000
cut a line in lawn that wasn't marked otherwise very well

John C.
Jan 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
Replaced several watering heads and adjusted others.

John S.
Jan 2015
1.0
$80
Provider did nothing. I called to have heads installed and water flow corrected. Service technician showed up only to tell me that he couldn't do anything without a 2nd tech being present. I called the office repeatedly to re-schedule (even after taking off work for the first call) and was told the next appointment was weeks out. The company only sent the first tech to charge a service fee even though NO work had been completed. From reviewing the other reviews on this site and the BBB, this seems to be their practice of sending techs who do no work and have to reschedule only so that they are able to charge service fees.

Debbie B.
Oct 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,175
We chose Gentle Rain based on the very good reviews on Angie's List, their very informative website and the recommendation of our lawn care company. Everything went exceptionally well from the very beginning. Ben and his work crew were very professional, punctual and courteous as well as his office staff. The installation of everything only took two days and there was minimal disruption to the lawn. I love the way the crew cut out the top part of the turf in the areas where they had to dig and placed it back on top of the refilled soil. Cannot even tell they dug in those areas. The design of the system is exceptional and is working beautifully. Ben scheduled an appointment with me to come out after the completion of the install to check out the system and show me how to program the controller. He made some adjustments to the sprinkler heads including replacing some of them in the smaller side of our yard for better watering efficiency. Ben was always exceptionally prompt in responding to my calls and answering any questions I had. We could not be happier with our new irrigation system and we have Ben and his company to thank for that! We will continue to retain Gentle Rain to service/repair the system as needed. I wouldn't trust it to anyone else! I would highly recommend Gentle Rain to anyone looking for a company to provide them with a very well designed and operational irrigation system as well as anyone looking for a company to maintain their existing irrigation system!

Margaret F.
Aug 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,600
unknown

Johanna S.
Aug 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,700
Installation and service in a timely manner. Professional and courteous.

Elsa M.
Jun 2014
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$6,000
unknown

Brooke S.
Oct 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,500
took Our backyard has always been and quot;mushyand quot; due to the poor grading when we purchased the home. We once had an above ground pool so there was a lower section of the back yard which was a pool of water every time it rained. Gentle Rain came and took a look at the yard - front and back and stated they would be able to do the job beginning in July which was fine with us. They came in July and graded the backyard. There was a lot of moving dirt and they had to move a large platform we had our gazebo on. They did an excellent job and we have a dry back and front yard and would highly recommend them to anyone. We are very pleased with the results.

Bryan M.
Sep 2013
2.0
$1,000
I needed my irrigation system pump replaced.
A Gentle Rain technician came out and replaced my old pump. We tested the water stations and everything was working fine. I programmed my system and it came on exactly as it was supposed to. I was back in business and very pleased. However, a couple hours later, after the cycle was complete, I realized the pump was continuously running. It would not shut off. I finally unplugged it and called them back.
The technician returned and did some work. Upon inspecting the system, after he left, I found the pump would no longer turn on when the controller told it to. I couldn’t turn it on manually either. It was useless.
Another employee came and spent an hour working on the system before giving up and concluding that I needed a new well due to sand. In the meantime, he cut a hose, removed a filter and disconnected an electronic component that must have been important for some reason. He left it all in a pile beside my now useless pump.
I did some research, spent a couple hours trouble shooting and boom, I got the system up and running myself. It just took a little time.
Gentle Rain's s solution to my complaint after all this? Come over and remove my pump. Strange. I told them not to come over ever again.
I was more than disappointed and incredibly surprised at their service. With a little time, patience and trouble shooting from Gentle Rain, I could have been a happy and satisfied customer with a working irrigation system. And the technician's explanation that a new well was needed was nothing more than an expensive excuse to be done and get out.
Three years later, my system is working perfectly, thanks to me.



Mark T.
Sep 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,400
very professional, fast and efficient, made extra trips out to adjust sprinkler heads. They were very responsive to us and extremely respectful. It was a very positive experience
The new system had to go in the back yard where a swimming pool had underground lines that predate the present owner. While marking the pool lines and damage to them was my responsibility under the contract terms, they would not let me call my pool people to repair a line damaged by their trencher. Ben made a special trip out to fix it at no extra charge. Each of the 3 employees who worked at my house were polite and pleasant in addition to putting in much hard work trenching and crawling under the house to install the piping.
I strongly recommend them.

Sheridan B.
Aug 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,600
Did what they said they would do.

Cathryn S.
Jul 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$7,000
Gentle Rain did a fantastic job on our very natural stone walkway from our driveway 40 feet down to our lower level backyard at water's edge. Dan and his crew were great to work with. They were professional and careful with existing plants and structures. Dan is an artist in selection and placement of stones. We could not be more pleased from Meg's plan to the completion of the job.

Stephen P.
Jul 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$200
excellent - Lamont was outstanding - The office staff was exceptional as well

David K.
Nov 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,500
It went very well. I would recommend that you do not go just on price though as I have found many people that do and quot;side jobsand quot; for installation and my neighbors that have done it normally need repairs done.

Pat H.
Mar 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000
Ben Hancock and family were a pleasure to work with on my sprinkler project. They showed up on time and completed the project in 2 days. Son Sam took the time to explain the sprinkler layout and controller operation. I would not hesitate to recommend them and use them again.
Showing 1-25 of 34

Licensing

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FAQ

GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.

GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard

Yes, GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION offers free project estimates.

No, GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

No, GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION does not offer a senior discount.

Yes, GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION offers emergency services.

No, GENTLE RAIN IRRIGATION does not offer warranties.