Before you start pounding the pavement, a firm understanding of the trade is paramount. Buy all the rags we've suggested, meet with your suppliers; some of them can be helpfull; many of mine taught me a lot. The first couple of systems I installed were stupid, but they worked, and I learned from them; you've got to do the same. It's the passion that will make you successful and happy.
Trying really hard to learn! HELP!
Ok, so I have been in lawn care for around 8 years and I want to add irrigation to increase revenue and profit margins and also as something else fun to do. I really am excited about getting into it!
I have read most of the beginners advice forum here, and I appreciate all the info. One of the first guys on the forum posted a link to a tutorial that he thought was pretty solid, so I started there with my reading. I'm not even all the way thru it yet and I'm enjoying it, but I'm also kinda overwhelmed at all the info involved at some points. I know that once I do it a couple times it will get easier, but I guess I'm just looking for some more starting advice. How do you find best to wrap your head around it all? Besides the tutorial I'm currently studying, is there anything else I should read that has a lot of easy to understand instruction and visuals? (I'm a pretty visual learner). Finally, when I think I'm ready to take on my first system, what is the best way to go about getting irrigation jobs? I put irrigation on my biz cards a couple years ago cuz I had a company that I was going to subcontract but I never really got much attention from it and nothing ever really happened and of course I didn't pursue it much because I was focusing on grass cutting. So how can I land a few jobs?
Anything, any guidance is extremely appreciated. Thanks!
I have read most of the beginners advice forum here, and I appreciate all the info. One of the first guys on the forum posted a link to a tutorial that he thought was pretty solid, so I started there with my reading. I'm not even all the way thru it yet and I'm enjoying it, but I'm also kinda overwhelmed at all the info involved at some points. I know that once I do it a couple times it will get easier, but I guess I'm just looking for some more starting advice. How do you find best to wrap your head around it all? Besides the tutorial I'm currently studying, is there anything else I should read that has a lot of easy to understand instruction and visuals? (I'm a pretty visual learner). Finally, when I think I'm ready to take on my first system, what is the best way to go about getting irrigation jobs? I put irrigation on my biz cards a couple years ago cuz I had a company that I was going to subcontract but I never really got much attention from it and nothing ever really happened and of course I didn't pursue it much because I was focusing on grass cutting. So how can I land a few jobs?
Anything, any guidance is extremely appreciated. Thanks!
21 - 40 of 52 Posts
I appreciate the link. I have been readint the page for a while and I'm not quite sure which license I am required to have....there is a lot of info here and I am having trouble finding which one fits irrigation systems. Thanks!here you go
www.tn.gov/commerce/boards/contractors/index.shtml
read the link, stay out of trouble.
you're prolly not gonna be doing much till this is taken care of so, you prolly will have enough time to build a good foundation for the trade.
best of luck
I still want to see an irrigation plan.
Works quicker then Ambian !It will also put you to sleep. But it is a good book if you can stay awake.
Does he come on anymore after you gentlman told him he was uppety?(waiting for Kiril to return and remind me that it is really silty loam)
Haven't seen him. Funny or not so funny that I have falling outs with the internet anonymous crowd. If you don't have to let people know who you are then you have no controls or brakes on your arguing. I've asked LS to require all posters to give a name but no go. Can't tell you how much better my attitude is on this site by putting anonymous posters on ignore. I guess in the great collective some of these leftnut anonymous posters want we all become a serial number in some concentration camp.
I hear some guys wont even read a book unless they know the author's shoe size.
I'm going to try and draw up a mock design for my own yard. Might take me some time but when it's done I'll post it up here and let you guys take a gander at it.I still want to see an irrigation plan.
In the meanwhile, does anyone know anything about the license you need for doing irrigation in TN?
You'll have to pass the Tennessee business and law exam, and possibly a trade exam, to get a license from the Board. The exams are given by PSI Exams. You can contact them at:I'm going to try and draw up a mock design for my own yard. Might take me some time but when it's done I'll post it up here and let you guys take a gander at it.
In the meanwhile, does anyone know anything about the license you need for doing irrigation in TN?
PSI Exams
3210 East Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(800) 733-9267
Fax: (702) 932-2666
http://www.psiexams.com
You can link to exam details from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors page at http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/contractors/index.html.
The Board has a lengthy list of the trades it licenses. For many of the trades, you'll also have to pass a trade exam. The trades which involve environmental work (asbestos abatement, underground storage tank installation, lead abatement, hazardous waste removal, and air, water, or soil remediation) all require you to have a current EPA training certificate. Outlines are available for all of the exams in the Candidate Information Brochure distributed in the license application packets by the Board.
In addition to a license from the Board, you must also register with the Division of fire prevention in the Department of Commerce and Insurance if you do any electrical work which requires inspection. To get an application, you can contact them at:
Department of Commerce and Insurance,
Division of Fire Prevention
Permits and Licenses Section
500 James Robertson Parkway, 3rd floor
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1322
Fax: (615) 741-1583
http://tn.gov/commerce/sfm/index.shtml
Contractor's license fees: It will cost you $250 nonrefundable to file your application and get your license if you pass the exams. A license is good for two years. License renewal will cost $200. The Business and Law exam will cost $44. Trade exams cost either $44 or $38, depending on the specific trade.
sorry i can't be totally sure, but i got this much.......good luck
Hey, did you use the bubble level on that head at the corner of the driveway?
The heads out in the middle look like 4". What a piker.
We had to cut corners somewhere; the 12'' hi-pops with Hunter low-drain checks cuts into the budget; I wish Toro would provide built-in checks in the hi-pops, but that's Toro.
cool mike,Here's my splice boxes I attacked today and Russ's new SR zones operating w/RM remote. Hey Jim, your locator found the last of the mystery valves today; still have some wiring issues, but all is good with the zones I've had to gang.
did you guy's do a dance to celebrate?
i have a copyright on mine. somewhat better than this :cool2: but not as cool as the charleston. :laugh:
i knew you guy's had it dialed, how hard a find?
Russ is doing damn good good with our 521 wand and your unit; we took your advice and went to my splice box with the Maxi cable and he found it. Put the toner on it and got it, sent him 24-volts from my portable transformer and proved it. The only odd thing, was his v.o.m. showed .33 amps, where our RM was showing it going the other way; never had that happen. :dizzy:how hard a find?
...................Russ is doing damn good good with our 521 wand and your unit; we took your advice and went to my splice box with the Maxi cable and he found it. Put the toner on it and got it, sent him 24-volts from my portable transformer and proved it. The only odd thing, was his v.o.m. showed .33 amps, where our RM was showing it going the other way; never had that happen. :dizzy:
In looking at the previous post, I realized our RM was showing failing amperage, his test at the the valve was 33 ohms, which in a non-W*M world would have indicated nothing wrong. HOWEVER, we are dealing with solenoids that heat up and start to fail. A ohm reading on a cold solenoid means nothing, I'm starting to learn.
somehow i'm in the friggin twilight zone here, i'm reading amps and ohms and bits and pieces of posts..........give this a minute
mike,In looking at the previous post, I realized our RM was showing failing amperage, his test at the the valve was 33 ohms, which in a non-W*M world would have indicated nothing wrong. HOWEVER, we are dealing with solenoids that heat up and start to fail. A ohm reading on a cold solenoid means nothing, I'm starting to learn.
i was interupted, scrolled down to the review list and was reading the newer post without realizing it . the mix between ohms and amps threw me.
russ is going to be good locator, man, he listens and learns well and he can think on his own. once a guy gets it in his head that a wire is a wire is a wire he can find any wire.
21 - 40 of 52 Posts
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