Question
I am on a subdivision committee to identify and evaluate installing an inground system. Each company we talk to uses different products. Any advise on how to evaluate? It's a 40 building complex, lots of turf. Looking for reliability on Toro, Weathermatic, Rainbird and Hunter rotors, heads, controllers, etc.

Where do we begin?

Answer
Hello Joanne

The best recommendation I can give to someone in your position is to hire an independent irrigation consultant - preferably an Irrigation Association Certified Designer who has had several years in practice and also had some practical experience as a contractor.  My thinking is that a well rounded designer/consultant should have dirt under his/her nails to truly visualize and appreciate the design intent and the client's requirements.  In this case, you Joanne, are the client.  

Also - do your due diligence on product materials.  Knowledge is your best ally.  For starters - go to:

www.irrigation.org  (The Irrigation Association)
www.asic.org (American Society of Irrigation Consultants)
www.rainbird.com (Rain Bird)
www.hunterindustries.com (Hunter)
www.toro.com/watermgmt/index.html (Toro)
www.weathermatic.com (Weathermatic)

Consultants operate with non-proprietary interests, meaning they should only specify what the job requires after presenting all available options to you and your committee if necessary.

Irrigation designers evaluate site conditions and prepare professional irrigation plans to meet the needs of an individual project. The designer chooses the most effective irrigation equipment and design methods for the site and individual project requirements. The designer establishes specifications and design drawings for the construction of an irrigation project, the way an architect creates a building design.

Irrigation designers have been employed for many years in golf course planning, but in recent decades designers have been called upon more often for large commercial and residential irrigation projects.  They will also provide construction supervision to ensure the design intent is realized.

Good Luck

Tony