How Much Does Sprinkler Repair Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Repairing your sprinkler system costs $273 on average, with most projects falling between $134 and $411. Your final cost will depend on several factors, including the specific issue, labor rates, parts, and more. Working with a professional sprinkler contractor ensures that your repairs are done correctly and will help maintain your system’s lifespan.

Sprinkler Repair Cost Factors

Several factors influence how much you'll pay to repair your sprinkler system, including the specific problem, whether you need a repair or replacement, the season, and more. Here's what to consider when budgeting for your sprinkler repair.

Labor

Plumbers usually charge about $50 to $100 per hour plus the cost of parts to repair your sprinkler system, plus the cost of any parts. Many pros have a one-hour minimum charge and then bill in 15- or 30-minute increments after that. Therefore, if a job only takes 15 minutes, you'll still pay the full hourly cost, which is an average of $75, plus the cost of any parts. 

So, if you have a simple issue for the pro to fix, it can be more economical to have them perform sprinkler system maintenance while they're on-site, as you're paying for a full hour of labor anyway.

Travel and Callout Fees

Many pros also charge a travel fee, so it makes good financial sense to hire a local sprinkler repair company to minimize those fees.

If you have a sprinkler emergency, such as a leaking pipe causing pooling water on the lawn, or if your sprinkler heads won't retract or turn off, you'll pay more. An emergency callout fee is generally $100 to $200 on top of the regular minimum cost, hourly rate, travel fees, and parts. You may pay more for an emergency callout on certain holidays, too.

Season

For non-urgent repairs and maintenance, you might save money by scheduling your service in late fall or winter. Many companies charge higher prices during spring and summer when demand is highest.

Extent of Damage

The extent of the damage will impact your costs. If you have multiple sprinkler heads to replace, you may get a discount. Instead of paying a flat fee per sprinkler head, you'll pay for the parts and the time it takes to repair all of them.

Having multiple parts taken care of at once can save you money, as you'll only pay one callout fee. Additionally, it’s not always economical to repair a particular part. Cracked or sun-damaged plastic parts, for example, will still wear out rapidly, even if you patch or repair them. In these cases, replacing those parts makes more sense than attempting a repair.

Cost by Repair Type

The cost of repairing your irrigation system often depends on the specific part. Fixing a broken component usually requires replacement, especially for less expensive parts. Professionals typically mark up the price to cover the cost of the parts by 25% to 50%, in addition to their labor rates. Here are the costs you can expect to pay based on the sprinkler part that needs repair. 

Sprinkler Head Replacement

Replacing a sprinkler head costs $1 to $20 per item, plus hiring a pro costs $50 to $100 per hour. Here are the costs for the various types of sprinkler heads.

Valve Box Replacement

Valve box replacement costs $10 to $100. This box protects your sprinkler system's valves from the elements and allows you easy access to adjust the settings.

The boxes can become brittle and crack or smash over time or if they are damaged by an accidental impact. To keep the valves in good condition, you must patch or replace a damaged valve box as soon as possible.

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

Replacing a sprinkler valve costs between $10 and $200 each, plus labor. The valve controls the release of water to the various zones in your yard. Before removing this part, ask a pro to confirm whether the problem results from broken equipment, faulty wiring, or both. Sometimes, the wiring gets disconnected or damaged, causing valve malfunction. In this case, you may need to pay to fix the wiring but not necessarily the valve.

Backflow Preventer Replacement

Installing a new backflow preventer costs $100 to $1,000 for the part plus $25 to $250 for professional installation. This tool keeps water from flowing back toward the supply source. Annual testing ranges from $50 to $100 and can help ensure that the preventer continues to perform.

Broken Pipe

The price to replace a punctured sprinkler line runs from $1 to $3 per foot of PVC pipe and $1 to $7.50 per connecting piece, such as elbows, not including labor.

In colder temperatures, an improperly winterized system can cause a pipe to freeze or break. The cost to repair a broken pipe ranges from $100 to $400, not including the expense of fixing water damage. This system consists of interconnected pipes both above and below ground, so the location of the burst pipe will impact the price. You'll need to find a plumber who can locate the problem and complete the repair.

Zone and Timer Rewiring

Replacing a sprinkler system timer costs $30 to $500, plus labor. Your pro may only need to reprogram or rewire this component instead of replacing it, at an average rate of $50 to $100 per hour. In addition to labor charges, installing new wiring for the sprinkler system ranges from $0.50 to $1.50 per foot.

In most cases, your plumber should be able to repair or replace this for you. Sometimes, you may need an electrician. The cost to hire an electrician ranges from $50 to $100 per hour.

Before making the call, confirm that the timer program is set correctly for each zone. If you feel comfortable doing so, turn off the circuit's power and check the controller's wiring. Once reconnected, loose or dangling wires may work properly. If the manual operation of the valves works but the timer does not trigger the correct function, you might have a problem with the wiring.

Sprinkler Repair vs. Replacement

Repair isn’t always an option, in which case you'll need replacement parts instead of patching or repairs. Often, the cost of installing a new part isn't that much more expensive than the repair to begin with.

However, if your sprinkler system is excessively old or continues to need costly repairs in spite of regular cleaning and servicing, you may need to replace the whole system. Replacing a sprinkler system costs $1,500 to $4,000 for installation of the new system and $50 to $100 per hour in labor to remove the old system. Reach out to a local sprinkler repair professional to determine whether repairing or replacing your system is the best option for you.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.