Know your landscape first.

A clearer brief makes every later decision more useful.

What to record

• Areas, planting types and changes you are planning.
• Sunny, shaded, sloped or unusually wet spots.
• Water source and any existing irrigation equipment.
• Observed leaks, runoff, dry patches or pressure changes.
• Local watering restrictions, permit and backflow questions.
• Access constraints and areas to protect during work.

What to ask your contractor

Ask how the design accounts for available flow and dynamic pressure, soil and root depth, hydrozones, filtration, drainage, backflow prevention, maintenance access and future planting changes. Request a documented layout, operating instructions and a handover walkthrough.

Do not infer pipe sizes, zone capacity or backflow equipment from a generic online calculator. Those decisions depend on actual measurements and applicable local rules.