Irrigation & Sprinkler Service
Every suburb built since 1990 has one. They all need you twice a year.
Bottom line
Accessible entry point; validate local supply before buying.
Irrigation service businesses perform spring startups, fall winterizations, repairs, and new installations for residential and commercial sprinkler systems. The model has a built-in billing cycle: every customer needs service at least twice per year — spring activation and fall blowout — creating a guaranteed recurring revenue trigger. With 36 million irrigation systems installed in the US (predominantly in suburbs built after 1990), the customer base is enormous. Spring and fall seasons generate 60-70% of annual revenue in concentrated, predictable bursts. A solo technician can service 12-18 systems per day and generate $100K-$200K in annual revenue with 30-40% margins.
Avg Revenue
$250K
Profit Margin
32%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 2.5x
Startup Cost
$15K - $60K
How It Works
In spring, you visit each system, restore water pressure, test all zones, adjust heads, and activate the controller. In fall, you use an air compressor to blow water out of all lines before freezing. Each visit takes 45-90 minutes and charges $75-$150. Repairs (broken heads, solenoids, controllers) are add-on revenue at $100-$400 per visit. New installations run $2,500-$8,000.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
Irrigation & Sprinkler Service has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Category-level fit before lender-specific diligence.
Weak source data caps the final score.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 32% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 212 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !No category model yet
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561730 · Landscaping Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | NY | $135K | $159K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $150K | $177K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $1.4M | $1.6M |
| Mar 2026 | CA | $333K | $392K |
| Mar 2026 | MN | $83K | $97K |
| Mar 2026 | IL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Mar 2026 | MA | $100K | $118K |
| Mar 2026 | FL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Feb 2026 | SC | $480K | $565K |
| Feb 2026 | IN | $990K | $1.2M |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Built-in twice-yearly billing — every customer needs spring startup and fall winterization
- +36 million residential irrigation systems in the US with more installed every year
- +Easy to acquire — routes sell for 75 cents on the dollar of annual service revenue
- +Repairs and installations add high-margin revenue to the base route
Cons
- -Heavily seasonal — most revenue earned in 6-8 weeks in spring and fall
- -Slow period in summer and winter requires cash management
- -Competitive in established suburban markets with many local operators
Best For
Seasonal operators in suburban markets who want a simple twice-yearly cash flow engine
Operating Costs
Primary costs are a service van, air compressor for winterizations ($1,500-$4,000), basic hand tools and head replacements inventory, insurance, and marketing. Labor becomes the main cost when scaling beyond one technician.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find irrigation and landscaping service businesses for sale
Browse irrigation company acquisitions
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $375K–$625K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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