The Sprinkler Dilemma: When Should You Pay for a Return Visit?

You hired a landscaper to maintain your sprinkler system. Their plan included inspecting sprinkler heads and making replacements as needed. Seems straightforward, until one of the sprinkler heads starts acting up shortly after their visit. Now they’re asking you to pay again for them to come fix it.

 

Fair? Maybe.... maybe not. It’s kind of a gray area.

 

We’ll explain when follow up fees are standard, and when they might signal a contractor problem you shouldn’t have to absorb.

Service Call Fees: The Industry Norm

It’s true, many contractors and landscaping companies charge a service call fee just to show up. It’s often a flat-rate fee designed to cover travel time, labor for diagnostics, or simply the base cost of doing business. Think of it as the equivalent of a doctor’s copay before treatment even begins.

If a landscaper failed to properly inspect or repair your system, charging you again to fix their oversight is not okay. (iStock)

These fees aren’t inherently shady. In fact, for solo contractors or small businesses, service call fees are part of how they stay afloat. That said, transparency is key. If your landscaper includes service calls in their contract, or fails to disclose them altogether, you’ve got a different issue on your hands.

 

Here’s what you can do:

  • Review your service contract. Is the fee structure clearly outlined?
  • Ask if the visit is considered a “warranty callback.” Some companies waive the fee if the return visit relates to previous work they didn’t complete properly.
  • Document everything. Especially the original issue, when it was supposed to be fixed, and what’s still going wrong.

When It’s NOT Fair to Pay Again

Let’s get one thing straight: If the landscaper failed to properly inspect or repair your system the first time, charging you again to fix their oversight is not okay.

 

This isn’t just about fairness, it’s about consumer rights.

 

Imagine this: you paid for a “full inspection” of your irrigation system. That should include testing all sprinkler heads. If a faulty head wasn’t caught, or if it was replaced with one that doesn’t work, it’s reasonable to expect a follow up visit at no extra charge. After all, the job wasn’t done right the first time.

 

Unfortunately, not all contractors are equally diligent, and some may attempt to shift blame for poor workmanship onto the customer. That’s why documentation and clarity up front matter.

What to Do If You’re Stuck in the Middle

If you're caught between a malfunctioning sprinkler and a contractor demanding more cash, take these next steps:

  1. Politely push back. Ask the landscaper if this issue should fall under the scope of the original service. If they replaced the head or claimed it was working, the return trip might be part of their warranty policy.
  2. Request clarification in writing. Email is your best friend here. Ask them to detail why a second fee is necessary and what exactly it covers.
  3. Mention a second opinion. Sometimes, just letting a contractor know you might bring in another expert encourages them to revisit their own work more fairly.
  4. Report repeat problems. If a contractor consistently demands extra payments for unresolved issues, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Consumer Protection Division or the Better Business Bureau.
If you're caught between a malfunctioning sprinkler and a contractor demanding more cash, there are steps you can take. (iStock)

A Quick Gut Check for Homeowners

Still unsure whether the extra charge is justified? Ask yourself:

  • Was this issue part of what was supposed to be fixed already?
  • Has the landscaper taken accountability for the initial outcome?
  • Did you get a clear scope of service—and was it fulfilled?

If your answers suggest corners were cut the first time, you're not out of line for challenging the extra fee.

The Takeaway

Hiring help for home maintenance shouldn’t come with hidden headaches. While service fees are common, they should never be used to cover mistakes or incomplete work.

 

By reading the fine print, keeping clear communication, and understanding your rights as a consumer, you can confidently navigate even the trickiest billing conversations.

 

And hey, the next time your sprinklers give you grief? You’ll be armed with more than a garden hose. You’ll have the knowledge to ask the right questions before the water (or the bill) starts flowing again.