Pipe

• One of the largest factors in determining the price of a sprinkler system is how much pipe you will use. PVC pipe costs about $5 per 10 feet. If your lawn has a perimeter of 1,000 feet, the pipe will likely cost about $500. The cost of PVC pipe fittings to connect each section of pipe is about $3 per fitting at most home improvement stores, and you will need two fittings per section of pipe. Additional fittings will be required at each location where you want to install a sprinkler head.
  
  

Sprinkler Heads

• Sprinkler heads can be made out of plastic or metal. As a general rule, plastic sprinkler heads cost much less than their metal counterparts. But there are a wide array of sprinkler options within each option. Small, 2-inch plastic sprinklers that have a simple pop-up nozzle average about $2 per unit. More complex rotating nozzles and larger pop-up models can cost up to $20 per unit, depending on the brand. Metal sprinklers are generally a few dollars more per unit, but have the added benefit of being very durable. Metal sprinklers will often outlast plastic sprinklers, making the initial investment beneficial down the road. In general, expect each zone to cost about $400 to $600, depending on the number and type of sprinkler heads.
  
  

Manifold

• The sprinkler manifold is the most expensive part of the sprinkler system. That's because the manifold contains all of the sprinkler valves. At a cost of about $15 each, you will need to buy one valve for each zone on the system. If you are building a six-zone system, for example, expect to pay about $90 for the valves. The additional cost of the pipe used to connect the valves usually adds only a few dollars to the overall cost of the manifold.
  
  

Other Equipment to Consider

• All sprinkler systems require a pressure vacuum breaker, which regulates the flow of water within the system. These brass devices can cost more than $70. You will also need a sprinkler timer, which controls the zones on the system. Timers have a wide range of prices based on their features. You also will need equipment to put the system together, including PVC cement, Teflon tape, electrical wiring and a trenching machine. Expect to pay about $100 for the equipment used to install the system.