Creative Irrigation & Lighting

Jay R.

I also have experienced terrible service since Allen's Sprinklers was acquired by Creative Irrigation. I always had terrific service in the past and like clockwork, purchased my full service package (Winterization, Spring Turn-On and Backflow Inspection) with stellar service. I even came to know the service techs as they performed a few upgrades for me. I inherited (maybe) a 7 year old irrigation system and for four years with Allen it worked without issue.
But then came Creative Irrigation. (Probably called Creative for the ability to create problems). First I had a leak in my front yard in late summer/early fall. Ok, I said. Maybe its time for a system possibly 10 years old. Creative fixed the issue and winterized the system for winter. The following spring, the returned an installed the backflow - but they didn't do it right and it leaked. When I called to notify them, they came it and fixed it. They attempted to charge me but when I protested that I never touch the backflow, no one had touched it all winter, and the previous company replaced it every year with no leaks, they responded and said it was under warranty and covered. I never bought or knew of any warranty, but they didn't charge me and I was happy. But at the same time, they found a leak in my backyard. So now, I have a system with a new leak in a totally new area during a winter period of inactivity?? I know the most logical way for that to happen is ice freezing in the pipes (there's really nothing else) - Creative are the people that winterized my system, supposedly removing any water before winter!
Regardless, having my backflow now installed and working irrigation I began to enjoy the watering season and decided to deal with the leak later. But strangely, I never noticed a leak. I'm not a plumber, but I'm likely to be able to tell if a pipe is leaking 6 inches from the surface in my backyard. I chalked up Creative's assessment as a possible error. But one day, my wife calls me at work and says sprinkler guys are here they're doing some work. I had no idea they were coming and next thing you know I get an invoice in the mail for the leak in the backyard. I was mad. But it gets better.
Shortly after that, I have the water company come and turn off my water. Why? Because I had a irrigation leak, but this time in my front yard. Right near the main irrigation router panel. The water company said it was bad on probably going on for 2-3 weeks (about the time of Creative's last visit). I hadn't noticed because the area is steeply sloped plus we had a lot of rain. But this was definitely a leak. Confirmed by an exorbitant water bill I had to plea my way out of.
The season was over and I was determined to find a new irrigation servicer. But guess who shows up announced again and performs my winterization and backflow inspection. You got it, Creative.
I called and wrote letters attempting to gain some satisfaction. They offered a lead tech to come and discuss with me, but I wasn't in the mood for some company pitch about how pipes or glues break down - I just wanted out. I left Creative knowing I need leaks fixed, and I don't trust them to even attempt to correct it for free or a lesser rate. That should be all you need to know. Steer clear.

John S.

I got an estimate to upgrade my Hunter controller to a smart Rachio controller. The technicians were pleasant enough, but I felt that I could have installed it is far less time. I had to remount the controller because it was not level and I got tired of looking at a slanted installation every time I went in the garage. They weren't prepared to install the flow meter (even though it was part of the estimate) and wanted to glue it to the copper pipe. I told them to not install the flow meter since the instructions explicitly state not to use glue, which will void the warranty. I installed the flow meter myself using Sharkbite fittings, which Rachio recommends.

Apparently, once you hire them to do any work you are immediately put on the automatic schedule to winterize your system. I received an email stating that they had scheduled my winterization service. I respond to the email to cancel the service since I never requested it or desired to have them perform any additional work for me. Today I got a voice message that they will come out tomorrow to perform the winter service. I had to call and send another email to make it clear I do not want to use Creative Irrigation for anything.

Mack G.

This firm is very unreliable. We purchased a service package that included both the start up and shut down of our services. Its November and they still have not shut us down, despite the current freeze. They are in breach of contract. Stay far away from these clowns.

Shell H.

They did a good job with Spring Sprinkler turn on and the price was fair.

John B.

As the others have said...horrible customer service. They promise and swear to either email or call back and never get back to you. I found a new provider and will NEVER do business with this place again!

Sean K.

Not very happy with this service. I've used them in the past and last spring I scheduled a back flow test and they just forgot to do it. I got a notice from the city that my water is going to be shut off. They were nice enough about it and did come out and get the inspection done, so thought it was just one of these things. I then I tried to schedule a winterization and called 3 times to have it scheduled and no one would call me back from their scheduling department to confirm a date. They kept telling me, ""I am on the list to get schedule, just can't give you a date yet"". I was on the schedule in the spring when you forgot to inspect my backflow device, so what confidence should I have this time. Why is it a struggle to just schedule service? I started this process in early Sept, expecting that schedules would fill up quickly. Now waiting around to ""maybe"" get serviced from Creative, has left me trying to find someone that isn't booked up. BAD customer service....

Marcia S.

Poor customer service - Kevin is good but phone support bad - never return phone calls - my recomendation - lookk elsewhere

A C.

I have been a customer of Creative Irrigation Co for several years. The services they provided were marginal at best and mostly deficient. The last incident occurred during the fall blowout of my irrigation system. The system worked well all summer and after the workmen finished the blowout, I was informed that they would have to come back in the spring because of a broken head. I tried to get an appointment in the spring and the logistic people in the office didn't seem to have the knack for scheduling. I was told that the crew would show on Thurs - and I took the day off from work - and then got a call in the afternoon saying that they would show up on Friday. When I called to express disappointment, Mel and Bev in the office noticeably giggled when I asked how they would amend their error.

Worse yet, I took the cover off the system box and noticed that the wires of two solenoids had been cut or ripped off the top of the solenoid. These two valves/solenoids had been replaced by Creative just the year before. So now, I suspect that during the fall blowout the solenoid wires were damaged (purposefully or not) and that the workmen were trying to cover up the accident with a so-called ""broken head.""

I'm just one customer; others may have had a better experience. But to me these guys (and their office staff) are nothing short of reprehensible.

K M.

The individual who is responsible for giving an estimate is completely unprofessional on the phone and provided me a quote that left open multiple ways to up-charge the job. Didn't return voice messages and liked to yell ""Jesus Christ!!!!"" in the phone when hanging up. If this behavior was displayed prior to me using their services, it shows that my experience with them would be even worse.

Carolyn A.

We did not and will not be using this company for a variety of reasons. They came to our home to provide an estimate to detach our front sprinkler system from our neighbors, get the system back up and running and possibly install a system in the backyard. Creative Irrigation came back to the home two more times after the initial meeting because they needed to look at the yard again and access our home...again. We made arrangements to ensure we were home to accommodate this each time. Not once did we receive a call or notice during those appointment times and no one showed. We had to call to ask where the worker was and were then advised someone had already been out and that they really did not need access to the home again. This was extremely frustrating to alter our schedules, per their request and not have anyone meet with us. Additionally, we were told the estimates were free as that is all they did, provide an estimate. They then began sending bill after bill and calling incessantly about their ""fee for service"", but could never specify what service they provided. Very unprofessional company. I cannot imagine how they would be should we have hired them. Please avoid Creative Irrigation.