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Review Highlights
“We loved working with Sherman and Julio who are informative, resourceful and responsive to our questions and needs.” in 118 reviews
“McKay Irrigation replaced my ancient system with a Hunter Hydrawise smart controller and Netafirm drip lines.” in 7 reviews
“The owner is incredibly nice and gives a lot of professional advice on how to maintain a beautiful garden!” in 18 reviews
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About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Sherman McKay L.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/srv0/yelp_styleguide/bf5ff8a79310/assets/img/default_avatars/user_medium_square.png)
Sherman McKay L.
McKay Irrigation Systems specializes in the design and installation of new irrigation and landscape drainage systems Exclusively. We utilize the best irrigation and drainage materials available and the systems we design and install are of the highest quality and water efficiency. Our irrigation and drainage systems are designed with 100% new parts and with all of our new irrigation and drainage installations our systems come with a solid warranty. After the warranty has expired McKay Irrigation Systems can always be hired to maintenance, review and repair irrigation and drainage systems that we have designed and installed. McKay Irrigation Systems only offers irrigation maintenance, review and repair for systems where we have designed and installed the irrigation system. Please email us at anytime and we can set up a day and time to stop by to give you quote for the best irrigation system imaginable. You can call us 7 days a week from 7:00AM to 6:00PM for any questions related to new irrigation installation. 510-502-4825 We look forward to working with you!
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Overall rating
150 reviews
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- patricia l.Albany, CA07Oct 18, 2019
These folks are amazing!
I recently completed a sizable remodel and needed to expand my irrigation system around the driveway and in a a new courtyard area. As part of the remodel, I'd consulted with a landscape designer to expand the irrigation system and help with plantings. That idea fell flat when the designer had her own ideas and didn't want to hear about any of mine.
When the remodel was complete, I contacted McKay Irrigation to expand my existing sprinkler system. Sherman McKay took the time to educate me about the types of systems that McKay builds (Netafim Techline CV). His partner, Julio, checked out the specifics of my job, and they were able to give me a verbal quote on the spot. By the time Sherman and Julio left, I'd decided to replace my entire system with a McKay Irrigation one.
The system was installed under the direction of Julio, and was complete prior to the estimated installation time. Irrigation was installed in pots, raised beds, along the fence lines, a back lawn and my front yard. The team cleaned up everything (and there was a lot of digging!).
Sherman was interested in my ideas for planting the new beds (from the remodel), and introduced me to Margarito, who often helps Sherman's customers with landscape. Within days of my irrigation system being installed, Margarito's team planted with my choices of plants - a vision that Sherman and Margarito helped me to fine tune!
The irrigation system itself is high tech and able to be controlled via my desktop computer, iPad, or iPhone. If I have a question about anything, Sherman is only an email or text away. Having a "partner" to help with my irrigation and landscape is invaluable.
My plants, old as well as new, are thriving.
As a relative "newcomer" to the East Bay, I'm delighted to have found the folks at McKay Irrigation! It doesn't get any better than this!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Marta J.San Francisco, CA04Jul 6, 2024
I was having problems with my irrigation system and contacted McKay. I received a very thoughtful text that let me know they were really booked up and suggestions on how I could go about obtaining the names of other professionals in the area.
I appreciated them taking the time to put me on the path to finding someone who could help me even though they were fully bookedHelpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jane E.San Francisco, CA01May 31, 2024Updated review
Partners Sherman Mckay and Julio Escobar installed our Hydrawise irrigation system in our front and back gardens which has conserved water, lowered our EBMUD bills and kept our plants healthy. We loved working with Sherman and Julio who are informative, resourceful and responsive to our questions and needs. They have a small crew of people whom they've trained. Watching them work is like watching a choreographed dance, plus they're efficient. We could not be happier, and, believe me, we're not easy to please.
Jane and Katrina, officers in our condo association in OaklandHelpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1Jul 8, 2019Previous reviewQuick response by phone and email; efficient repair, reasonably priced.
Sherman is informative and thorough and a pleasure to do business with.
Jane E. for my condo association in Oakland - Mary F.Berkeley, CA145568635Nov 11, 2023Updated review
After I posted my review, the owner got back to me and arranged to come give a quote. He had family issues and explained that he is usually very responsive.
I contacted several local companies and obtained 3 quotes:
- Company 1: $2900 to replace all 10 valves. This might not fix everything and then we might need to replace the electrical components ($1500 additional)
- This company: $1500 for a new controller and installation. Recommended 1 type (with a cumbersome looking app).
- Company 3: $200 (2-hour minimum site visit) to install new controller and can use any extra time to address other issues. We were able to research controllers and bought one we liked (~$200) that had great reviews and an amazing app.
Ultimately, Sherman (the owner) was able to correctly diagnose the problem and I feel he would have done good work. He came with a helper so part of the higher cost is for 2 people to do the work. Also they do a lot of commercial work. He was also available sooner to do the work. Considering these 3 points, I think the estimate he gave is fair.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Sherman M.
Oct 7, 2023
Hi Mary,
We appreciate you contacting our irrigation business and very much apologize for our not answering your important irrigation request.
Unfortunately, we have dealt with an intense family tragedy that has caused a substantial delay with our response time to new and existing clients needing irrigation assistance.
We deeply apologize about our delay in that we like to assist in whatever way possible with every irrigation request we receive!
As the owner of the business, I personally respond to every call and email that is received, yet it is true that over the last few weeks or more I have been very much absorbed into an intense family matter.
Feel free to call us again and we guarantee your experience will be different Mary.
Wishing you the best Mary!
Sherman McKay
McKat Irrigation SystemsOct 5, 2023Previous reviewCalled twice about two weeks apart and left voicemails. No one got back to me.
Usually when you need sprinkler repairs in this area, you cannot afford to wait so long for a call back. - Christina S.Oakland, CA131May 28, 2024
Sherman was so efficient and professional. He was extremely responsive and went above and beyond to replace our irrigation system quickly. Highly recommend him!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1 - David A.Oakland, CA46824Oct 18, 2023
This review isn't on the work that was done, because we went a different route due to budget restrictions.BUT the fact that the owner took the time to chat with for 10 mins about a solution outside of using his company was amazing! If the time comes that I redo my whole system I wouldn't hesitate to hire McKay irrigation system, especially know that a landscape companies do know a thing about true plumbing or irrigation.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - F L.Walnut Creek, CA01515Dec 13, 2022
We hired Sherman and Julio to install an entirely new irrigation system for us this fall after we realized our newish watering system was either over-watering all of our plants or not watering them enough. The system they installed is the Hunter Pro HC smart controller along with the Hunter Flow meter, so that we are able to see how much irrigation water we are using at any given time, and adjust accordingly. And they also installed a meter which provides leak detection.
In addition to the new irrigation system, Julio and Sherman (and crew) installed a french drain along the bottom of our property, as we live on at the bottom of a hill and the plants at the bottom of our yard were drowning. Since McKay irrigation completed their work a few months ago, all the plants in our yard have been thriving.
I would like to add that Sherman and Julio go above and beyond, their work is impeccable, they walk you through every new item and how it runs, and they are incredibly professional and kind. Additionally, Sherman is always available to help, answer questions, and/or update watering times remotely. The way they work with their team, have lunch together as a group and stay completely involved in every step of the process is also highly unusual and really stood out to me. I cannot say enough good things about McKay Irrigation.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Sherman M.
Dec 13, 2022
Thank you so much FL. For the kind review! We enjoyed working at your home in the Walnut Creek area and look forward to checking up on the irrigation system for review age maintenance in the new year 2023!!!
- Michelle R.Oakland, CA0212Mar 9, 2023
I have a 30 year old irrigation system. It has seen better days. I recently hired McKay Irrigation to replace a large drainage pipe under my deck that was broken and causing flooding. They also replaced my very old and outdated irrigation controller with a state of the art, wifi/app, controller. As well, they tested my system and made some upgrades to valve boxes and other areas where needed.
From the first meeting, Sherman and Julio and crew were professional, highly communicative and performed very high quality work. (not my past experience when hiring for this type of work). Always on time, impeccably neat despite difficult work, always keeping their word, always extremely responsive, very very thorough. I know I will be able to call them in the future for anything and they will be there for me. I feel fortunate to have McKay Irrigation as a resource.
(photo is of my app irrigation controller :)Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1Business owner information
Sherman M.
Mar 9, 2023
Thanks so much for a wonderful experience working at your home Michelle!!
We are glad to have installed the drainage system in February.
We didn’t expect there to be so much more rain at this point into 2023 yet the storms are still hitting hard and the new drainage is keeping the water away from the building.
Thanks again Michelle for a wonderful work experience!! - Jonathan S.San Francisco, CA32910Jun 27, 2023
I highly recommend McKay Irrigation Systems. Their team is knowledgeable, friendly, honest, and good with communication. They also did a fantastic job with our french drain project. A+
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Sherman M.
Jun 27, 2023
Thanks so much Jonathan for the kind review! It was a pleasure installing the new drainage system for your home and wishing you and your family all the best!!
- Angela P.San Francisco, CA02Jan 11, 2024
I highly recommend McKay Irrigation. Sherman McKay is a hands-on owner who, with his team, does excellent work designing and installing irrigation systems. He installed a system at our home 10+ years ago. The system has worked flawlessly. Sherman has continued to be responsive, helpful and reliable throughout the years whenever anything came up that we needed (such as recently when I added a controller to a different part of the garden). One time my husband mistakenly cut one of the irrigation lines and Sherman quickly responded to our SOS for assistance! Great company, honest and terrific people, reasonable and fair pricing - the best!!
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Sherman M.
Jan 11, 2024
It was a joy working at your home setting up irrigation Angela and thanks again for being available at such early morning hours!! Have a wonderful 2024 Angela!!
- Maria M.Albany, CA83112Aug 29, 2022
We decided to install a new irrigation system in our home. McKay came to the rescue, with Julio, Santiago, and the crew and proposed a subsurface dripping irrigation system that resulted more effective and efficient than the sprinklers (worth every penny). Using the Hunter smart controller and the Hunter water meter, which allow you to track water usage, made a big difference. We also put new trees in the sidewalk strip, and McKay followed the recommendations of the City of Berkeley about irrigation (a bubbler for each tree). They have been very responsive about everything: timing, running lines, adjusting flow, teaching the app, making adjustments, etc. Highly recommended. We're very happy with their work and the result.
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