If you're like most homeowners, you dream of having a lush and well-manicured lawn. Attractive landscaping increases your home value and adds beauty to your residence.

When you invest in trees, shrubs, flowers, and sod, you want to make sure all these plants stay alive. One of the secrets to beautiful landscaping involves finding the right combination of sun and water.

While you can't necessarily control the amount of sunlight plants receive, you can help them receive the desired amount of water via a sprinkler system. If you're tired of lugging garden hoses across your yard, you might want to consider installing a sprinkler system. Before you do, however, make sure you know the pros and cons.

Pro - Convenience: After the installation of the in-ground sprinkler system, you no longer need to plan a time to run your hose or manual sprinkler. Simply schedule when you want the system to turn on and for how long, and you're done. Some systems even let you control it via a smartphone app, giving you more convenience and control.

Pro - Eco-friendly: The in-ground sprinkler system allows you to reduce the amount of water you use on your lawn. This also comes in handy if your state or municipality adopts water-saving measures.

Con - High installation cost: Depending on the size of your yard and the features you want, the cost of installation can be quite high. Also, portions of the yard must be dug up for pipe installation and to connect the pipes to your home's plumbing, so you'll need landscape work to repair it.

Con - Repairs: Over time, sprinkler heads can start shooting water on sidewalks and streets. Underground animals such as gophers and moles might also cause havoc with these systems, and depending on the type of damage, repairs can be costly.

Whether or not you choose a sprinkler system for your home depends on your needs and budget. While up-front and maintenance costs might be a deterrent, consider if the convenience and environmentally friendly aspect more than make up for it. Arming yourself with this knowledge can help you make an informed decision.

Sources: Simplygreenplumbing.com, Groundsguys.com