My first thought is you might need a different contractor, one who knows a little more. I use the Irritrol "Total Control" timers, useful for extended drip irrigation cycles. They are also easy to program and quite versatile.

Highlights:

Up to 4 independent programs
Water day choices are: specific days of week, odd date, even date, interval of 1-30 days
Station run time 1 minute to 10 hours in 1 minute increments
Up to 16 starts per day

The Irritrol "Rain Dial" series is a little less versatile and a little harder to program. It offers up to 3 independent programs.

Note that only one station can run at a time. A good controller can typically power two solenoids on one station. That limitation can be gotten around by using external relays and a larger, external transformer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Total Control from Irritrol

The Rainbird ESP-LX+ series controller will let you accomplish the different days/different times schedule you want.

And I agree with irri guy - choose another contractor, this guy either doesn't know his stuff or doesn't want to be bothered by tying in the drip system.

http://www.rainbird.com/landscape/products/controllers/esplxplus_lxiplus.htm

Thanks. I did choose another guy. I went with a contractor that uses mainly Toro and is going to tie in my drip and do even more drip in addition to the traditional sprinklers for the lawn. The controller had 3 different programs that can be set for different days. I can't wait.

Toro system? Oh well, you'll live and learn.

I installed a soaker-hose system for my perennial garden areas (some annuals, too), and a drip system for my potted herb garden and potted flowers. They have separate timers, because they work completely differently. If I add a system for my lawns, it will be at least one more timer. I like the Melnor timer model #3015, because it provides a lot of functionality for only $24.87.