It really does depend on what you want to grow. If you like to direct sow seeds or plant annuals in odd spots, for example, sprinklers might work better. But you'd still want drip for trees and shrubs.

Ideally, you'd get a system that is as flexible as possible so you can alter it as your landscaping matures and your tastes change.

No lawn at all, though some taller native grasses, mostly shrubs and native groundcovers with a few native trees thrown in. All of it should be fairly drought-tolerant once established, but the nice moderate summers in the PNW aren’t what they used to be, so some of our native plants now need irrigation to make it through August and September, at least in some years. All will be planted as plants, not seeds. (We hydroseeded some slopes with native grass for stability, but that’s on its own - no irrigation planned).

It sounds like we’re likely fine with either, though drip might be better for the type of plants we’re dealing with, just because of water efficiency?

I thought people in the Pacific Northwest had to plan to drain their site not irrigate it.

Well, yes, quite a bit of energy is going into our drains at the moment. But unfortunately even our drought resistant landscaping and trees are struggling the last few years. We've started losing big old evergreens if they don't get deeply watered in August.

Our water bill went down by about a factor of four when I switched to drip and the plants have done better. Seems to be a win-win to put the water where it's needed.

Kristin, with no lawn, I would strongly lean toward drip. Sprinklers are best for lawns and are not preferred for shrubs, trees, flowers or veggies. Drip is not "prone to failure," and any breakage or leaks are much less catastrophic and more easily repaired than a sprinkler system. The beauty of drip irrigation is that once installed it is easily expanded upon and repaired by the homeowner. (Actually, initial installation is extremely simple — I'll be doing about an acre of our property this coming spring.) Your contractor might prefer that you not know that, however.

Sprinklers for grass and drip for new shrubs. I've installed dozens of irrigation systems.

We got our landscape bids back. the one that is the least expensive while still having great reviews will only warranty his work on sprinklers, not drip.

We’re waiting for a revised bid that included drip irrigation from one who was more expensive but suggested that our landscape architect had spec’ed more plants than needed for the space, so we asked for his recommendation of a revised proposal. He also had good input about some of the plant choices and recommended swapping a couple of things. We’ll see how the costs end up comparing.

I’m amazed at the cost differences among the landscapers, particularly when broken down to specific areas. All quoted the exact same plants (including sizes) with wildly different results.

Kristin,
A question that can help a great deal:
Do you want to garden, or do you want to have a garden?

Either choice is great as long as you go by what is right for YOU. Just as architects are not always the best kitchen designers, neither are they always the best garden designers. The northwest is a hotbed for gardening, plant experts, and garden designers, so it pays to talk with at least a few who consider themselves garden designers rather than landscapers. (One suggestion: Joy Creek Nursery is magnificent at both.)

Great question. For now we want a garden. Or really, a bunch of pretty plants that will blend fairly well with the forest around and just become tidier as you get up to the house. Our task for our landscape architect was low maintenance and fairly self-sufficient. Oh, and deer resistant. The deer love to eat the flowers and leaves off of everything, so gardening for flowers and fruit/vegetables is pretty futile unless done in pots on the deck (which is probably what my daughter and I will do for a few things).

The deer can be a menace! We had to fence for our Great Pyrenees, which created a two-pronged defense (high fence and giant dog) against the deer. They hang out in the woods beyond our horse corrals and fenced yard but wisely never come in. Outside the fence, all bets are off. I've had to limit our outer driveway beds to unpalatable plants, although I've tempted fate by putting in one rambling rose to climb one of our tall firs.

Make sure you 'only' plant shrubs that 'only' grow to a certain height/withe (and farther apart) that you won't have to trim in the future. That will eliminate yard work.