Dawn was a rockstar, she helped me plumb my diy cold plunge. She literally built the plumbing for me piece by piece, from pump to chiller. I can't put a price on knowledge and good help. Thank you again Dawn, much love. read more

I always get excellent service at A1. Today, I got "super excellent" help and service. I ran over a sprinkler head with my lawnmower and totally annihilated it. It originally took several different sprinkler heads to find one that worked for the spot it was in. I was having no luck finding a proper replacement when Pedro walked up and asked if he could help me. I initially had reservations (because DIY me couldn't find a replacement) but went ahead and explained what I needed. In less than three minutes he had constructed (!!) exactly what I needed. He was very knowledgeable , friendly, and professional. He went on to help me with a tree problem. I know that "big box" stores have a larger selection than privately owned stores, but I've never had one of their employees provide the professional, patient and friendly help that Pedro provided. Thank you Pedro (and A1). read more

Always a pleasant experience. Erica is always happy to help. The whole store is just one big happy place. Prices aren't bad either. read more

Excellent and informed customer service, wide selection hardware, gardening and household needs, and never had a negative experience in the 5 years I've been shopping there. A1! read more

The staff is rude and treated me poorly. They seemed so angry and mean, like Erica, that it made me upset that I even asked for help. Will shop at Home Depot instead even though it is farther away. read more

Very knowledgeable staff. They have everything you might need for a weekend project, right down to the nuts and bolts. They are a wonderful local resource so that there is no need to drive to Escondido to shop for supplies. Highly recommended! read more

Great personal, and service! If they don't have it, you don't need it! I had nice helpful people.

A local hardware store that seems to have everything. They have saved me many trips to Escondido. read more

Don't be put off by the "Irrigation" in the stores name. Local hardware store that's been there forever, staffed by local people, if they don't got it, they can get it . The only place that Ive found that can repair garden hoses with male/female screw fittings. I'm always running into locals that I know. read more

I must say.... A-1 Irrigation is a great gem here in Valley Center. I'm not sure how they are able to fit so much into this spot...yet the place is still organized, clean and the staff are friendly and know where to find things. All factors you do not see at the local "big box home improvement" places. Awesome to know I don;t have to drive down the hill to find what I need to fix or update something at home. read more

Everyone is always friendly and helpful, and for being a small town hardware store, they have a surprisingly great selection. Convenient to not have to drive down the hill, and always a plus supporting local! Win- win! read more

Love this store! Haleigh provides excellent service. Even though there was a lack of experience she still pointed me in the right direction and was very helpful. Chris was is such a funny guy, always putting a smile on my face. I go into the store with doubts but every time I come out confident and reassured that A-1 has got my back! If you're looking for the right people to help you do a job the right way, A-1 is the place to go! read more

I've been going to A-1since 1998. Great people, great management. Both have never disappointed. Their items cost a little more. But you lose time and money if you go down the grade. Rarely so they not have what I need. Unlike the big box stores, I can always find someone to help. Plus the love seeing my German Shepard. read more

Absolutely the best customer service in person and on the phone. In this day in age it's hard to find a store that still has human interaction at its core! They may not have big box store stuff, but you don't get big box store service. Order it if you can. Thank you for caring about your community!! read more

I love coming here so its with sadness i have to post this- If a customer calls you ahead of time and says "hey im gonna be there but right at closing time i know what i need ,it will literally take me 2mins. Then you show up at 4:58pm to find the doors locked when they close at 5 .... Thats just bad customer service. I understand you have employees ,you have a schedule to keep but really ..... You might as well advertise that you close at 4:55 instead of 5pm and when a customer calls you ahead of time dont tell them "well if your here by 5pm .... read more

A1 is awesome! For a local hardware store, they have an excellent selection of stocked items for electrical, painting, lumber, concrete and much, much more. A1's inventory of irrigation products is unmatched. They may not always be the cheapest, but the convenience alone is well worth bringing more of your hard earned dollars to A1 Irrigation. Stop in and check 'em out! And say "hi" to Jack and Stuart while you're there. read more

Since moving to the country we were concerned that we would not be close to a Home Depot or a Lowes which we were previously accustomed to shopping for household needs, but thankfully Valley Center has a great hardware store that for the most part meets all of our household and rental property needs. The manager Stuart is always helpful and courteous when we are trying to find difficult or hard to determine pieces from anything to do with irrigation, plumbing, to cabinet luster. We love his "bring it back for a refund if you dont like it" attitude, which leaves us very comforted, even though I think in 5 years we only returned something once for an exchange of a larger size. Great customer service in a hometown community! read more

I unfortunatly had to deal with a employee of A1 irrigation, her name was Erica. I needed to have a locked cabinet unlocked and she was very just pushy and she was rushing me get what I wanted from the cabinet. Just standing there like hovering over me. And I wasn't excatly sure what I needed and I would have liked to have looked at it longer. She was very rude! And she was not very helpful on top of that either. The store seemed to have a good selection but staff seemed to more interested in you getting out of the store rather then looking for what you want to get. Hence the single star. read more

The employees in this store are frequently border-line rude but, the store is convenient so I have been willing to pay the higher prices and ignore the poor attitudes. However, today was the last straw for me and I'll drive the extra 10 minutes to get to Home Depot from now on. When a cashier acts like she's doing you a favor by taking your money, carries on a conversation with other employees while waiting on you (complaining about the previous customer), then doesn't say a word of thanks (or any words for that matter) when handing the receipt, it's time to stop shopping in that store. Everyone worries about the local business owners when a chain store like Tractor Supply comes to town but, I welcome the chance to support a store that wants my business. Apparently A-1 doesn't need my money. read more

People who work here are so beyond pleasant. They have everything. The prices are good. A little out-of-the-way but had the best experience.

I'm so disappointed with the screens I dropped there to be re screened, not only were the frames twisted but the screen itself was loose , and I was charged an outrageous price for two small screens $35.56 !!! UGH never again . So much for supporting local business. read more

Better prices than Home Depot or amazon and great customer service! Called looking for wood bleach and in 30 seconds they found it, let me know the price (which was $2 cheaper than Home Depot and $4 cheaper than amazon), and offered to hold it for me. Doesn't get much better than that! read more

Love A-1! They always have what I'm looking for (usually irrigation supplies) and they're way cheaper than tractor supply or down the hill. Employees are super friendly and helpful and are always asking if you need help finding something. The checkout line never gets to be more than two people because they radio for another cashier to open up. This all seems like common sense business practices but when was the last time you saw this at a Home Depot? I'm an A-1 customer for life. read more

Love A-1 for the quick drive from my place, knowing that there going to have most of what I need. Prices can be a little steep of some items but when I need it there. read more

Very well organized & a knowledgable staff of friendly & courteous workers! Competitive prices & a great selection & variety of products! They also accept requests to brands or items they don't carry, so don't hesitate to ask! Highly recommended!!! read more

A-1 used to be the place to go in the area but nowadays prices are high even for the area and the quality of the stuff on the shelf depends on which shelf you are currently at. Staff A lot of the staff that used to make this place really useful and helpful retired and now most everyone in there is young. You ask them basic questions and you usually get a confused look and a response that isn't helpful or on topic. Basically they got rid of their expert staff and now have a sales team. That being said they still tend to be friendly and attempt to be helpful. Tools Sometimes they have really nice tools that last a long time and sometimes its the pos you would normally find at Harbor Freight. Tools are either too expensive or just cheap. If you are going to buy any kind of big brand name tool ie. Milwaukee, Makita etc you are better off with Home Depot unless you just enjoy blowing money. Hardware If you go there to buy screws and nails you will find screws that snap in half when using an impact driver and nails that like to bend. Irrigation They have a good supply of irrigation items. Hence the name. Lumber Their lumber selection is awful and usually they don't even have straight 2x4's. Fence The fence selection is okay. Not a huge selection but if you just need a roll of chicken wire or welded wire fence its got it. The fencing is a bit more expensive than going to HomeDepot but not outrageous. Plumbing Good selection considering. Prices are same just a bit high. Like most things in Valley Center. Overall I think the management changed and so did the quality of everything. read more

I don't know which is better, the selection or the helpfulness of the staff. A-1 has pretty much everything you might need for irrigation and the hardware selection is excellent. Their staff is knowledgeable and EASY TO FIND! (unlike looking for an orange apron or a blue vest downtown) Their prices are competitive, and ...oh yeah...they repair garden hoses! No more fiddling around with clamp on repair kits that always leak! Not to mention saving money versus buying a new hose. It's a great little hardware store. read more

I don't usually write reviews but felt I had to. I was trying to buy replacement tires for a hand truck (dolly). Stuart, the manager I think, was extremely helpful. To make sure I was getting the right product, he actually put the tires on for me. Very cool. read more

great customer service, prices similar to home depot , however, they dont have the inventory that big box has.

A1 staff is absolutely amazing. They are very knowledgeable and offer better quality parts and materials then home cheapo and Lowe's. Saves me time and gas avoiding the trip down into Escondido. Every employee is happy to help and Stuart is the man, he is always happy to answer any questions . Serge in the warehouse makes sure all your 2x4's are nice and straight and gets you the parts you need. Thanks for all your help and support A1. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality materials and one on one professional assisitance on any project. read more

I looked everywhere, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, etc. I was just about to give up and order on-line-went to A1 and there it was!!! Concrobium Mold Stain Eraser. I needed it this week, so if I had to wait for delivery for an on-line order-I would of been late getting my project done. Thank you A1!!! read more

A1 is close to home and they have a great selection. I love knowing that I don't have to cross the grade to find what I need. Awesome customer service and super friendly staff. Always ready to lend a helping hand and knowledgeable about the products. I high recommend A1!! read more

They are great people and the store has almost everything. They give you one on one help and the prices are fair. read more

If I could leave a zero star I would. Worst customer service experience ever!!!! My family owns a local construction company and we have been loyal customers for years. I am very disappointed that they don't feel local business and customer service are a priority anymore. Also, their prices are 30-40% higher than other vendors, quality of products are below standard. Stuart, the manager, apparently does not value his customers enough to treat them well. Highly disappointed!!! read more