@larrywal - congrats on the new house. Stay on top of your builder 
If you are able to observe the irrigation install, make sure they set your zones up correctly. Eg. Multiple grass only zones, drip zones for trees/large shrubs, drip zones for annuals/small flowers.
Also, check for head-to-head coverage in your spray/rotor zones.
I’m in the same boat on the underground install. Still waiting on my flow meter but I plan on trying the same setup. No reason the radio wouldn’t work through a plastic project box if the controller is 50-60ft away but I won’t know for sure until I try it.
Good luck!