Over the last couple of years I had contacted professional landscapers and pond builders to determine the cost of building a naturalized pond. I was shocked with bids that were 15,ooo+ for a little pond 10x12x3. Upon realizing I need to feed my family first I decided I would build the pond myself saving me all the labor costs. I would also have to scale back some of my ideas of using large rocks since I can not lift a couple of tons.
I knew I liked a mix of formal and natural ponds. I read about the products needed to create that perfect low maintenance pond from the experts who had done this before me. I drew out my plan complete with details about placement of skimmers, pumps, pipes, valves, waterfalls, and jets. I researched each piece of the system and came up with a figure how much it would cost and was pleasantly surprised I could build it myself for about $2500 which included a nice pump and bead filter.
During the summer a local pond supply store was having a clearance sale. I picked up a skimmer box which was far larger capacity than my pond would need. I spent $200 but was quite pleased with myself knowing this skimmer would suck up all the pesky leaves from the bradford pear trees which overhang the area. Unfortunately the rest of the supply store sale was geared to the 200 gallon pond or massive ponds.
I picked up a 20×20 EPDM liner from a fellow on craigslist for $150 about 25% -30% off what I would have paid locally. My goal was to build a 10x10x4 foot pond so this was just the right size.
I scoured the internet to find a good deal on the pump I had convinced myself I just had to have. A two speed Performance Pro that circulates from 3000-10000 gallons per hour. <a href=”http:adamsaquatics.com”>adamsaquatics.com</a> had the best price and free shipping and no sales tax. Another $700, but I saved nearly $200 over other local sources.
Tally so far with not the first shovel of dirt overturned ($1050). Just need a little pvc piping and some tools so I am right on budget.
[Buzzer sound] Wrong! – I needed bulk heads, jets, knife valves, unions, elbows, flex pipe, bottom drains, check valves, wyes, connectors, reducers, and a few other odds and ends. Many of the specialty items were $30-$50 each. Unions are $8 each and I used 8 of them. Costs at the local builder supply are about 30%-50% more than what you see on the internet, so if you have the time, order online.
Then came the time to dig the hole. I got down about 1 foot and realized I live on top of a stone mountain. The shale and hardend clay required the rental of a jack hammer for several weekends adding an unsuspected $500 to the tally. And since I could not dig to the desired depth of 4 feet, I decided to raise the pond 10 inches above the ground using pressure treated 2x10s to make a 12 inch wide raised box around the pond. So a couple of hundred dollars in wood and screws were added to the expenses. The rocks and hard ground also shaped my pond to 8×9 with a two foot deep plant shelf at one end with an average depth of 3 feet. My ideal 3000 gallon pond is now a mere 1600 gallons (or less).
I forgot to add in the price of rocks for my waterfall and borders. + $450 including mortar and some black foam.
I decided to build an upper level bog rather than purchase a bead filter. The bead filters I wanted run about $800-$1000. The cost of the lumber, liner, and gravel came in around $300 for this addition. The bog is 5’x4′ and 2 feet deep. I am hoping this will replace the need for the bead filter once everything is running. I just learned about a prefilter which runs about $300 but will remove items larger than 30Microns.
So far my costs have totaled about $3300. I still haven’t seriously looked at pricing of plants yet, but that will be around $500 which can wait until spring.
UPDATE 1 year later: I learned too much from people who built ponds in the 1980s vs those who built ponds in the 2000s. I hope you will do more homework than I did and build a more adequate pond.
