Who Do I Hire to Build a Pond on My Land?

A backyard pond is more than just a stand-out landscaping feature. Ponds can help support your local ecosystem, providing food for certain types of birds and creating a home for beneficial predators like dragonflies and damselflies. That said, this isn’t always the simplest DIY, so you may want to bring in a pro. This guide will show you who to hire to create a pond on your land.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Pond Builder 

A local pond builder specializes in water feature installation. Whether you want to raise a few fish in a little pond or want a sprawling oasis with waterfalls and fountains, a pond builder or local water feature installer can help. Some of the benefits of hiring a pro pond builder include:

• Expertise: Pond installation requires a very specific set of knowledge and skills. For example, koi ponds require unique maintenance and have size restrictions and filtration requirements. Your pond builder will know how to build a pond that works best in your yard.

• Problem-solving: You can run into issues if you install a pond in an area that collects too much runoff or has too steep of a slope. Your contractor will know when to regrade your yard (change the slope) or install a drainage system. They can solve any unexpected issues that arise. 

• Cohesive vision: Your pond contractor won’t be short on unique koi pond ideas or waterfall designs. They’ll know how to create a pond that seamlessly integrates into your backyard and suits the aesthetics of your home.

• Warranty: Pond contractors often offer a warranty on their work, so if something does go wrong, you’re covered.

• Maintenance: Pond and fountain maintenance is a large undertaking. Many pond contractors offer maintenance services, so you don’t have to worry about taking care of your pond. 

Can I Build a Pond Myself?

The cost to build a pond ranges from $1,200 to $5,600 if you hire a pro. You can cut that price in half by doing the job yourself, but that doesn’t mean you should. Installing a pond requires significant labor and expertise. You’ll need to excavate (you may even need to use an excavator, depending on the size of your pond) and know how to properly install a liner, filtration, and water features or fountains, among other things.

It’s better to hire a local water feature contractor or a company that specializes in ponds, but if you really want to build a pond yourself, choose a small DIY pond with a basic design.

Can I Hire a Landscaping Contractor?

Photo: Don Masten II / Adobe Stock

You can hire a landscaping contractor to create a pond on your land, but make sure they have experience. This is not a basic landscaping project like planting flowers, making mulch for your yard, or laying down sod. This project requires specialized knowledge, and not all landscapers are up to the task.

Ideally, you should hire a pond and water feature specialist, but a local landscaping company may have a specialist on staff. Ask for pictures of past projects and check reviews and references to get a feel for their expertise. 

How Does a Pond Contractor Create a Pond in a Backyard? 

Once you hire a pond contractor, they’ll survey the land. You need to build a pond in the correct spot or it could have a low water level, flood, or fall apart. They’ll also need to check for hazards (you shouldn’t build a pond near power lines), consider the slope (you shouldn’t build ponds up slope from homes because of the risk of flooding), test the soil, and choose a water source. Some ponds are filled from groundwater, and others are filled from overhead.

From there, your contractor can design the pond and begin construction. During construction, your contractor will:

1. Clear the land

2. Excavate to create the shape of your pond

3. Compact the soil 

4. Add a liner

5. Build a barrier to hold back water, if necessary

6. Install drainage or create a drainage area

7. Install additional water features, pumps, filtration, and piping

8. Fill out the rest of the landscaping (like adding stones, sand, and aquatic plants)

9. Fill the pond with water (or wait for it to fill on its own, if using groundwater)

You may need to wait a while before adding fish to your pond, but your pond pro will let you know the details on that.