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  • Results 1 to 12 of 12

    Thread: Well, that was a bucket of cold water on my plans.

    1. #1
      JohnK87's Avatar
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      Well, that was a bucket of cold water on my plans.

      I had a local pond builder come over to look at the site and give me an estimate. After showing him the locations I was considering and the one I preferred, he suggested a spot that would be easier on construction but farthest from the house and out of sight- not what I want.

      So, I asked him for a quote broken down to include things that I might decide to do myself- excavation, wall/footer construction, equipment, spray sealing.

      It only came out to be about four times more than my budget. So I figured, "well, I'll just do it myself" and then I reinjured my knee and am looking at a likely third surgery on it this spring

      I think I have to recalibrate my plans to reflect financial realities, after all, I'm not a Congressman.

      I will be shifting to a liner pond, with landscape timber walls above ground and a dugout hole below. I'll keep the bottom drain, though.

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    2. #2
      HiddenLeaf03 is offline Senior Member
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      Sorry to hear about the bad new's. I hope everything goes well and a speedy recovery.

      yea too bad we didn't get paid like congressmans,hahaha

    3. #3
      Zac Penn is offline Supporting Member
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      Give us some more details about your future pond and we can help you figure it out. Pictures of the area will also help. I am sure a pond is possible where you want it but I can't tell without the pics

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    4. #4
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      Sorry to hear about your knee. For me the only thing holding me back is money, and my husband reminds me of this daily. It still can be done, just not as quickly as you might like, but don't sacrifice what you really want, you will regret it in the end. My pond might take me 3 years to complete, and I will be doing all the labor myself, but I will get my pond someday and if you keep at it, so will you.

      Cheryl

    5. #5
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      I'm going to get some additional estimates on the excavation and foundation, which are the parts I really need help with. I can do dry block on my own and fill it. I'm going to pull some strings with my nephew and some neighborhood people who might like a cash job one weekend. Once the hole is dug, the rest is manageable with time I think.

      I was figuring something like $4k and the estimate was $12k. Yikes. Original pond idea thread is https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...013-Pond-Build

      It's not done yet, but I've got $1k into stuff already (getting the quarantine tank up and running while building the new pond) and want to keep under $2k more.

    6. #6
      benr7132 is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by JohnK87 View Post
      I'm going to get some additional estimates on the excavation and foundation, which are the parts I really need help with. I can do dry block on my own and fill it. I'm going to pull some strings with my nephew and some neighborhood people who might like a cash job one weekend. Once the hole is dug, the rest is manageable with time I think.

      I was figuring something like $4k and the estimate was $12k. Yikes. Original pond idea thread is https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...013-Pond-Build

      It's not done yet, but I've got $1k into stuff already (getting the quarantine tank up and running while building the new pond) and want to keep under $2k more.
      Doing the work yourself, and doing all filtration DIY, that budget should be reasonable. I probably spent more, but not that much more, and if I had not make the mistakes I did - I would have spent less. Do your research, take your time, and don't get de-motivated!

    7. #7
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      I understand a contractor offering suggestions, but talking an owner out of what they want for something like a pond, which is purely for enjoyment, doesn't strike me as very bight. Bid should have been for the pond you wanted imo. If the bid is too high then yeah, discuss options. Or ask what the budget is for the pond and present a pond that would fit that.

    8. #8
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      Sounds like your on the right track. Most swimming pool and Landscape contractors don'y know a thing about Koi ponds and will try to steer you wrong. By doing everything your self you know it will be done right.
      Start with getting the hole dug and footing poured like you said. Then if your mechanical enough to do the block work plumbing and filtration would be easy for you, and you can do all DIY filters which will save you a lot of money and work just as good as store bought or better.
      If your doing a formal, rectangle pond think about using a custom made drop in liner. No folds, fits like a glove.

    9. #9
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      If you can get the excavation done, the actual pond and filter construction is much less labor intensive...speaking form a hand dug perspective which I did. I did dry stacking with a liner and think it's a great option. Wife and i stacked 300 block in 2 days. The pond in my sig line cost $5k, 4 years ago...self built with a blend of commercial and DIY filtration. I had a pump,bead filter amd bio media already but did splurge on several items...Cetus Sieve, dropin liner and exterior stone veneer. So 5k for a decent sized DIY is achievable.
      MN Mike

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      My Pond Construction
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    10. #10
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      Put an ad on craigs list "free fill dirt~ you dig"
      It worked for me for one of my ponds!


      Jessie
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    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by birdman View Post
      By doing everything your self you know it will be done right.
      Maybe for you. But for me at least I know who to blame. That saves a lot of time and effort.

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by Just Jessie View Post
      Put an ad on craigs list "free fill dirt~ you dig"
      It worked for me for one of my ponds!
      Did you post your picture in the ad? I'm thinking I might get fewer takers.

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