How do you guys bid pond installs?

[syzer]

I was looking into offering this service as a specialty because I dont know of anyone in the area who does. How would you price for something like this? I had planned on using all aquascape kits and have to find a hook up on the stone.

Any suggestions, ideas or comments?

[dan deutekom]

Pricing ponds and water features is difficult. Experience is the best teacher. One thing is to estimate the material used and the next thing is the time to install. Over estimate your time by a lot. I have found that when you deal with moving water it can take a lot longer than you estimated to get it moving the way and where you want it to espeacially if you use natural stone. It is the detail work that takes a lot of time not the initial construction,

[aquascape]

One suggestion for your first pond: If possible put one in at your house or a very good customer's house. This will allow you to play around a little and you'll have more understanding while fixing some of the mistakes that may pop up. It will also allow you to get a real good idea of how long it will take you to install before you start estimating for other customers.

Conor

[curlawngreen]

Ponds seem to be VERY expensive to me.It seems to be around $30-45 per square foot. Would this be in line with others are seeing?

[AllSeasonsAllReasons]

I to am looking into offering this service! Guess what mom is getting for a late mothers day present!! You got it a pond! That way i can take as much time as i need and really get the idea of it!! And she loves the idea so we both make out on the deal!!

[cclllc]

Same here.I 'm installing a 16x 11 myself at my home now.Let me know how it turns out.

[CCLC]

As has been said experience is one of the best ways to see what it takes to do the pond. Aquascapes has formulas for calculating the amount of each type of rocks needed. It is in one of their books. I don't recall which one. Our ponds start around $3000. From there they go up. It all depends on the landscape they want around it and the type of water fall and stream combination the customer wants. These are not your Home Depot tub ponds. We make this very clear to the customer before we get too involved in the design stage. I hate to put 4 or 5 hours into meeting with a customer and doing a design only to hear "You've got to be kidding. That is going to cost how much???"

[Comet]

Hello CCLC
Your starting price of $3000.00 for the pond etc.
What size possibly would that refer to, concidering there are 14 kits they have available besides the custom?
Would it be the 4' x 8' ? there smallest one?
-----
Can you see a $4000-$4500 total figure installing a 8' x 11'with actually no landscape planting this year other then some perimeter plants , but yet having a completed rock water fall?,(small scale)

(Myself and 2 workers) available at present
curious here because I just convinced a couple to go with an aquascape pond over a plastic tub etc.
There property in rear is not huge but elabratly landscaped, 50'x75'

Pond size of an 8 x 11 or 11 x 11 may be the choice to make.

They will budget them selfs and have the planting done later on.
thanks for any feedback

[powerreel]

On installs I do the maintenance forever. I only work where I want and it's spendy, first planting with install is in the bid. Second planting to enhance the install pays real well and you can play with the plants and the people love it. Never had good luck with fish because they get eaten by eagles or racoons.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1472735&a=12677312&p=51226991

Have a great day....:)

[Alan]

I may end up doing my first pond. Got a customer who mentioned wanting one but thought it would be way beyond their budget. So, I offered to do one for the cost of materials. Told them right up front that I had never done one and was eager to try. Seems like a win/win here, I get the experience with no real cost, and they get a pond on the cheap. How many of the rest of you would take this opportunity?

[cclllc]

I plan to attend a build a pond seminar soon.

[G.Williams]

My honest opinion.
Sight unseen.

11 X 16' pond (no stream) $+/-6000

16 X 21' pond (no stream) $=/-7500-8000

[Mowman]

Would it be safe to say twice the cost of the kit and other materials needed? ie: cost of kit $900.00. Price it at $1800.00 + cost of stone used?
Thanks,
Mowman

[SCL]

Get some of Aquascapes books like their quarterly periodicals. Don't bother with the videos, they're pricey and suck. The periodicals list what some guys are charging and it sounds like you're way too cheap. I don't build them for that! You might also try pond supplies of america.[www.pondsupplies.com/]

[Acute Cut]

I think G. Williams is on the right road here. I have not built one myself yet, but have been to two classes and talked to alot of people about it. It seems that on average most contractors charge 6K to 7600$ for an 11 X 16 pond with a small two foot fall.

[BSDeality]

I know a business man that does the "just double everything" price scheme. he is always either leaving money on the table on easy jobs or losing his shirt and not realizing it. I expect to be servicing all his accounts in another year or two when he goes out of business.

you have to know your costs, the time its going to take and then build in your desired profit.