Installing a garden pond can add the wow factor to your garden. Water features and ponds are very relaxing and enjoyable to watch.
They are also a great way to attract wildlife into your garden. You’ll get frogs, toads, and insects, as well as birds who’ll come to drink.
You’ll learn about plant and pond maintenance and even how to look after fish if you want them.
If you want to install a pond or water feature, we’ll tell you the estimated costs, what work goes into installing a pond and the best way to find someone to fit your pond.
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How Much Does a Pond or Water Feature Cost?
| Type of Pond | Supply and Fit Pond, Pump and Filter (plus excavation for an in-ground pond) Costs | Supply Cost for Pond, Filter, and Pump | Time Required | Labour Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Raised Timber Pond | £150-£290 | £375-£450 | Less than half a day | £150-£250 per day |
| Medium Raised Timber Pond | £300-£500 | £550-£725 | Half to one day | £150-£250 per day |
| Large Raised Timber Pond | £550-£4,000 | £825-£1,000 | One to two days | £150-£250 per day |
| Small In-Ground Plastic Pond | £1,200-£1,700 | £375-£450 | One to two days | £150-£250 per day |
| Medium In-Ground Plastic Pond | £3,500-£5,000 | £550-£725 | Three to five days | £150-£250 per day |
| Large In-Ground Plastic Pond | £7,000-£8500 but can go up to more than £20,000 | £825-£1,000 | Six to ten days | £150-£250 per day |
| Bespoke Pond | £6,000-£30,000 | £375-£1,000 | Three to 14+ days | £150-£250 per day |
As you can see, the price depends on how much you want to do yourself or whether you buy the equipment new or second hand.
Raised timber kits are cheaper than in-ground ponds, and of course, with a kit, there is less labour too.
To get fast accurate quotes from reliable local tradesmen use HouseholdQuotes. Fill in the form and tell us what you need.
Local tradesmen will get in touch with you to arrange no-obligation quotes for your pond or water feature.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Building a Pond or Adding a Water Feature?
Many different factors will impact the final cost of building a pond or adding a water feature to your home.
Size
The size of a pond will affect pricing. A small pond won’t take as long to prepare and excavate as a larger pond.
Design
Design is important when you are creating a budget. It involves more skill and building for a pond with a bespoke design, which could also take longer to design and excavate.
A simple plastic pond is much easier to instal.
Waste
Another addition to a pond’s cost is the time it takes to get rid of any waste. If the pond is in the back garden and the skip is in your front-drive, it’s going to add extra time to the quotation.
Whether you add water features (Fountains or waterfalls or similar)
A simple fountain can cost as little as £40. If you then add a water feature to the garden prices costs are going to rise.
Prices start at around £40 but you can pay £500 or more depending on the type of water feature you’ve chosen.
Accessories
If you’re having your pond installed by a professional the only accessories you’ll need could be pond gloves and ornaments. These things can cost you less than £25.
Pond Liners
A small pond liner will cost around £20. A large, four-metre liner will be between £50 and £60.
Pumps
A pump costs between £125 and £300 to buy.
A small pump costs between 4p and 27p a day to run.
A powerful pump will cost between 89p and £4 a day.
You can get solar-powered pumps which will save you electricity. They are useful for small ponds in sunny areas.
Filters
Pond filters start at around £100 and go up to about £175.
Plants
You can spend what you like on plants. Most small ponds require about 15 oxygenating plants.
You can get them for around £2 each. You can buy water lilies for about £16 each.
Fish and Fish Care Products
Like plants, you can either spend a lot on putting fish in your pond or very little. For example, Koi carp can cost between £16 and £100 each but you can buy a Goldfish for under £1.
Fish food and care products again depend on the type of fish you have in the pond. Basic fish food starts at about £3 for 180 grams. Koi fish food can cost around £19 for six kilos.
Aerators or Pond Heaters
If you want to keep fish that need warm water, you’ll also have to invest in an aerator or pond heater. You can pay between £45 and £200 for a new one.
Landscaping Around the Pond
If the person putting in the pond doesn’t include this in the quotation, you should consider asking a gardener to come and do it for you. A gardener will cost between £14 and £25 per hour.
If you need quotes, let HouseholdQuotes do the work for you by finding local gardeners to supply quotes for landscaping around the pond.
Click To Get QuotesIs There a Way of Saving Money on a Pond or Water Feature?
Yes!
If you excavate and remove the waste yourself. If the excavation isn’t included in the quote, it will be cheaper.
You can also supply your own plastic pond and water features. You’ll save money if you buy them second hand. Have a look at websites like Gumtree or Preloved for a local seller. Or try eBay or For Sale.com.
A local pond fitter will be able to do the work and offer you advice on pond maintenance.
If you want to find a pond fitter in your area use HouseholdQuotes to get no-obligation quotes from reliable tradesmen.
Click To Get QuotesHow Do You Build a Pond?
Plan where you want it. First of all, decide where you want the pond to go in your garden. Think about how you will get an excavator into the garden if you need one. Also, consider the location of any trees.
Excavate the land and dispose of any waste.
If you can get a mini excavator into your garden, it will speed up the process. If not, then it’s just you and a spade, or all hands to the deck with friends and family.
Build the shelves for pond plants. Shelving around the edge of the pond allows you to place plants around the pond for oxygenation and decoration.
Place the plastic pond in the hole or line it with liner and underlay.
Make sure there are no sharp stones or twigs on the ground so that the pool plastic doesn’t get damaged.
Install the pump and the filter. Installing the pump and filter should be included in any quotations you’ve received unless you are planning to make savings by doing the work yourself.
Fill the pond. The best water to fill in a pond is rainwater, but you can also use tap water.
If you fill your pond from the tap, leave it for one or two weeks before you add your plants.
Add the plants. If you want to attract wildlife then plant around the edge of the pond.
Do some research to see what type of plants you should use. The plants in the pond oxygenate the water and supply food to your fish and wildlife.
Add fish. You need to be careful when you add fish to a new pond. Only add a few at a time and wait a week or two.
If you’re building a timber pond with a kit, then it will come flat-packed. You’ll need to construct it yourself or to get someone else to do it for you.
A raised timber pond is ideal if you have children or a family member in a wheelchair.
It also saves you from excavating the garden. You can buy kits at various heights and widths.
You will need to make sure the location of the pond is free from sharp stones. It should also be completely flat.
Most kits come with a pre-installed liner. Once it is constructed, all you need to do is fill it with water and then add plants and fish at the appropriate time.
How Do I Find Someone to Install a Pond or Water Feature?
If you want to excavate your garden, you might need a small excavator. You can hire one if you’re going to do the job yourself. If a professional is coming to fit the pond, they will organise the excavator and the pond fitting.
If you are good a DIY you could ask friends and family to help you do the job.
If you want a professional, find one by filling in the details on HouseholdQuotes. We have a trusted network of tradesmen to contact. We’ll get local pond fitters to come and give you no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
Use the list of questions below to make sure the professional you’re hoping to hire is the right fit for you:
- What do they include in the quote?
- Do they have a website? A tradesman doesn’t need to have a website, but if they do, take a look and read about ponds fitted by them in the past. See if they have any testimonials from previous customers. If they don’t have a website, they might have references from past jobs. If there’s someone local to you that’s had a pond installed, the pond fitter may be able to arrange a viewing for you.
- Do they have insurance? Make sure anyone working on your premises has appropriate insurance. If they can’t show you or make excuses, then don’t use them.
- Who will take the rubbish away? If it would be difficult for you to get rid of any waste from the pond excavation, ask the pond fitter to include it in the quotation.
Final Checklist
Whether you are doing some things yourself or getting a pond fitter to do the job, these are the things that need doing:
- Outline the shape of the pond
- Excavate the hole
- Make up your plant shelves
- Install your plastic pond or pool liner with underlay
- Add a pump or filter
- Fill the pond
- Add plants after one to two weeks
A pond is a beautiful feature to add to your garden. It will attract wildlife and create a relaxing space for you to sit on sunny days.
If you need a pond fitter, go to HouseholdQuotes and fill in the information about where you live and what you need.
We then use our network of trusted suppliers to send local pond fitters to your home to give you no-obligation quotes. Pick the one you like best and make the arrangements to get started.
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Pond?
If they give you the okay to build a pond without permission, ask them to confirm it in an email.
What Is the Best Time of Year for Building a Pond?
If you choose to install a pond in the Autumn, wait until Spring to put in your plants to avoid frost.
What’s the Best Location for a Pond?
Plus, tree roots might disturb the pond liner.
And don’t forget, if you need quotes for a pond fitter to do the job, then HouseholdQuotes can help you. We have trusted traders who will give you no-obligation quotes for pond fitting.
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