Pond installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pond installation is

Pond installation excavates a basin, sets a liner or preformed shell, installs a pump, filter and edge stones, and fills and balances the water so it stays clear and supports fish or plants. People build a pond for the look and sound of moving water, to attract wildlife, to house fish or aquatic plants, or as a focal point for a yard.

Signs you need it

  • You want a water feature that adds movement, sound and a focal point to the yard
  • You want to keep fish or aquatic plants and need a basin deep and sized for them
  • The yard has a low or wet spot that would make a natural pond site
  • You want to attract birds, frogs or other wildlife with a permanent water source
  • An older pond is leaking, has a failing liner or has become overrun with algae and muck

What the pro does

  • The installer locates buried lines, checks the soil and slope, and marks the basin shape and depth
  • The basin is excavated, with shelves for plants and a deeper area for fish or cold-weather protection
  • A liner or preformed shell is set on a cushion of sand or underlayment, with the edges and rocks placed to hold it
  • The pump, the filter and any waterfall or fountain plumbing are installed, with electrical wiring done to code by a licensed electrician
  • The pond is filled, the water is treated and balanced, the plants are added, and the installer explains the cleaning schedule

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Pond size, depth and shape, and how much excavation is needed
  • Liner or shell type and size, and how it fits the basin
  • Pump and filter sizing for the water volume and the feature
  • Waterfall, stream or fountain features, and the plumbing they require
  • Electrical work for the pump and lights, and whether a licensed electrician is needed
  • Edge stone, boulders and planting shelves that finish the pond
  • Access for excavation equipment, rock removal and delivery of stone and liner

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pond size, depth and shape, with the shelf and deep areas shown
  • The liner or shell type and the cushion or underlayment used
  • The pump, filter and plumbing models, with their flow and sizing
  • The electrical work, who does it and the power source used
  • Edge stone, boulders, planting and any fish or plant stocking included
  • The warranty on the liner and the equipment, and what the customer must maintain

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you size the pump and filter for this pond, and why?
  • What liner or shell do you use, and how do you protect it from punctures?
  • Who does the electrical work, and is it done to local code?
  • How do you plan the drainage and the overflow for heavy rain?
  • What is the water treatment plan, and how do you balance the pond after filling?
  • How do you protect the pond from freezing in winter, if that applies here?
  • What maintenance does the pond need each month, and what do I do if it turns green?

Red flags

  • They set a liner over rocks or roots without a cushion, so it punctures
  • They undersize the pump and filter for the pond and the feature
  • They run the electrical work themselves without a licensed electrician when the code requires one
  • They do not check for buried lines or the water table before digging
  • They cannot explain the cleaning schedule or the water balance

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can build a small, preformed pond with a simple pump they plug into a ground fault protected outlet, following the kit instructions. Call a licensed electrician for any new outdoor circuit, and a licensed contractor for excavation, large liners, or any pond that needs plumbing or a waterfall. Keep electrical cords in conduit, away from water, and never run a cord to the pump across standing water.

Licenses and permits

Pond installation with electrical work is commonly done by a licensed electrician for the wiring, and excavation or large water features are commonly licensed contractor work in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your permit office about any rules that apply to the pond and the wiring.

Pond installation questions

Do I need a permit to build a pond?

Some areas require a permit for a pond, especially a large one or one near a property line or a structure. Check with your local permit office before the work starts, and ask the installer whether they handle it.

Why does my pond turn green?

Algae grows when there is too much sunlight, nutrients or still water. Ask the installer to size the filter and the plants for the pond, and explain how the water balance is kept up through the season.

How deep does a pond need to be?

Depth depends on the goal. Fish and some plants need deeper areas, and a deeper zone helps the pond through cold and hot weather. Ask the installer to set the depth for the life you want in the pond.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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