You don’t need a big backyard or deep pockets to enjoy a lush garden pond filled with water lilies, fish and green slime-eating bacteria. But a well-made pond requires rubbery liner, powerful pumps and effective filters—and a commitment to maintain them. A pond also needs proper drainage and lighting, and some sort of cover to keep debris out.

An ideal pond builder near me gets morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon, which keeps the water cooler and discourages algae blooms. But don’t place it directly under a tree, because the branches will quickly clog the water with leaves, seeds or needles. A pond that’s out of sight can easily go unnoticed and be neglected, so choose one near a patio or deck.

Customer Stories: Success Stories and Testimonials from The Pond Builders’ Clients

A good pond contractor will inspect your land to ensure it’s suitable for digging an earth pond. They’ll assess the soil hydrology and provide a geotechnical soil report that costs $1,000 to $5,000 on average. This determines whether a clay liner is required or the pond location should be moved to a more suitable area.

They’ll clear the site of trees, bushes, rocks and debris, then mark out the pond shape and filter, pump and feature locations with landscaping spray paint or string. They’ll rent a mini-excavator or backhoe for heavy dirt work and use a bulldozer to create an embankment if the land is sloped. They’ll also install a fence if necessary and pull any required permits. They may also add a skimmer and underlayment to extend the liner’s life and make cleaning easy.