Ponds are a calming, natural feature for your outside space and help attract wildlife into your garden. Let us help you find professional pond construction companies near you.
How to find pond construction companies near you
Garden ponds come in all shapes and sizes – from small raised ponds to large, excavated swimming ponds.
An experienced pond builder will help guide you through the decision process, resulting in a pond perfectly suited to your needs, and one you’ll enjoy for many years.
Finding a local pond-building company near you is quick and easy with Checkatrade. Only trades who pass our quality checks and meet our high standards are on Checkatrade.
Short on time? No problem. Request a quote and let our members contact you.
Your questions answered about pond construction companies near you
Big or small, a garden pond will create a serene focal point where plants and insects can flourish. Whether you’re looking to add a feature to your garden or plan to keep fish, a pond is a great addition to every space.
What is the price to build a small pond?
If you have a small garden and want a suitably sized garden pond, the costs can vary quite a bit depending on the type of pond you’re going for.
The average cost to build a small pond, based on the supply and installation of a prefabricated pond, can start at around £500.
At that price you’d most likely be expected to have already done the excavation yourself – so get your shovels ready.
To hire a professional to build a small garden pond, including the excavation, you’re looking at an average price of around £1,200 – £3,000.
What is the best depth for a garden pond?
The optimum depth for a garden pond will depend on whether you are planning to keep fish. Without fish, the deepest part of your pond need not be greater than 30cm.
Deep ponds don’t look very different aesthetically from shallower ponds, so appearance isn’t a factor.
If you want to keep fish in your pond, a minimum healthy depth is around 46cm (18 inches). This depth works for smaller fish, but for a successful koi pond, or pond with larger fish, you’ll need a pond depth of 90cm (3ft).
A pond that is too shallow is at risk of sudden extreme temperature fluctuations – too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. This could negatively impact fish health and cause rapid algae blooms in the summer.
For a healthy and balanced garden pond, build in gently sloping shelves around the edge. Typically between 15 and 30cm deep, these shallow steps will encourage plant growth, vegetation and wildlife.
The deepest area of the pond should be at least 40% of the pond area. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to seek advice from local fish pond builders near you.
Should a pond be in the shade or sun?
Generally, a sunny spot is the best place to build a pond. You can, however, site a pond in an area that is in shade for part of the day, or sits in dappled shade.
This can help reduce problems with algae and suits many pond plants and animals.
It’s not advisable to put a pond in a very shady area, as it will become stagnant – the plants that supply oxygen to the water will need some sunlight.
Ponds sitting directly beneath trees often end up collecting leaves and debris, which means more maintenance.
Also, decide how wide and deep you want your pond to be and where you will locate a filtration system, fountain or any other features you intend to add.
Get in touch with pond builders near you who can advise on location, size and maintenance issues.
Can I use concrete instead of a pond liner?
A concrete pond is a more permanent fixture than a liner pond. However, concrete is more expensive than using a pond liner and you’ll still likely need a membrane underneath to trap water.
Let’s look at the differences.
Concrete
- Creates smooth flowing walls leading from the top to the bottom drain – making the bottom easier to clean
- Strong and durable surface but can crack easily due to soil movement underneath
- More costly to build
- Concrete is a porous material so over time water will seep out of the pond or into it, depending on soil conditions and the thickness of the concrete layer
- Not safe for fish in its freshly cured state. You’ll need to fill and drain a concrete-lined pond at least three to four times to get rid of damaging residues before fish are added
- To prevent porosity and cracks, you should start with a layer of flexible pond liner first
Rubber liner
- Not as permanent as concrete but if the pond has some design flaws or you need to remove the pond, a rubber liner is much easier to work with
- Less expensive to build and maintains a more neutral ph
- Creates a very soft surface for fish
- Even when a liner pond is installed properly there will be minor folds in the liner surface – however, once the pond is filled with water these are barely visible
- Installed properly a liner pond can be leak-free for many years
- Most DIY pond builders choose a liner pond over a concrete pond
What time of year should I build a pond?
You can build a pond at any time during the year, but if you start in autumn or late winter, even early spring, it will get established much quicker.
Your pond will have time to settle in before the breeding season starts for many wildlife species.
If have advanced DIY skills and want to give building a pond a go, check out our blog here. Building large ponds and swimming ponds will be more challenging.
For a professional finish, we always recommend leaving it to the experts. So enter your postcode below and connect with local pond builders near you.
Do I need permission to build a pond in my garden?
Garden ponds do not usually require planning permission – and generally fall under permitted development rights. However, it is worth checking with your local authority.
As long as your pond is for the enjoyment of the property and doesn’t impact the local environment, permitted development rights allow for the creation of small ponds without formal consent.
Your pond must also meet the following criteria:
- The pond must be no more than 20 sq m in area
- The pond must be located at least 5m from buildings or boundaries
- The pond must not be deeper than 1m at its deepest
If you are planning a large pond, you may need to apply for planning permission through the local council.
Likewise, if you want to build a pond at the front of your house, this may require consent from your local authority. Some councils will class it under the permitted development rights but others will consider it a change to the visual aspect of your home.
How long does it take to build a small pond?
It usually takes a professional pond builder about five days to build a small garden pond measuring around 8 x 11 feet. A three-man team can complete the job in about two days.
Of course, several factors will affect any pond building, however big or small. These include weather conditions, the complexity of the project, any digging obstacles and if you want any upgrades.
It’s a good idea to contact small pond builders near you for help with costs, timelines, design and maintenance.
Do you need a pump for a pond?
If you’re building a fish pond, then you should always fit a pump. It’s beneficial for circulating the water, moving it to a filter and keeping the pond healthy and fresh. The best idea is to seek advice from fish pond builders near you.
Wildlife ponds don’t need a pump as wildlife such as frogs prefer a bog-like habitat.
There are many different types of pond pumps available, so get in touch with local pond construction companies who can offer more advice.
How do I find pond construction companies near me?
Your pond will become a focal point in your garden, so you want the design and installation just right – whether it’s a small or large pond, swimming pond or fish pond.
Here’s how to find the best pond construction companies in your area.
1. Use a professional directory
Using a professional directory (such as Checkatrade!) removes the guesswork of finding quality tradespeople.
- You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade. On average our trades score 9 out of 10 on everything from workmanship and reliability to tidiness
- We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
2. Read online reviews
Online reviews are incredibly helpful to get a gauge of a tradesperson’s work and reputation before you sign on the dotted line.
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
3. Ask for recommendations
Finally, garden ponds are popular features, so no doubt some of your friends, family, or neighbours have one.
Ask around and see if anyone can recommend a good pond builder near you. Just be sure to check those recommendations on Checkatrade!
Ready to get started? Enter your postcode below to find a list of approved pond construction companies in your area: