Tuesday, April 10, 2018

How Long Does It Take To Construct A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond?

Homeowners  research many things when deciding to have a contractor construct something for them.  The act of hiring a contractor and inviting them to your property creates lots of questions.  In the last blog I focused on, "What is the process for constructing a backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) pond?"  While that is one of the top questions potential clients have, they will often want to know how long the process will take at their home.  Many factors play into how long it will take for the construction of a Koi pond.  The process from the last blog can be replicated and providing average time-frames is possible, but it is also important to know what can effect those time-frames.




What takes time when constructing a backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) pond?

In order for me to provide some time-frames lets first look at what takes time when constructing an ecosystem pond. This would be from beginning to end.
  1. Initial call or e-mail- The client has decided to contact the contractor and see if they are a good fit for the project.  It will vary between companies, but the response to the initial contact from the contractor should be within 24 hours.  Really good contractors will be less than 2 hours.  Most responses to the initial contact will be a request for information about the project, possibly pictures and a request to set up a phone consultation with one of the sales team members.  The response call is about 15 minutes and it will usually be less than a week until the phone consultation.
  2. Phone Consultation-  A good contractor will want to have a conversation with a client prior to visiting their home.  The first face to face meeting can often be overwhelming to a client, so having a phone consultation prior to that can build a good rapport and save time.  In some cases the client and the contractor just aren't a good fit for what ever reason and realizing that on the phone is much less stressful than in the backyard. Depending on the project the phone consultation can be a 1/2 hour to 1 hour in length.
  3. Site Consultation-  This is often the first face to face interaction with the client and the contractor.  Unfortunately, the most common site consultation happens with no preliminary contact except for the initial call or e-mail requesting work.  Without the phone consultation the site consultation will often become the dreaded sales pitch almost all potential buyers loathe.  With the phone consultation, the contractor will show up prepared to discuss the issues and wants of the client.  Time will be saved by not having to start from scratch and the contractor and client can get right down to the project/budget that was already discussed on the phone.  A signed agreement with a handshake is much more common with both parties being on the same page from the phone consultation.  A much better consultation then not having a clear picture at the start and a surprising a client with a price they didn't expect.  Depending on the project, a site consultation can be 1 to 2 hours long and can be within 1 week from the phone consultation.  A passionate contractor often spends his or her time getting to know the client better at this consultation.      
  4. Site Preparation/Team Meeting-  Depending on the project, the site preparation and the team meeting may be separate.  A larger project will have a down payment at the site consultation, a second down payment a couple weeks prior to the project start date and the last payment at the final walk through.  Smaller pond projects will often have a down payment at the site consultation and last payment at the final walk through.  Site preparation is a meeting for the sales person, contractor's supervisor and client to review the project agreement, layout the  pond project, discuss delivery of materials/supplies (on-site location), access to the site, time frame and any other questions the client may have.  The site preparation meeting is typically completed in less than 1 hour.  The team meeting will either occur the day of or in some cases the day prior to the start date.  It is very similar to the site preparation, but this time it is with the client, supervisor and the contractor's team that will be constructing the backyard pond.  This meeting is typically about a 1/2 hour with the client and then may be followed with the supervisor and team going more in depth.  As I said before, inviting people on to your property can be overwhelming and if a contractor isn't going the extra mile to reduce that feeling, ask yourself why.       
  5. 20 Step Process-  The construction is the meat and potatoes of the backyard pond project.  No matter the size of the Koi pond, the process is duplicated by the contractor to complete the pond project efficiently and correctly.  Many contractors will have a different method that works best for them.  The process that works best for us can be viewed here.  This is the most important part of hiring a contractor and for more information on what the process for constructing a backyard pond, read the blog on it here.  Believe it or not some ecosystem ponds can be constructed in one day while others can take a month.  They really are dependent on the size and accessibility of the pond project.  A smaller 8' x 11' pond that is approximately 2' deep with a waterfall right on the edge will be 1 to 2 day.  A slightly larger 10' x 14' pond that is approximately 2' deep with the waterfall right on the edge will be 2-3 days.  A much larger pond that is 20' x 30' with multiple waterfalls and a custom intake filtration would be 15-16 days.  The length of the process can easily be established on the phone consultation or in some cases a contractor will have it laid out on their website.  (Click Here To See Our Triton Pond Packages)
  6. Final Walk-through- The construction of the backyard pond has been completed, the supervisor has gone over the system and the client has had some time to experience the pond lifestyle.  The final walk through is with the client, sales person and in the case of some contractors the maintenance supervisor.  In this meeting the client and contractor will discuss any new concerns/questions, maintenance options, and how the client feels the contractor did.  The final walk through will take about 1 hour depending on the client.  A tasty pond side beverage provided by the client can certainly extend this meetings length.  
  7. Other- The following are other things that may require some time for the Koi pond
    project. Larger projects may require more meetings to discuss the progress of the project and are usually less than a 1/2 hour.  Deeper backyard ponds within city limits may require permits. Depending on how quickly the local government processes the permits, the build time may be extended.  In this case the time frame can be a week for approval, to months if a special meeting is required for a very detailed project.  Future visits after the final walk through may also be scheduled to check up on the clients comfort level, but also for marketing.  Pictures of a recently completed pond are never as good as a few months to a year later.  These fun visits are usually less than a 1/2 hour, again tasty beverage are always a factor. 

What could effect the time it takes to construct a backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) pond?

If you hear any contractor say that nothing will effect the time frame it will take to construct your Koi pond, RUN for the hills.  Many things can cause the construction of a backyard pond to take longer than planned.  Let's take a look at some of the factors that may steal time away from the project.
  • Mother Nature- This factor is almost self explanatory.  Weather can stop construction for days and in some cases weeks if the site conditions are drastically effected.  A good contractor will understand this and make it a main focus of communication to the client.  
  • Unforeseen Issues-  This is something that could not be seen on the surface and once the digging has begun and typically increases the excavation and clean up of the site.  It can be a very common issue like irrigation lines or something totally shocking like a mastodon skeleton.  Seriously, a couple construction projects have been shut down for finding rare fossils.  Unforeseen issue factors should be discussed both at the initial site consultation and when they are found.  Quality contractors will provide a price for the necessary adjustments to the project and require a signature to move forward.
  • Project Additions/Changes-  Sometimes the client will want to make changes to the original design of a backyard pond or even make additions.  Be sure additions are discussed with the contractor early on if the contractor hasn't already said that they are comfortable with changes being made.  When additions are made, the contractor must provide a change order contract which requires a signature.  The last thing a client wants is a huge financial surprise at the final payment.
  • Supplies-  This can be a sneaky factor effecting time.  Many pond projects are estimated and accepted months in advance and occasionally there is a supply shortage.  For backyard ponds there may be a rock shortage or if foreign products are used the supply may be held up in customs.  Whatever the case is, a good contractor will be open with their communication about this potential issue.  
While these are unfortunate in many cases, as long as your contractor is open and honest, they can be easily managed and the pond project will eventually go on as planned and finished to the clients satisfaction.   

Owning a pond, waterfall or fountain certainly doesn't need to be difficult, so be sure to contact us to see what we can do to educate you and set your mind at ease.  For more educational information be sure to visit www.poseidonponds.com or for more inspiration visit our Facebook page and start following us!


Appreciatively Yours,
Cory Mann
"Poseidon Pond Mann"

   

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