When Can You Start Constructing My Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond?

So you know what the process for constructing a backyard pond is. You know how long the construction of a backyard pond is and you also know what kind of mess there is when constructing a backyard pond.  So what is left?  Well, once a client has reached this point the next question they will often ask is, "when can you start?"

The answer to this question will obviously vary from location to location, but for the purpose of this blog let's focus on the Midwest in particular.

The Construction Season

Once winter has passed and the spring season has begun the weather can be very touch an go when it comes to available construction days.  In the Midwest, Michigan in particular, has an average frost depth of 42 inches.  As the frost is thawing it will typically render most yards unworkable. It will vary from year to year, but the generally a construction project that is started to early generates much more of a mess and will often carry a higher clean up charge than a project started after the frost has left the ground.

During the thaw the Midwest will also see quite a bit of rain to add to the saturated soils.  For this reason you will see many Koi pond construction companies focus on pond maintenance and cleaning from mid-March to mid-May.  As they complete the pond cleanings and openings the pond construction season will begin in early to mid-May in the Midwest.

First Come First Serve

There are many different ways that contractors will get clients that are ready to enter a contract scheduled.  A very common way that pond contractors will schedule clients is, first come first serve like many businesses in the service industry.  Typically pond contractors are scheduling backyard pond projects as they are coming in.  Spring and Fall will often be the busiest flow of new business for Midwest pond contractors.  The Summer months will be ups and down as many Midwestern families are on vacation and not thinking about their yards as much.  The Winter is by far the slowest time of the year for a Midwest pond contractor, but a great time for the potential client to have their full attention.  While it is common for pond contractors to have an open calendar come Spring, many of the highly desired pond contractors will not.  If you are close to living the pond lifestyle and know that a company has lots of high ratings and great reviews reach out to them in the Fall or Winter to get on their Spring calendar. 

Down Payment

A first come first serve contractor will often require some sort of monetary commitment from a client that would like to reserve a spot on their calendar.  While the down payment will vary from company to company it would be good to expect a range of 10 to 50 percent of the total project to be the requested down payment.  A 10 to 30 percent down payment is fairly common with pond projects $10,000 or more, while a 30 to 50% down payment is more common with a pond project below $10,000.  A good pond contractor will have a detailed description of their payment options available upon request, have a tentative date for the pond project and give frequent updates on the calendar changes from weather or other contractor related issues.

Business image created by Pressfoto - Freepik.com

Calendar

With the construction season typically ranging from May thru October in the Midwest it is important to discuss how the contractor handles the scheduling calendar.  It is not uncommon to find landscape an even some pond contractors that are determined to fit in as much work as possible while the weather is good.  A contractor like this will generally work long days and long weeks to make their calendar work.  Contractors based on total volume of projects completed can be very effective and efficient, but are also one lost worker or one lost piece of equipment away from a catastrophe. Before you finalize your agreement to have a Koi pond constructed at your home talk with the contractor and see how they schedule work.  A great contractor will tell you they have so many man hours available per week and that they schedule their projects based on those numbers.  This same contractor will often spread projects out and not overlap them in case there is an unforeseen issue or addition to the ecosystem pond construction.  Instead of the call about pushing the pond project back a client will often get a request to move the backyard pond project up on the calendar.

It can certainly be challenging for a client to get their backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond construction started depending on the contractor that they choose.  That great contractor will put the clients mind at ease with great consistent communication even if the construction is months or weeks away.

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"

What Kind Of Mess Is Made During A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond Construction?

When any potential client begins the process of seeking out a contractor to hire for their project they will always be thinking about the mess that will be created during the construction, whether they say it or not. Builders and roofers will have lots of waste material, plumbers will likely have a watery mess, painters will have spills and landscapers will cause lawn damage of some sort. All contractors will generate some sort of a mess, so why is it such a big deal?

Any homeowner would be able to tell you that their home is their sanctuary, the place they feel the most comfortable and safe. The act of inviting a contractor into their home is stressful and the fear of a big mess makes matters worse. All too many times I have heard stories from clients that talked about other contractors and how great their work was, but they would never work with them again because they trashed their home and didn't clean up after themselves. If you are looking for a contractor to do work in or on your property, don't be shy, ask them what they plan to do with the mess generated. There are many messes in the contractor world, but since I am in the landscaping industry I will focus on the mess generated by a landscape project, specifically the pond construction mess.

You are currently reading the third part of my series on backyard pond construction, click the links below to catch up on the first two blogs:

-What is the construction process for a backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond?

-How long does it take to construct a backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond?

What causes a mess during backyard pond construction?

This topic seems self explanatory I am sure, but to have a deeper look at what causes the mess can help reduce the anxiety a client may have about the project. A contractor's goal should focus on the needs of the client and painting a clear picture of what to expect can do just that, so let's look at what might cause a mess during an ecosystem pond build.

Site Prepartation

Site Preparation- Before the actual pond construction can begin the site needs to be cleared/prepped. This process can be the removal of sod, the removal of landscape plants, the removal of mulch, the removal of a deck or patio, etc. Whatever the case the area designated for the new koi pond needs to be prepped and that generates a mess. The removed debris will then need to be either staged on site for removal or removed right away. To remove the debris wheelbarrows or machines are often used. The machines are typically the main contributor to generating a mess by creating ruts in the lawn or dropping small amount of debris from the site to to staging area.

Pond Construction- The site is prepped and now the backyard pond construction begins. The excavation of soil can produce soil clumps, tree roots, rock and other buried materials. The soil is often used within the site for waterfalls or streams, but excess soil will be transported and staged with 

Pond Construction

the prep waste. All other debris is also added to the site prep waste, typically with a machine. During the Koi pond construction other debris will e generated from installing the liner, underlayment, plumbing and equipment. While some of the debris can be recycled, some is destined for the landfill and adds to the staged waste. 

Material Delivery

Material Delivery- With most ecosystem pond builds rocks of varying sizes, soils and even mulch are used for the finished product. The materials needed are often delivered by supporting vendors and are typically not the same location as the pond. The material delivery will either be on the driveway or next to the driveway. This process will either make the driveway dirty or create another area that will need to be repaired. 

Material Transport

Material Transport- This is really part of the site preparation and construction, but it is important to separate it for educational purposes. The transport of materials from the construction site to the the staging area typically generates the biggest mess. Machines moving the materials will create ruts, compress soils and even drop material from time to time. The mess generated is connected directly to the size of the project/amount of materials and the distance from the staging area to the backyard pond construction site.

For all of the above processes there is one major catalyst on the size and scope of the mess generated, and that is simply the WEATHER. Good weather will allow the contractor to finish the construction with minimal damage while bad weather can greatly expand a mess if not reviewed. Pushing through to complete a project after lots of rain can create a significant amount of material transport damage. I have reviewed what causes a mess, so what are some things that can prevent the mess.

What can be done during pond construction to reduce or prevent a mess?

It is simply insane to think that there will not be any mess generated by any contractor let alone a landscaper. If a contractor truly has the clients best interest in mind they will clearly know this and have some sort of plan to reduce or prevent a mess. For a good contractor this process begins early on at the site consultation with the client. A clear plan is developed for where the material is to be delivered and where any debris will be staged for removal. The contractor will need to have a clear picture of the size and scope of the project to determine if the staging area is big enough or if continually debris removal will be required. The contractor then need to determine the best path for the materials to be transported from the staging area to the project location. Witth the path in mind, the contractor will also need to figure out what needs to be moved or protected along the path. The final planning for the path is whether or not a protective barrier (wood sheets or rubber matting) needs to be put down to protect the lawn or garden beds. A good plan is then delivered to the construction team prior to the start of the construction.

For multi-day projects it is very important for the contractor to set aside time to clean up debris and stage it accordingly. Typically a contractor like this will have some select team members break off from the rest of the team at the end of the day to do this. While some materials will be staged till the end of the construction, trash will often be removed from the site daily.

The last preventative measure that a good landscape contractor will have deals with weather. Since the construction occurs outside and the fact that weather can be a catalyst to the mess created it will be a focus to monitor the weather and adjust the plan accordingly. After a big event the contractor will evaluate the site and determine if it is workable and why or why not. They will then keep the client up to date on the restart date. While monitoring the weather the contractor may also switch gears on the project and remove materials to get ahead of a weather event and prevent a slow down in the construction.

What is done about the mess made from the backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond construction?

The mess has been made, now what? With most contractors it is not the immediate area around the project where the mess is forgotten or left, it's along the path where materials were transported or the staging area. I always expressed to my co-workers that you could build the greatest masterpiece you have ever done, but if you leave the smallest of messes and the client finds it your masterpiece quickly becomes kindergarten art. With a daily clean up at the end of the day a contractor can decrease the odds of missing a mess at the end. A contractor who waits till the end of the project to clean up faces a mountain instead of a hill. They will often be in a rush to meet estimated hours or budget, resulting in far less quality and attention in the clean up. With lots of machine traffic a good contractor will aerate the soil, spread soil if needed and add grass seed. The best way to ensure a good through clean up for any contractor is to have a clean up checklist for their team and hold them accountable to their clean up by requiring the client to sign off on the work. The contractor that treats all of their clients property as if it was their own family members, like a grandmother, will certainly have a clear understanding why a client feels the way the do about their property.

For the final blog in the series focused on the construction of a backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond I will be exploring the question I often get asked at the site consultation, "When can you start the construction of my backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond?"

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"

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"

   

What Is The Construction Process For A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond?

Having a backyard pond constructed at your home can be a simple or complicated process depending on the size and location.  For this reason, many of our potential clients want to know what our construction process looks like so that they are more comfortable with their decision.  A larger Koi pond will certainly come with more damage to the surrounding areas and take longer to construct.  If we have easy and open access things will be much less complicated than if the area is harder to get to or is tighter.  Regardless of the size and location, the actual construction of the backyard pond follows a step by step process that we follow for each pond installed.

Paint & Plan

The phone conversations, initial consultation and down payment for your new backyard pond have all happened, what's next? With most projects a meeting will be set up two weeks prior to the start date with the client, the salesperson and project supervisor.  At this meeting we will review the original project scope, discuss any possible changes and map out the project with paint in the location where the work is going to be done.  During the "paint and plan" we will also discuss where we will need to stage materials, how we will reach the location of the project (access), how long it will take us, what the process will look like, how we will clean the area up, determine if we need to contact MISS Dig (utility marking), discuss the final meeting, talk about the scheduled date of the project and set up the  next meeting.  Larger projects will have a three payment set up (30%, 30%, 40%) so, this will often be the meeting where the second payment is collected.

Meet The Team 

The day of or the day prior to the start of the project we have another meeting for our clients where they can become acquainted with our team members. During this brief meeting we will walk through the items that were discussed at the "paint and plan" meeting so that all details are addressed and understood.  We understand the stress associated with a pond project and the team meet and greet is a good way to break the ice and build trust.

The Construction Process For A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond

As Certified Aquascape Contractors we follow a process for constructing ecosystem ponds that can be duplicated from the smaller style ponds to the much larger versions.  Each and every project can carry its own unique scenario, but solving them comes much easier when operating under a set process.  A kicker in American football has the same exact process when it comes to preparing for a kick. No matter what the conditions are, they never change how they prepare for a kick, just the delivery. Our process is much the same, we follow a step by step process and adapt to the conditions while delivering a unique finished product.  Here is what the 20 step process looks like:

1. Outline the pond footprint with paint
2. Place the skimmer and biological filter
3. Lay out the plumbing
4. Hook up the biological filter
5. Excavate the pond
6. Install the rubber liner and underlayment fabric
7. Hook up the skimmer and components inside, including the pump
8. Place rocks and stones in the pond
9. Position underwater lighting
10. Wash the rock and stones
11. Begin filling the pond
12. Construct the waterfall and stream 
13. Bring in topsoil for back filling around the biological filter and skimmer if needed
14. Build retaining wall if needed for the upper waterfall and stream
15. Tweak waterfall when turned on
16. Trim excess rubber liner or tuck along the pond edge
17. Complete the finishing touches like landscaping and adding mulch
18. Clean up around the pond and areas affected by the construction
19. Go over the welcome kit, familiarize the client with the pond components and their function and have the client sign off on the completed project
20. Add beneficial bacteria to ensure a good start up for the ecosystem     

   Click Here To Watch A Short Video On The 20 Step Process  

Final Walk-Through

The project is complete, the team has left the property and the sound of construction has been replaced with splashing water.  After a few days of our clients getting acquainted with there new backyard pond we will set up the final walk-through meeting with the salesperson.  At this meeting we will answer any new questions or concerns that have risen since the team left, discuss maintenance programs and options offered. At the conclusion of the walk-through, when the client is completely satisfied, we will collect the final payment.  

What The Future Holds 

After the final walk-through, our team will continue to keep in touch to make sure the client is still enjoying their new Koi Pond.  Depending on the time of year, our clients may choose to have our maintenance team come every other week or monthly for our Pond Preservation Program.  The program is designed with our clients in mind and their busy lives.  Our team can help as little or as much as needed so that our clients preserve their free time.  Our office team will also actively be checking in with you after your purchase.  Here is what you can expect following the final walk-through to ensure a comfortable and educational transition into the lifestyle of owning a backyard pond:

• Checking in after the final walk-through (3 days after, 3 weeks after & 3 months after)
• Weekly pond tips (e-mail a request to sign up here)
• Blogs answering client questions 
• Monthly newsletters (e-mail a request to sign up here)
• Pond Preservation Program mailings (Spring Openings, Seasonal Programs & Fall Closings)
• Facebook
• Instagram 
• Pinterest
• Youtube   

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"

Who Are The Best Pond Builders In Ann Arbor, Michigan? (Reviews/Ratings)

Who Are The Best Pond Builders In Ann Arbor, Michigan?  (Reviews/Ratings)

Each year, we at Poseidon Ponds and Landscaping meet with a large amount of households in the Southeast Michigan/Metro Detroit area with respect to their backyard pond or water feature installation. And because so many people know our thoughts and feelings (from this website) on all things "pond installation" they often ask us who are some of the other installers and competitors we have in the area.

We're never ones to shy away from being totally honest with respect to our competition and we want our customers to be as informed as possible.

Here is a list of some of the companies that have a solid pond building history in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. 

WaterScape 

Having been around for years, WaterScape is located in South Lyon, Michigan and specializes in the design and construction of custom water features from the Aquascape brand. The company also installs waterfalls, rivers, streams, pondless (disappearing waterfall) and fountainscapes.

Lotus Gardenscapes

Located in Dexter Michigan, Lotus Gardenscapes mostly a landscaping company, has also been around in the Ann Arbor area for many years. They have installed lots of ponds and fountains, with the main brand they install being Pond Builder.

Aquatec Ponds LLC

Also with many years of business, Aquatec installs a wide variety of options for ponds and water features including Easy Pro Pond Products.

Iron Wood Stone LLC

Also from the South Lyon area, they install Aquascape and Pond Builder pond and water features.

Terrafirma

Focusing mainly on residential and commercial landscaping, this Ypsilanti Michigan based company also offers basement waterproofing and water feature construction.

So there are 5 companies to consider if your're getting quotes for your Ann Arbor, Michigan pond and water feature installation project. 

You may like to take a look at these great resources:

• What is a Ecosystem Pond?
• What Is a Pondless Waterfall?
• What Is a Fountainscape?

Thank you for taking the time to read our article on "Who Are The Best Pond Builders In Ann Arbor, Michigan?."  If you are looking for more information or would like to speak with us about your project please Contact Us

Appreciatively Yours,
Cory Mann
Poseidon PondMann