How Does The Cost Of A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond Compare To Other Water Feature Types?

How Does The Cost Of A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond Compare To Other Water Feature Types?

Dexter, Michigan Ecosytem Pond

In my last blog we addressed: How much does a backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond cost?  In this blog I continue the conversation by addressing how the cost of a pond compares to other water feature types.

When we talk to potential clients  we will often use the phrase, "water feature."  This could mean lots of things from natural earth bottom ponds, swimming pools or decorative fountainscapes. For this blog lets narrow it down to three different types of water features.

1. Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Ponds

2. Waterfall or Pondless Waterfall
3. Decorative Fountain or Fountainscape

So What Is A Waterfall or Fountain?

 In the last blog, "How Much Does A Backyard Pond Cost?", we looked at what a Koi pond is.  So what is a Waterfall and Fountain then?  I won't get super detailed in this blog and will certainly produce future blogs dedicated to each water feature, including an ecosystem pond.

Waterfall/Pondless Waterfall

Waterfall or Pondless Waterfall- A Pondless Waterfall is simply a re-circulating waterfall or stream without the presence of an open pond.  Waterfalls work by pumping water contained in a large, underground reservoir up and through the Waterfall Spillway This allows the water to flow down the waterfall and back into the reservoir. This simple re-circulation system requires very little maintenance, is easy to install, and ideal for families with young children or pets that love to play in water.

Decorative Fountain/Fountainscape

Decorative Fountain or Fountainscape- Outdoor Fountain Kits can be added to any space in your yard, making them an ideal choice if you want a smaller water feature. Butterflies and birds will enjoy the refreshment your fountain brings to the garden. You’ll delight in the new sights and sounds of nature that a fountain kit provides. Re-circulating fountains are easy-to-install, low maintenance water features that create a unique focal point in your landscape. The fountain works by pumping water contained in a large, underground reservoir up and through your fountain of choice, allowing the water to flow back into the reservoir.

Why Would Someone Want A Waterfall or Fountain Instead Of A Backyard Pond?

During our conversations with potential clients about their water feature options, 90% of the time we are quickly asked why would someone want a different water feature.  Like we discussed in the last blog, water features are not that different from buying a new car.  Car buyers are not all the same, people have different wants and needs.  Someone might want a silver SUV with black leather while the next buyer wants a red convertible with tan leather.  Well, with water features our buyers want options too...  So let's look at some of the reasons why someone might chose a waterfall or decorative fountain over a pond.

• Price- Waterfalls and decorative fountains have a lower starting price and potential clients with a lower planned budget find them more desirable. 
• Space- Ponds require a larger footprint and some clients have a small space available that waterfalls or fountains would better fit in.
• Safety- Pondless waterfalls and fountainscapes have very little to no open water, which makes them safer for clients concerned about their children or pets.
• Maintenance- With less open water, waterfalls and fountains are less maintenance than the already low maintenance ecosystem pond.
• Fish/Wildlife- Some clients do not want fish or do not want to attract wildlife, so the waterfall and fountain is much more appealing.
• Artistic Look vs. Natural Look-  More common in urban areas, some clients are looking for the more artistic look of a fountain than a more natural look of a pond or waterfall.
• Sound- Sound is a very common reason for choosing a waterfall or fountain over a Koi pond.  Some clients simply just want the sound of flowing or splashing water and not all the other stuff that comes with a backyard pond.

How Does The Cost Of A Backyard Pond Compare To A Waterfall or Fountain?

From the last blog, "How Much Does A Backyard (Koi/Ecosystem) Pond Cost?", you could see how the price can vary quite a bit. Everyone has different tastes, goals, locations and budgets.  As far as backyard pond price comparison with other water feature types, one might expect to find the following:

Waterfall or Pondless Waterfall
Just as the cost of a backyard pond can vary, so can  the cost of a pondless waterfall. If you have not read the last blog, be sure to reference it to see what can affect the cost.  Since waterfalls can be built in smaller spaces, they tend to have a lower starting price than their pond counterpart.  The average do-it-yourselfer spends $1,500 to $10,000, based on the size and options added.  A client who hires a professional installation of a pondless waterfall on average will spend $3,500 to $30,000 without any landscaping, again depending on the size and options.  Also similar to ponds, waterfalls can be custom built with a full landscape where clients might spend between $15,000 to $100,000.

Decorative Fountain or Fountainscape
When it comes to the cost of a water feature, fountainscapes tend to start at the lower end of the cost scale and clients looking to just add water to their landscape with a lower planned budget find them very appealing.  Decorative fountains have the lower cost, but they too can vary just as the waterfalls and ponds can.  You can choose to have one decorative piece with a small self contained basin or you could have multiple decorative pieces on top of a rainwater harvesting basin.  As a do-it-yourself project, you can expect to spend on average between $500 and $5,000 based on the size and options.  When a client hires a professional installation of a fountainscape they will spend anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 without any landscaping, again depending on the size and options.  Custom fountain installations with complete landscaping is not very common, but a client could spend between $10,000 and $100,000. 

If you have made it this far, you now have a good idea how much a backyard (Koi/ecosystem pond costs and how the cost of a pond compares to other water features.  We covered a portion of the cost to maintain a pond in, "How Much Does A Pond, Waterfall or Fountain Cleaning/Opening Cost?" and plan to add how much in season maintenance costs as well as how much a pond closing/shutdown costs.  So what costs are left?  Well, stay tuned for the next blog where I explore another question potential clients often ask before purchasing a pond, how much does a backyard (Koi/ecosystem) pond cost to run per month/annually (Energy Consumption)?

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"