Just out of curiousity, is this guy an Aquascape contractor? I notice he's planning to use their equipment. I don't like to speak ill against anyone, but I know of people who have not gotten exactly what they wanted through them. For example, one person was promised a 2000 gallon pond, and ended up with something like 1100 due to all the shelves and rocks. They are very big on shelves, which I personally don't like because it gives predators a place to go fishing. On the other hand, other people love their Aquascape ponds.

To me, the $6000 sounds high. I paid $1400 for my Pond Eco system equipment and various other supplies and a few hundred more for rocks, but I did the labor myself. LOL, it nearly ruined my health! I'm a 50 year old woman, and my hands were numb for weeks after! I've included a link so that you can compare if you wish.

Who ever you go with, be sure to ask them to meter the water as they're filling it, so you'll know exactly what is there. That's important in case you need to medicate your fish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond Eco

$6,000 is a fair chunk of money, but if you are pleased with the results then it may well be worth every penny. Frankly, if I were to contract build a pond for someone, I doubt I would charge much less.
The problem I would have with someone else building my pond though is one of aesthetics and functionality. I have seen plenty of nice ponds here in this forum and in the real world, but I have also seen some pretty ugly looking ones too that the owners can't seem to keep clean and clear. All those measurements, parts and labor mean nothing if you don't like what you see when they are done and it's hard to keep clean.
Did they give you any sort of diagram or blueprint as to how it's all going to go together, what it will look like and what sort of maintenance routine you can expect to do once they are gone?

Nancy,

Thanks for the advice and the link. He's not an aquascape contractor (just likes there pumps I think)...This actually isnt his regular job, but does it on weekends as a hobby because he enjoys it...and probably a little money on the side I guess (we've seen some of his work and like it)

Mucky,
Thanks also...We've talked with him about the aethetics we want (and about maintenance requirement) and drew some lines in the dirt and sort of laid it out with the Trees, garden etc we have in the area to how it would blend in. I think we are on the same page with him, and partly since he does it as more of a hobby/passion I'm hoping we have a better chance of getting it right (aethethically) rather than some contractor throwing something in.

Thanks...

I'd check around more. Price seems a bit high.

The lack of more rock told me he wasn't an Aquascape contractor. They usually fill the pond full of rock. I'd check into a different pump. I've had nothing but bad luck with Aquascape pumps. Had three go bad in less than two years. Tho it is possible they have gotten better in the last 6 months.

After building my pond ourselves, Hubby, daughter and her children, I would say it is a bargain if it is what you want and you know their reputation to be good and references good. Just get a good contract to exactly what you want. I didn't keep a running total of cost of mine, but I wouldn't do one for any one else for less that $6000. I probably have more than half that much in mine not counting labor. Glenda

"since he does it as more of a hobby/passion I'm hoping we have a
better chance of getting it right (aethethically) rather than some contractor
throwing something in."
You are probably right.
Work with him, and ply him with coffee and snacks while he is working and beer at the end of each day, and he'll want to put extra time and detail into each step and you'll both come out of the deal happy and satisfied.

I AM a professional, and it sounds slightly high, but that may also be labor rates from the Midwest to Cali.

One thing you might ask is for an Itemized estimate. That way you can be more comfy with the pricing.

35hrs is Not out of line for that type of project.

Greg

Nine times out of ten ponds are built for asthetic purposes. More a luxury as opposed to a necessity. Therefore their monetary values are based on on their artistic values. Monet probably invested a couple of singles in his canvas and paint but today some "person" spends millions to hang it in a vault. Seems like he wants to make well over a hundred an hour to give you what you want.The value of that for you is what matters. I myself would probably feel a little guilty giving you that bid but that is just me. He may very well be an artist. If not a hungry one. If nothing else get two more bids and then make judgement.

I wouldn't exactly say 10 x 11 is a small pond. From what we paid, I would say that's a decent price, but contractors aren't in great demand in the NE, so the area probably has a lot to do with it. He should also be throwing in some plants and fish. An itemized list of expenses is a good idea. Ours took 4 days to build and that was with a crew of 3 guys so it was pretty labor intensive. They also amended our existing patio so that added to the cost. Our pond is larger than yours, and our stream is much longer, but not by a huge amount. Make sure you know what he's planning to do first. He should sketch it out for you so there's no questions later. It never hurts to get more than one bid not only for the price, but more people offer different ideas.

Well, if you are going to bid him out, Please allow him to spray paint the plan on the yard first. That way you are more likely to get Apples to Apples bids.

I think silent1pa might have forgotten the materials costs, or he might know more than he lets on ;-). Current labor rates for ponds in St Lou are between $50-80/manhour.

Some people aren't good draftsmen, and I prefer that people/clients SEE the shape and size of the pond ON their yard. AND I would pay the first guy for the visit.

Comparing prices on different ideas is useless and unfair. IF the materials costs vary by more than 10% (Including taxes and DELIVERY), then discuss that with the bidders.

Each ton of rock I buy for a client requires at least 1 hour of labor to get the right rock. And in general it requires 2 hrs labor cost to have it delivered. It takes a Minimum of 1 manhour to put that rock in place from your curb.

I'm currently doing a job where the clients are pinching pennies, and hiring cheap labor. I'm fine with that. Usually the client does not want to spend an afternoon shopping for rocks, arranging delivery, buying liner etc. ALL of that takes time. And time costs money.

Just trying to explain what goes into a Professional Pond estimate. YMMV

Greg

Thanks Everybody...I've been reading through all of the input/advice and doing some more research on pricing in the area. From what I've dug up this seems like fair price for what we want (and certainly cheaper than a piece of paper with some paint brushed on by a guy called Monet ;).

Since Greg/Nancy thought it was decent taking into account possible labor rates (and I appreciate Greg commenting the the # of hours seems reasonable), I checked with some friends in Syracuse and a buddy who moved from hear to StLouis on labor rates and as you might figure the rates here and there are much different (Silicon Valley Housing and Cost of Living is obnoxious as you probably have heard) So that will drive up the labor rates substantially (especially or a Professional), and materials (rocks etc..) are likely higher.

I also talked to a couple local friends that put in ponds, their ponds were larger, but many times the cost.

If anybody is curious, here's the website I found for a local installer I found with Google (looks like an Aquascape contractor from what you all have said...)

http://www.brooksidegarden.com/installation.html

just keep in mind that with the size and depth of this pond, type of filtration, lack of bottom drains etc you are building a WATERGARDEN not a koi pond...so if you are expecting a pond with large amounts of happy large koi, this will not happen in the long run....but for a few fish and some of your favorite lilies and marginals your on the right track....Welcome to the madness :) that is "ponding"

I don't know about price, but Aquascape pumps are JUNK and I would not recommend them. They are constantly changing their pumps because they copy the technology of other pumps and you can't get repair parts for the pumps. They are made overseas somewhere. I had 3 pumps, 2 of which lasted barely a year and 1 that lasted nearly 3 years. They are only guaranteed for 2 so I guess making it almost 3 wasn't so bad, but they are awfully expensive to have to replace.