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myCost of Garden Water Features
At a Glance
- The average cost of installing a garden water feature is around £500.
- The job will take approximately 1 to 2 days to complete.
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes things you need to consider, along with what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what types of services can be performed.
- How to find and hire a pond specialist.
Want to find out how much a water feature costs?
Depending on various factors, which will be covered below, you can expect to pay around £500 on average.
Our guide covers all the cost information you need about installing a water feature in your garden, including gardener fees.
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To learn more about garden water features first, keep reading.
£500
Table of Contents
How Much Are Garden Water Features?
Thinking about adding a garden water feature?
Building a well-thought-out water feature in your garden can add significant value to your house, as well as making your garden look much more attractive.
Building a garden pond, adding a water fountain, and other decorative water features can add character and breathe new life into tired gardens while making your home more attractive to potential buyers - as well as make the garden a much nicer place to enjoy the occasional sunny days we have in the UK!
Ponds are not necessarily high maintenance, though some maintenance is involved, but it's not too difficult or time-consuming.
However, a neglected pond will quickly become an eyesore, so proper pond maintenance is important. There are many different types and sizes of garden ponds; some can also incorporate a small waterfall or fountain, and they can be located on the patio or on the lawn.
You can even have several ponds at different levels flowing into each other for maximum visual impact! Any landscape gardener will be happy to install a pond for you.
What are some zero-risk water features worth considering to have added to my garden? By risk, I mean that they aren't dangerous for children or pets.
"I work with schools and know this to be challenging. If you want to install a pond, then cover the area in mesh or a grid to stop anyone from falling into the water. Maybe consider a waterfall feature over slate."
Garden Water Feature Prices
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build a garden pond includes digging out, lining and filling a 1.5m diameter pond | 1 – 2 days | £300 | £300 |
| Supply and install a pre-fabricated 600 litre fibreglass pond with filter and RCD labour | 2 – 3 days | £450 | £475 |
| Medium partially raised pond 3.5m x 2m above ground level dwarf brick walls liner, filter and small rockery | 6 – 8 days | £2,500 | £2,000 |
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Things to Consider with Garden Water Features
Garden Design
If you're unsure where to begin with garden water features, you can hire a garden designer to take care of the planning for you. Garden design costs £30 to £150 per m2 on average to create, with total garden design costing £1,950.
Garden Ponds
When creating a garden pond, remember that the work is not finished once the pond is completed - you still need to stock it with plants and fish!
For these to thrive and survive, you’ll need to look after the pond and make some purchases from your local DIY centre or aquatic store.
Pond water needs to be aerated, and you may need herbicides or pesticides to keep your pond clean. Always keep an eye on the condition of the water, and do not let it become too dirty as fish can’t breathe and plants won’t thrive in dirty water.
What's the best way to make a new pond look natural?
"Aquatic plants provide much-needed shelter and protection from predators. Include planting shelves. Place boulders intermittently between baskets planted up with plants, merging with the rim of the pond for a natural progression from land into water, while also securing the pond liner in place."
A great, cost-effective way to keep your pond fresh is to get an ultraviolet light bacteria killer. This uses a simple pump to pass water under a strong ultraviolet light, killing harmful bacteria as it circulates.
Your pond will almost certainly need a circulation system using a pump to keep the water fresh.
Garden Fountains
There are three main types of garden fountains to choose from: floor or free-standing, tabletop, and wall-mounted units.
Fountains and other water features will also require a pump, so it may be worth hiring an electrician to establish a safe mains power supply to your garden for all your features.
Try to always maintain the water level in garden water features with a pump, as low water levels can cause the pump motor to burn out and will also make more noise.
Garden Lighting
Safety is important with garden water features, so it's wise to install some garden lighting to make sure any water edges are illuminated at night. Garden lighting installation costs around £200 depending on what you want installed, with a full set of landscape lights costing around £1,100.
Doing it Yourself
If you are considering a garden pond, you can always go for the old-fashioned method and dig out the pond yourself! This is by far the cheapest method, but the amount of work required, even for a small pond, is not to be underestimated!
Even digging out a small pond is seriously hard work and not for the faint of heart, but it does not require much in the way of skills, so it certainly can be done as a DIY project.
All you need to do is buy a liner from the local DIY superstore to line the base of your pond, or alternatively, you can buy pre-made moulds.
Then it's time to start digging. You can dig until you feel the pond is deep and wide enough, then simply insert the liner, but with a mould, you will have to dig out an area to fit the mould perfectly so that when inserted, it is flush with the ground.
Building your own pond is the cheapest option, but it’s up to you whether you can face all the hard work! Either way, you will need to invest in a good pump and filtration unit to keep the pond clean and then add plants and wildlife to suit.
Larger ponds, especially with running water features, may still require a gardener or landscaper as they will have all the necessary skills.
I’ve got a garden pond, but there are a few issues. It has stringy algae in it, and the water is almost soupy? Despite cleaning the pond regularly, the issues remain. Do you know what might be causing this and how I could fix it? Is it easy/safe to fix DIY or should I hire a professional?
"A black dye can be added to the water that is safe for wildlife. This provides a screen so that the algae/algal blooms cannot survive as they need sunlight. It is not as drastic as it sounds, and is far better to look at than the green sludgy water."
Should I Install a Garden Water Feature?
If you're struggling to decide whether you want a garden water feature or not, here are a few advantages and disadvantages to consider:
- A well-planned garden pond is much more than just a nice feature.
- Water features increase the enjoyment of gardens.
- Simple is usually better, a basic informal wildlife pool can be stunning.
- Water features can lose water through evaporation faster than you think, so you'll need to keep on top of maintenance.
- If the water gets murky, you must clean it to ensure that wildlife and plants can still survive.
Building Regulations and Planning Permission for Garden Water Feature Installation
You typically won't need planning permission to install a water feature in your garden. But, before you begin any work, it's always best to check with your local council to make sure there aren't any special regulations in your area that you need to be aware of.
However, if you know you live in a conservation area or within an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), different regulations will apply. You'll likely encounter stricter rules in these areas, especially if your plans involve changing the area's character.
In any case, it's best to contact your local authority to discuss your plans to determine if any permissions are needed.
Building regulations cost about £100 with planning permission approval costing around £200. Planning approval can take up to 8 weeks, so you should factor in time for delays if necessary.
What are the most common plants used in garden ponds in the UK and why?
"A favourite native plant for the water garden, the earliest to flower in spring with rich golden blooms. Marginal pond plants grow in rivers, streams and ponds in the wild. They are very versatile and grow in damp soil or shallow water."
Garden Water Feature Checklist
Here's what you should keep in mind when hiring a pond specialist to work in your garden:
- Gather at least 3 quotes from different contractors to compare prices to ensure you're getting a fair cost.
- Ensure your quotes are itemised so there are no hidden costs when it comes to settling up.
- Take a look at the contractors' customer reviews - do they mention the sort of quality you're looking for?
- Be sure to check their past project photos or videos to get an idea of their standard.
- Remember to ask about warranties or guarantees.
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FAQs
What about pond maintenance?
Most water features require very little maintenance and will look after themselves, at least to a certain extent, but they will need some maintenance from time to time, but just basic stuff like cleaning of the fountain spout and making sure the drainage is clear.
You may also need to clean out a pond occasionally, especially if you want to have fish in it. Many gardeners offer services for your water feature, but you can easily do it yourself if you have the time and energy.
How much does it cost to run a fountain or water feature?
This depends on the power consumption of your pump, how long you have it running per day and your electricity tariff. But it's not expensive, costing just pennies per day.
Do I need lighting for my pond, waterfall or fountain?
It’s always best to consider lighting for all water features, even if just for safety reasons, to avoid anyone tripping over it or even falling into the water! Lighting will also pick the feature out nicely, and you can often do this cheaply and easily using solar-powered lamps from any garden centre.
Do water features come complete with the pump?
Most do, but you should always double-check, especially if buying online.
How do I stop algae growth in the pond?
If your pond is located in a sunny spot, this may cause algae growth, which will turn the water an unsightly green. There are a number of brands of effective algae treatments that are suitable for ponds that are sold in DIY stores.
