Ready to hire a pond builder for your garden pond? Here are some questions to ask your pond contractor to ensure you find the best option for you. Asking for a guarantee on the construction workmanship of your pond is always a good idea. Landscapers are notorious for their poor business practices. Landscapers typically don’t answer their phones once paid, thanks to caller ID. A standard warranty should be one year on all parts and labor.
Does the company offer weighing service? This question is important. Chances are, if the pond contractor doesn’t service the pond, he won’t deal with your pond efficiently after it’s built. A quality company will offer a training manual or some type of training to ensure that the owner is comfortable caring for the pond after it is installed.
How many days will it take to complete the construction of the pond? Usually a good pond company will only build ponds. Why? Because most landscapers only build three or four ponds a year and have not mastered the pond learning curve. A good company builds twenty to thirty ponds a year and can completely install a small pond system in a day or two.
Be sure to ask about additional services offered after pond installation. Ask about future cleaning services and if there are parts or pumps in stock that can be easily replaced.
Finding out if you’re talking to a sales rep or the owner is always a good idea. Often hiring a business owner to build your pond will give you a better quality product and help you have better communication with the business in the future.
Do you have any display gardens? This question is important since most companies do not have storefronts. Viewing a display or waterfall will allow you to see firsthand what your feature will look like and what kind of artist you are about to hire. Don’t assume the photos a pond builder shows you are all his work. Be sure to ask where, when, and for whom the features were created.
Don’t forget to check the pond builder’s website and look for any reviews made online. Make sure you hire a company that is friendly and easy to work with, as you will need to continue this relationship for a long time.