| Tony: I prefer not to discuss costs in specifics because everyone is going to be dealing with different situations. Site issues affect not only design, but also the time involved. The less freedom of movement a crew has, the longer it takes, and time costs. The length of the plumbing runs affects price. PVC is relatively cheap, but flex PVC can get pricey and the connections, unions, valves, etc can really add up. Whether electric is available or has to be extended can be material depending on the situation. Can excavated dirt be used on site, or does it have to be hauled away? If hauled, how far? (Time & gas are issues.) Are there dumping fees? What is in the way that has to be moved or worked around? Where will the discharge line go? Do you have to discharge into storm sewer lines? (Permits? Fees?) The costs of materials can vary widely. Concrete costs more in Florida than other areas. Availability of materials can be a factor. There were some pieces and parts for my pond that had to be overnighted, while for others Aquatic Eco-Systems was convenient and I drove there myself so a crew member did not have to leave the job (or get lost finding it!). What heavy equipment is needed, is it available locally and at what rental rates? Caterpillar is conveniently located not too far away, but due to hurricane recovery and a general construction boom, there was limited availability of the size/type of earth moving equipment needed. My project ended up with larger than necessary equipment, but there was no choice. There are so many variables that no reliable estimate can be given without investigating a number of things.
All of that said, the cost is going to be greater than constructing a swimming pool of like volume. This is because the plumbing and filtration are far more complex and super-sized than a pool that uses chlorine to make everything "simple".
I would not have built this pond unless I knew in my heart that we will be living in this house "forever". It has been home for over 25 years and always will be. Also, I believe this hobby is one I will stay in and enjoy for many, many years. My prior ponds were DIY ones, or mostly so. My enjoyment of the hobby grew as the ponds grew and I learned more. I've kept koi, starting with the under-sized lily pond like so many water gardeners, since 1978. I got "hooked" only about 7 years ago, but I don't think I'll grow tired of it. I'd give up my aquaria and guppies before I'd give up the koi. I still have a long way to go in this hobby. I do not have the highest quality koi. I do have a couple that I think are nice, but no future GCs among them. Hopefully this pond will provide me the education I need so that I can some day have a few high quality koi and be able to do right by them. Viewed in the context of a hobby for life, the cost does not seem absurd. But, I do still wonder at times how I got sucked into this hobby to such a degree that a swimming pool for in-bred carp does not seem too expensive. | 
05-10-2005
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