Part of the problem for getting pricing on a pond is that there is so much unknown. Contractors are very reluctant to give firm price quote due to th unknown.
Make sure you totally trust the contractor you work with and stay with him as the work progresses so as th suprizes are uncovered you can make the cost tradeoff decissions.
Additionally, you may be able to sell the material taken out of the pond area like we did. Sold the topsoil that was nearly 3 feet thick and that paid for significant excavation cost. The further they have to push or haul the other material the higher the cost will be. Hours on the dozer/excavator plus diesel fuel cost run up fast if you have to push far. We made some compromises with that aspect but ended up with a pond that we love. You can see the photos of our project by clicking the little house symbol on my post.
