Jeff I bet you slept well after that. Often on pond matters the old adage " If you want it done right then do it yourself" applies. It also seems that if you want it done this year then you better start working on the project now. One trick that often helps to get a contractor to do the work is to offer your free help. Tell him that you will be there to help with the work and he gets the full contract price. I don't know if it is that they like the idea of you working for free for them or if it is having you there is such a pain , but either way they seem to finish the work quicker. It also is a good way to learn how to do many jobs and what goes into the work so you know next time whether you do it yourself or contract it out.