I've had a few contractors flake out on me and the last one wanted to be paid before they even bring equipment to the site. I want a 1/4 acre pond, there's some slope, so it can be dammed. Please recommend someone

I'm sorry you are having that situation. It's also somewhat common around here, for contractors working for private individuals to look at a job, be hired verbally, then never show up. I have experienced that myself several times over the years.

I advise you to look for a pond and lake management company that works in your area, if any, and ask them.

I almost signed the contract until I saw the wording for payment soon as the contract was signed. The one that was suppose to build it initially, injured his hand fixing the dozer that he was gonna bring that same day. All else fails, I will just have to buy my own equipment and dig it myself.

I feel your pain. I use a JD550G dozer and JD410E backhoe, along with a 4' sheep's foot to build my 1/2 acre pond in 2017. This is my 3rd pond. My first was build right by a pond builder, but the 4 contractors that I went through on my 2nd pond were dirt guys with each one fixing the previous one's mistakes as best they could. The dam still drops of like a cliff, even after pulling the dam back to ease the slope. Should have been smarter when told they did not believe in coring dams but would do it if I want. At least the core is good and it does not leak! In all fairness, the 3rd and 4th contractor did exactly as they were asked.

You know not one mentioned core trench when I talked to them. I will insist on it next time I talk to one. It's hard getting anyone out here.

They don't mention a core trench, because likely they don't know what a core trench is for. I have found out the hard way.

I guess they use the dig and pray method. I read about the guy that build his 2.5 acre pond with his skid loader. I might be in the market for one soon at this rate.

So instead of getting a pond built for geothermal, I am going with vertical boreholes instead. I have a well driller coming tomorrow and I've been quoted 12 dollars per ft. The pond will have to wait.

The vertical boreholes will be better for geothermal in your area. The bottom of a reasonably deep unaerated pond, say 12 feet, would be at 39 degrees in the winter, and probably low 60s in late summer. The deep soil temperature is about 53 degrees year round.

Yup vertical will work better, I just won't get the tax credit for the pond

So instead of taking a risk on ancient dozers, I decided to go the craigslist route and posted an ad for a pond builder. Any specific questions i should ask besides, licensed and bonded, core trench, etc?

I once asked snrub (John) about buying used heavy equipment. I believe him to be pretty knowledgeable about such things. He says he is one of those bad corporate farmer guys or so he says. lol Anyway he suggested to me, when buying used, find out who does the service work on the equipment and ask them about the machine. Maybe he will correct me or add to your questions.

That's if they get it serviced regularly. I'm getting a bunch of calls and text for the ad but some tried to quote me sight unseen. I have one coming out to look today.

I thought the tax credit ended in 2016.....

It was revived. Get while it lasts. I had a guy quote me 2k for the pond build with a skid steer in a weekend. Highly doubt it.

Before you decide on a pond builder it will highly benefit you to read through this thread about proper building of a pond. There have been many threads on this forum for fixing poorly built leaky ponds. Don't you be one of those new members with leaky pond problems asking how to fix a leaky pond. Spend time doing good homework to prevent future leaky pond headaches.
Read through and study this very good thread from the archives heading Common Pond Q & A topics about proper pond building.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92487#Post92487

Oh I’ve read plenty. Just can’t seem to find someone that knows what a core trench is. I had one guy that wanted 7300 for labor and wanted me to pay 3500 for the rental. Seriously. Most are 5500 to 6500.

So the saga continues. The guy that mauled his hand said he can do it before he starts his 2.5 year contract next week. Well the permit to move his d8 never came over the weekend so looks like it's 50/50 chance. His fee is 5500, 500 additional to take out a huge oak tree. A while back he got the permit and was gonna move it but mauled his hand fixing the dozer...

Have you visited the nearest US Soil & Water Conservation district office? They cannot officially recommend who they think is best but should provide you a list who they know are pond builders.

I did actually. Most will not return calls or too busy. I found the guy during a google search. I would go with the guys that want me to rent equipment, but what happens when it doesn't finish during the rental period? More rental time equals more money, not to mention labor.

I would pay the SWCD a visit - face to face talk with the district supervisor - professional may get you more results than general office staff. This type of service is what the SWCD was founded on.

Also try contacting these Dayton local fish farms who should know of some decent pond builders in your area - region. Their helpfulness probably will indicate how well they will serve you when you need fish or management products.

Advanced Technical Aquatic Control
https://www.atac.cc

Further away but still in the region and should be knowledgeable. I know the Jones brothers from way back in the 1980's.
https://jonesfish.com/

Further away in Urbana is Freshwater Farms but may know of a builder in your area. I know Dr. Dave Smith via Ohio Aquaculture Assoc
https://fwfarms.com/

We have a PB member (school teacher) here from your area who has a fairly new pond. He might be in My Private Messages list and able to give some help. I will look for his name.

They gave me a long list of pond builders, but of course wouldn't recommend any of them personally. ATAC is 35 mins from me. I didn't even know they existed. I will call and see if they know anyone. Thanks!

Okay I found the PBoss member pond owner in your area. He lives in Enon OH - Ben Adducchio SW Ohio. PM me if you want his email address. Do a search here for his posts. He did a lot of posting back in 2015-2016.

Another further away, very good and helpful Fish Farm owner at Anna OH Shelby Fish Farm - Steve Heitman might know of someone good as a good pond builder in your area. Steve has excellent fish, knowledgeable, decent prices. Also sells good fish food. Check him out before buying fish.

Ben came through and I have a contractor coming Friday to take a look. Thanks again Bill!

My original contractor called. I was surprised since he didn't call for ages. He has permit in hand to transport his d8. I might have the start of a pond tomorrow afternoon. Will take pics where I can. Hopefully nothing bad happens before then!

Good luck with that. Does he have compaction equipment? Please don't make the same mistake we did with the first pond. Tried to compact with a bulldozer, didn't work.

I'm going to get a sheepsfoot. A lot of them don't believe in it just because I have lots of clay.

Not compacting well won't work if you are building a dam. The only kind of clay that will not leak is the kind that peels out in large sheets, and looks polished. But, that only works for a purely excavated pond. That's the kind of clay I have. Only the excavated portion held water well. The dam part leaked.

There's not anything more we can do for you except give our sincere advice. If you choose to use a dozer only, well......

Did you get the leak fixed? Going to price a compactor.

Having very good clay and then using a compactor; using the compactor is cheap leak insurance. It is much better to have a very tight, well sealed pond better than any other type of pond. As mentioned it is most important in building a dam. It would be possible with good clay that it is peeled and layered in sheets the water could work its way through or between the sheet layers. A sheepfoot compactor knits and interlocks the sheet layers together.

No, haven't been able to get anyone to do such a small job. They want multiple days or nothing.

That's a bummer. Going to call up the contractor tomorrow and have him bring a compactor. If it costs more so be it.

If he's not enthusiastic about using a compactor, then you will need to watch constantly to make sure he uses it properly, or he likely won't.

I might drive it myself. I'm taking friday off.

Two men with two machines will require around 3 days to build a 0.3ac dug pond.

Yup it's gonna be a blast.

Pond area cleared of oak trees, grass etc. After just 2 hours. It took them most of the day to get the dozer over to my property. It's actually a D6H. We're going to use an old sheepsfoot compaction. Will post pics on a different thread when it's done.

I suggest you keep all your pond information together in one thread for all references to your pond project.