Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations average consultation fee?

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for a consultaion fee for having pond work done?

The NRCS can. Also, most reputable pond builders will come to your site, look it over, and give you an estimate.

I see that you live in Keller. Where is the pond site? You may not have enough ground moisture, at this time, to build a dam.

Your local ag extension office should have a list of contractors.

what kind of pond work? Construction or consulting? If consulting we charge $75-$150 to come out for an hr. $500 for electroshock survey + mileage.

DD: The pond is in Red River County(N.E. Texas). I'll check out the NRCS. It is an existing pond so the dam should be o.k. just looking to clean it out and dig down in another part.

Grimes: thanks for the consulting fee info. That is what I was wondering; just trying to make sure not getting the shaft because new to all of this.

Overton: Do you work in N.E. Texas or know of anyone who does for digging/cleaning existing pond.

Quigibo,
There are several contractors in that neck of the woods who are competent. Two advertise in Pond Boss. Both are good. There are others, too. But, you may be getting a bit ahead. When I look at a pond site someone wishes to enlarge, I try to figure out how to do it without excavating. Excavating is often the most inefficient and expensive way to clean out a pond. Here's what I do...I look to see if there's an obvious reason to excavate. If we simply intend to deepen the pond, I next look to see if the dam can be raised. If so, we look closely and project costs. If that's not practical, I look for other places to build a better pond. If so, we investigate that site. If not, we go back to the one needing excavation. Bottom line...I try to look at all options, pick the best one, then start looking for the best contractor to do the job.

George, who posts here on the forum as "George", is currently having some work done on his pond up in Sulphur Springs, so you might ask him about his contractor because they should finish his work soon.

I work there as well, and could help you with some aspects of pond construction....but I am no engineer, just a biologist.

Thanks for the info guys:

Bob: I do not believe the dam can be raised due to location of house(ie water line above foundation ground if dam raised). The total area is(we were told 3ac. It is currently still holding water in the deepest area at dam. The rest/majority of it was shallow 1-2 ft. area that has dried up. Looking to take out some sediment in deep area and also deepen what was shallow area to decent depth. Will hopefully be talking to several contractors before deciding exactly what needs to be done.

Overton: Thanks will contact George and see if I can get info from him.

Quigibo - check your PM ...