Okie, if both the resources yer trying to get help from continue to ignore you, you can sort of do what i did. as a disclaimer, i dont highly recommend this approach to anyone without some knowledge of dirt, heavy equipment, and some modicum of people skills....but FWIW:
get a couple of bob lusk's books (i.e. read and learn about pond construction), and be yer own GC (general contractor). this way you can hire back hoe moe or dozer dan and make sure they do what you want and do it right.
i mention the people skills part, cause back hoe moe and dozer dan usually have no pond experience and think the things you ask them to do are ludicrous...so it can take some effort to get those folks to understand, get enthused, and go the extra mile for you.
if i had the money to hire it all out, i probably would have to save my time, but the experience of doing it myself (of course with two other VERY capable friends) was an unforgettable project of a lifetime.
DD1 raises great points about shooting elevations......dont hire moe or dan unless they can do this proficiently.
good luck.
