Finished our pond build

cyclonebri1

Mojisola wrote: »

Martin always says that the site isn't about penny-pinching throughout your life but saving money where you can so that you can spend it on things you like. The enjoyment that this garden and pond must give is well worth whatever it cost.

I agree with your sentiment but not your actual statement.

Whatever it cost?, no sorry, all things have to have limits, so do we and our hobbies,

But, as a fellow pond keeper can I suggest the OP joins the "pondlife forum"???, and no, it isn't as low as it sounds.

It is simply the best forum for naTURE LoVERS WITH AQUATIC PERSUATIONS THAT i HAVE FOUND.
Soory for caps, fat fingers.

cyclonebri1

Mojisola wrote: »

Martin always says that the site isn't about penny-pinching throughout your life but saving money where you can so that you can spend it on things you like. The enjoyment that this garden and pond must give is well worth whatever it cost.

I should have said that I am only here because I managed to work to the same principal.:A:A

In my case work hard then spend carefully,;);););), you understand I know.

Mojisola

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I agree with your sentiment but not your actual statement.

Whatever it cost?, no sorry, all things have to have limits, so do we and our hobbies,

But whatever the cost, it wasn't too much for Mallotum so it was worth it. I didn't mean that everyone else should build an equally expensive pond.

EpsomOldie

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I too keep koi and other fish, BUT, just how does this fit with a moneysaving forum?

How daft - have you looked at the blog and the posts upthread? They did it almost all on their own, over three years, (fre)recycling loads as well as (look away now Cyclonebri1) spending money.

In any case, I don't think 'money' when I look at what they've done. Instead it reeks of imagination, planning, patience, perseverence, meticulousness, high standards, creativity, elegance and lots of hard work...none of which need cost a penny and some of which are priceless. Money doesn't equal a good result - just look around!

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

what aspect of it did you win on the dice??

I don't understand this. Enjoy your fish.

Mallotum_X

As highlighted the pond took us quite a long time, we were not in a position to hire someone to build what we wanted, and were keen to have the best pond and surrounding garden we possible could achieve.

Yes we spent a fair amount of money but the savings were also considerable comparing what we achieved with what a contractor would have charged.

Some of the obvious money savings were -

Not hiring any skips and recycling the spoil from the pond - in a small space - the garden is only 19feet wide this led to building the raised borders. In our view it gave a better look and overall saved hard cash - it also made the project take longer.

We hand dug the pond, using spades and a pick axe - we are on heavy clay and solid chalk so this took ages, but our labour was free. Saving on hire of a digger or breaker for the chalk.

Where we could re reused old bricks, and blocks, and negotiated trade prices on those we had to buy new.

We used freecycle and ebay, buying double glazed windows for £20 for the filter house, and recycled roof tiles for just £10. If we had bought either of these new the price would have been a lot higher.

All the hardcore used for foundations were recycled, either rubble we had generated from other tasks, also items from freecycle - old bricks, broken roof files etc.

Apart from 2 tasks that needed an expert we did everything ourselves, spending hours online reading up on how to block lay, build the filter house, how to tile the roof, how to build the pergola.

The filter equipment, whilst not inexpensive was bought in autumn sales 18 months before the pond was ready. We were able to get a good deal at the time so planned our purchases and stored them in the dining room - much to the amusement of friends and family.

Overall we learnt a massive amount doing this project, I work in an office and my partner is a nurse, so neither of us had anything other than basic DIY skills before hand.

This site as has been mentioned has an ethos about obtaining the things you want for a reasonable price, not going without completely. We wanted a pond that we would have had to save up for many years to hire a contractor to build, so rather than do that we got stuck in and started digging whilst we saved up for the materials needed.

Mojisola

I'm full of admiration for your garden! I hope we get a good summer so that you can sit back and enjoy all your hard work.

EpsomOldie

Mojisola wrote: »

I'm full of admiration for your garden! I hope we get a good summer so that you can sit back and enjoy all your hard work.

What Mojisola said. How satisfying to look around and think "we did that".

A quick question Mallotum X: your garden's so rich and verdant that I wonder if the local wild creatures have discovered it yet and begun to set up home? I know you've got cats, but there must be so many high perches and hidey-holes for birds and other beasties.

Mallotum_X

EpsomOldie wrote: »

What Mojisola said. How satisfying to look around and think "we did that".

A quick question Mallotum X: your garden's so rich and verdant that I wonder if the local wild creatures have discovered it yet and begun to set up home? I know you've got cats, but there must be so many high perches and hidey-holes for birds and other beasties.

We do find a lot of wildlife takes up residence in the garden or nearby. The area we live in is full of 1930s houses with very long (130-150feet) gardens. So the whole area is full of trees and shrubs, plus other spaces such as garden sheds - its amazing what lives under a shed. We see a lot of birds, hedgehogs, urban foxes, squirrels etc. The only real pest can be the Squirrels as they love to dig in potted plants.

wellused

I've got to say that looks amazing a professional job I am really impressed. That filtration system looks very expensive but it would be crass to talk money, obviously you saved on doing the hard work yourselves so swings and roundabouts in those regards.

phoebe1989seb

I think it looks fantastic and whilst we are not pond/koi people (we did have both at our last house but these were inherited from the PO) we both adore abundant foliage and unusual planting, as well as interesting spaces - which you have here Well done!

It was an amazing achievement - and good for you to save money by tackling things yourselves/buying on eBay/in sales We are all entitled to indulge our hobbies/interests and if they are expensive but cash can be saved by a bit of DIY/judicious purchasing, then go for it I say.

Personally we have a hot tub - yes, I know, most will assume we are either swingers or chavs with no taste, but neither applies, I'm afraid - and whilst it isn't cheap to run, DH and I feel we deserve this little luxury!

We both work hard, doing most of our property renovations ourselves and have had some tough times over the last few years, most recently having had to contend with three parents suffering from Dementia......relaxing in the HT with a glass of vino is our little bit of *us time* in amongst the mayhem of our everyday life