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myGarden Water Feature Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of installing a garden water feature is around £500.
- The job will take approximately 1 to 2 days to complete.
- Typical costs for installing a water feature in your garden.
- How long the job should take and what can affect the cost.
- How to find a water feature installer on MyJobQuote.
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£500
Table of Contents
How Much Does Installing Water Features Cost?
Thinking about adding a garden water feature?
Adding a well-thought-out water feature to your garden costs around £500 on average, and is a great way to make your garden more appealing.
Building a garden pond, adding a water fountain, and other decorative water features can add character and breathe new life into tired gardens while making your home more attractive to potential buyers, as well as make the garden a much nicer place to enjoy the occasional sunny days we have in the UK!
Ponds and water features are not necessarily high maintenance. Some maintenance is involved, but it's not too difficult or time-consuming.
However, a neglected pond or water feature will quickly become an eyesore, so proper maintenance is important. There are many different types and sizes of water features and ponds. Some can also incorporate a small waterfall or fountain, and they can be located on the patio or on the lawn.
Which garden water feature would you like installed?
Garden pond or stream
1 votes - 11%11% of votes
Waterfall or vertical waterwall
5 votes - 56%56% of votes
Ornamental fountain
2 votes - 22%22% of votes
Bird bath/wildlife water source
1 votes - 11%11% of votes
9 votes
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You can even have several ponds or water features at different levels flowing into each other for maximum visual impact! Any landscape gardener will be happy to install a water feature for you.
What are some zero-risk water features worth considering to have added to my garden? By risk, I mean that they aren't dangerous for children or pets.
"I work with schools and know this to be challenging. If you want to install a pond, then cover the area in mesh or a grid to stop anyone from falling into the water. Maybe consider a waterfall feature over slate."
Water Feature Installation Prices
Want to find out how much a water feature costs?
The table below provides some typical costs of installing popular types of water feature in your garden.
| Water Feature Type | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Contained Water Feature | 0.5 to 1 day | £150 | £150 | £300 |
| Wall-Mounted Water Feature | 1 day | £200 | £200 | £400 |
| Freestanding Fountain | 1 day | £250 | £250 | £500 |
| Pondless Waterfall | 1 to 2 days | £400 | £400 | £800 |
| Stream and Waterfall Feature | 2 to 3 days | £700 | £500 | £1,200 |
| Garden Pond | 1 to 2 days | £450 | £450 | £900 |
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We've included an example of a pond water feature, but garden pond costs can vary significantly depending on whether you want a small, simple pond using a prefabricated liner, or a large recreational fishing pond. For more details, see our detailed garden pond costs guide.
What are the most common plants used in garden ponds in the UK and why?
"A favourite native plant for the water garden, the earliest to flower in spring with rich golden blooms. Marginal pond plants grow in rivers, streams and ponds in the wild. They are very versatile and grow in damp soil or shallow water."
Additional Water Feature Costs
Depending on your garden and the installation you want, your quoted water feature cost could be just a part of the total price you need to pay. Additional water feature costs could include:
Garden Design Costs
If you're unsure where to begin with garden water features, you can hire a garden designer to take care of the planning for you. Garden design costs £30 to £150 per m² on average to create, with total garden design costing £1,950.
Groundworks / Base Preparation Costs
Depending on the type and size of water feature you've chosen, you may need to prepare the ground to make sure it has a solid base for its installation. If required, expect base preparation or foundation laying costs to be between £100 and £600.
Electrical Installation Costs
Most water features will require an electrical supply to operate the pumps and other electrical components, unless you've opted for a solar-powered install. If your water feature does need electrical work, such as an outdoor power supply or residual current device (RCD), expect to pay between £100 and £500+.
Landscaping Costs
Depending on how your garden looks now, you might also want some additional landscaping to show off your new water feature. Whether it's adding some gravel or creating a new patio, landscaping costs could be between £100 and £1,000+, depending on the size of your water feature project.
Garden Lighting Costs
Safety is important with garden water features, so it's wise to install some garden lighting to make sure any water edges are illuminated at night. Garden lighting installation costs around £200, depending on what you want installed, with a full set of landscape lights costing around £1,100.
Water Feature Running Costs
As well as the cost of installing your water feature, you also need to understand how much it's going to cost to run.
The good news is, once you have installed your water feature, running costs are usually quite low. Below are more details on the typical running costs for an average water feature.
Electricity Costs
The electricity to keep your water feature working is probably the main ongoing cost, but this still shouldn't be too expensive. Expect to pay around £10 to £50 per year additional electricity costs for a small water feature, and around £50 to £150 a year in electricity costs for a larger feature.
Maintenance Costs
As well as the ongoing electricity cost for your water feature, there will be the regular and occasional maintenance and repair costs to consider as well. Cleaning, maintenance, and the occasional repair or replacement of pumps and filters could be expected to add £20 to £100 per year, depending on the type and size of water feature.
Types of Water Features
Water features are a broad category, and there are lots of different options available, depending on your budget, the available outdoor space, required maintenance, and desired look.
We've listed some of the most popular options below, so you can get a better idea of which water feature is best for your garden.
Self-Contained Water Features
Self-contained water features are a great option if you're looking for something affordable that is also easy to install. The water reservoir and pump are built into the unit and they make a great addition to small gardens or patio areas.
Self-Contained Water Features
- Typical Cost — £300.
- Maintenance — Low.
- Best for — Courtyards, patios, small gardens.
- Space Required — Minimal.
- Visual Impact — Medium.
Wall-Mounted Water Features
As the name suggests, wall-mounted water features are installed on a wall or fence, and are a great option where outdoor space may be limited. They create a great focal point without taking up much room, and are available in a wide variety of designs to suit all types of gardens.
Wall-Mounted Water Features
- Typical Cost — £400.
- Maintenance — Low.
- Best for — Courtyards, patios, small gardens.
- Space Required — Minimal.
- Visual Impact — Medium to high.
Freestanding Fountains
A freestanding fountain is a very traditional garden water feature, designed to provide a focal point within the garden. Available in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and materials, they suit a wide variety of garden spaces.
Freestanding Fountains
- Typical Cost — £500.
- Maintenance — Low.
- Best for — Creating a focal point in a garden.
- Space Required — Medium.
- Visual Impact — High.
Pondless Waterfalls
Stunning waterfalls flowing into a hidden underground reservoir rather than a pond, these provide a striking water feature for any garden. Pondless waterfalls provide a natural-looking water feature without taking up too much outdoor space, with the added benefit of the soothing sound of water.
Pondless Waterfalls
- Typical Cost — £800.
- Maintenance — Low.
- Best for — Family and low-maintenance gardens.
- Space Required — Medium.
- Visual Impact — High.
Stream and Waterfall Features
These striking water features are designed to mimic the natural appearance of streams and waterfalls. Usually larger than other water features and incorporating rocks, planting, and landscaping, these are a major focal point for medium to large-sized gardens.
Stream and Waterfall Features
- Typical Cost — £1,200.
- Maintenance — Medium.
- Best for — Medium to large-sized gardens.
- Space Required — Large.
- Visual Impact — High.
Garden Ponds
A garden pond can be designed with a variety of features in mind, from ornamental ponds to wildlife ponds and fish ponds, which explains why this is one of the most popular water features in UK gardens.
Garden Ponds
- Typical Cost — £900.
- Maintenance — Medium to high.
- Best for — Nature-focused and wildlife-friendly gardens.
- Space Required — Medium to large.
- Visual Impact — High.
What's the best way to make a new pond look natural?
"Aquatic plants provide much-needed shelter and protection from predators. Include planting shelves. Place boulders intermittently between baskets planted up with plants, merging with the rim of the pond for a natural progression from land into water, while also securing the pond liner in place."
Should You Install a Garden Water Feature?
If you're struggling to decide whether you want a garden water feature or not, here are a few advantages and disadvantages to consider:
- Enhance Your Garden — A well-planned garden pond will improve the look of your garden.
- Enjoy Your Garden More — Water features increase the enjoyment of gardens.
- Simple Is Usually Better — A basic, informal wildlife pool can be stunning.
- Some Maintenance Will Be Needed — Water features can lose water through evaporation, and algae can build up, so you'll need to keep on top of maintenance. Some algae can be good for wildlife, but too much can reduce the oxygen levels in the water. Rake out blanket weed and dead leaves to help control algae levels. Top up the water with rainwater rather than tap water where possible, as nutrients in tap water can encourage algae growth.
Are you ready to get a quote for your water feature installation?
More than 1 million homeowners across the UK use MyJobQuote to find tradespeople near them every year. Simply add in some project details, and we'll connect you with pond and water feature installers near you.
I’ve got a garden pond, but there are a few issues. It has stringy algae in it, and the water is almost soupy? Despite cleaning the pond regularly, the issues remain. Do you know what might be causing this and how I could fix it? Is it easy/safe to fix DIY or should I hire a professional?
"A black dye can be added to the water that is safe for wildlife. This provides a screen so that the algae/algal blooms cannot survive as they need sunlight. It is not as drastic as it sounds, and is far better to look at than the green sludgy water."
Checklist: Hiring a Water Feature Installer
Here's what you should keep in mind when hiring a water feature specialist to work in your garden:
- Are you getting the best price? Gather at least 3 quotes from different contractors to compare prices to ensure you're getting a fair cost.
- Do you know exactly what you're paying for? Ensure your quotes are itemised so there are no hidden costs when it comes to settling up.
- What do other customers say about your contractor? Take a look at the contractors' customer reviews. Do they mention the sort of quality you're looking for?
- What's their previous work like? Be sure to check their past project photos or videos to get an idea of their standard.
- Is their work guaranteed? Remember to ask about warranties or guarantees.
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FAQs
Can I Install a Water Feature Myself?
Some water features, like a self-contained unit supplied with an integrated pump and reservoir, are suitable for DIY installation, and doing it yourself can help cut down on installation costs. However, larger, more complex water features may require groundworks, electrical work, and landscaping, which may be best left to the professionals.
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Water Feature?
Most homeowners in England will not need planning permission for the addition of a garden water feature. The exceptions are any ponds in front of the house or in the grounds of a listed building, or ponds at the side of the house if the property is in a conservation area, National Park, the Broads, AONB, or World Heritage Site. If planning permission is required, expect to pay £272 for an application (in England) and the process to take around 8 weeks.
Do I Need Lighting for My Pond, Waterfall or Garden Fountain?
It's always best to consider lighting for all water features, even if just for safety reasons, to avoid anyone tripping over it or even falling into the water! Lighting will also pick the feature out nicely, and you can often do this cheaply and easily using solar-powered lamps from any garden centre.
Do Water Features Come Complete with the Pump?
Most do, but you should always double-check, especially if buying online.
