Backyard Water Features?

[aquabliss]

Has anyone here done one of these?  I want to do one in my back yard without breaking the bank.  Please let me know your experience on cost / diy vs. contractor / maintenance / regrets, etc.

I took this picture at one of the OH models.  This pot type of fountain is my favorite water feature I think.  It's so peaceful to just sit and listen to the water trickle down these pots.  I'm having a few landscapers / hardscapers bid me for this but I have no idea if it will be $3k or $20k... should find out in the coming weeks.

 

[eyephone]

Looks pricey:
1. Raised planter
2. Wall with grouted stone
3. Tile work for the shallow water
4. Water pump(s)
5. The fountains look upgraded
6. Water flowing down/ through the walls (extra)

Mega buck$

 

[aquabliss]

Ya I think I'll ask them to quote me a toned down version.

- 3 Pots
- No extra wall behind, no water from the walls
- concrete for the shallow water

We shall see.

 

[Meggie]

Aquabliss, you need a pool in your big backyard. 

For your reference, we wanted to do similar water fountain minus the pots so the water just spilled from the raised planter face.  The cost quoted was $14,000 for 20' x 2' water section and 3' high planter.  The cost can be discounted substantially if we do the whole backyard with the vendor. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Have you tried pricing just the fountains at a place like Paradise Fountains?
http://www.paradisefntns.com/

 

[OpenSky]

 

[aquabliss]

Aquabliss, you need a pool in your big backyard. 

For your reference, we wanted to do similar water fountain minus the pots so the water just spilled from the raised planter face.  The cost quoted was $14,000 for 20' x 2' water section and 3' high planter.  The cost can be discounted substantially if we do the whole backyard with the vendor. 

I would love a pool but cost and maintenance are too much for me.... Yikes, that price is scary and I fear I'll get similar prices for what I'm looking for.  Both of the contractors I'm asking about this have done water features in the past and they showed me pictures, they look very nice actually.  One guy said "it shouldn't be too expensive".  The other said "the pots alone will run about $800 each"...

 

[ZeroLot]

One guy said "it shouldn't be too expensive".  The other said "the pots alone will run about $800 each"...

Mr. Z originally wanted a spiraling water feature that would cost one grand when I objected, because I thought it looked ugly and the Santa Ana wind will knock it down eventually.  Eventually I learned the HOA said water features couldn't exceed 4 feet and the one he wanted was 6 feet tall.  That would have been messy to return.

But it is true that pots and urns are quite pricey and that's excluding the pump.  We ended up buying a water feature from Overstock for under $200 with a bronze urn look and just under 4 feet.

There were other great looking water features at Overstock.  Check there too if you want a water feature at a discounted price.

 

[aquabliss]

We have a very large fountain in our backyard similar to this, but gray and more ornate:

It came with the house but is a labor of love.

I've replaced the pump ($35, amazon), discovered a leak and resealed it (DIY, $15, 3+ hours including taking it apart, cleaning, resealing w/ concrete, putting it back together), then had to reconnect the electrical ($350) which was tied into a since-removed standing lamppost. It needs a few gallons of water every week or so because of splashing or evaporation. I've added a timer that kicks it on during the morning and evening hours ($15, Amazon) which makes it accessible when we're likely to experience it and ensures there is no standing water for mosquitos.

Despite the hassle, it is very nice to have it splashing and is set up adjacent to the nook area so it can be enjoyed from inside or out.

If you have any sort of yard (and ours is small), I highly recommend both fire and water features. We use the heck out of ours as they draw the whole family outside.

Thanks OS guy... May I ask what hours you run the fountain and (in your estimation) how much of an impact this is having on your electric bill?  One of the contractors said if I get the pots water feature I should keep it going 24/7.  Sounds like it could be very expensive and heavy maintenance.  Seems to me though I should be able to stop it in the evenings for 4-5 hours as long as I run it every day. 

I have zero experience with this but if I really have to run this thing all day every day, doesn't sound like a good proposition.

 

[OpenSky]

 

[bones]

.

 

[homer_simpson]

May I ask what hours you run the fountain and (in your estimation) how much of an impact this is having on your electric bill?

Our pump is 1/6th horsepower; 1 hp is 746 watts, so we're consuming 124 watts per hour. A typical kw/h cost is ~16 cents (calcing electricity is kindof like calcing taxes - it gets progressively more expensive). So 124/1000 * .16 = 2 cents per hour.

We have ours running 1.5 hours in the morning, 1.5 hours in the evening and 1 hour overnight. So 8 cents per day, $2.40 per month. But that's one fountain, not 4 - and only running 4 hours per day.

Hope this helps!

 

[homer_simpson]

OS, where did you get your fountain and if you dont mind, how much? 

I found a few at armstrong ranch and also some fountain place on trask/harbor in garden grove. 

 

[OpenSky]

8)

 

[aquabliss]

Considering changing the water feature to a fireplace like the one attached.

Probably cheaper to do, less maintenance, still good ambiance.

Should get landscaper quotes next week for the water feature.

 

[eyephone]

Considering changing the water feature to a fireplace like the one attached.

Probably cheaper to do, less maintenance, still good ambiance.

Should get landscaper quotes next week for the water feature.

Looks nice

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Water... fire... why choose? Do both!!!

 

[eyephone]

Water... fire... why choose? Do both!!!

Looks nice and pricey