Are you worried that the cost of koi pond maintenance will be too high? Do you think it won’t be worth installing a backyard koi pond?
In this post, we’ll answer the question “how much does koi pond maintenance cost,” the main factors that can influence the price, and more. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a better idea of how much you’ll need to spend to keep your koi pond beautiful.
Koi Pond Maintenance Cost
The typical koi pond maintenance cost will land between $450 and $5,000. Four maintenance visits per year cost an average of $2,000 to $3,000. Cost changes based on pond size, job complexity, season, and other factors.
The Cost Of Yearly Koi Pond Maintenance
Yearly koi pond maintenance costs average between $2,000 to $3,000. This price tends to break down like this*:
- Spring maintenance – $1,200
- Summer maintenance – $500
- Fall maintenance – $900
- Winter maintenance – $400
*These prices are based on national averages and will change based on the factors listed further down this post.
Cost For Koi Pond Maintenance From Amen Corner Ponds
For an average-sized pond, we offer monthly maintenance for $225 per month. This includes cleaning filters, skimming the pond, adding a dosing bag, dosing the system, checking all mechanics, and checking the health of the koi fish. Ask us about our weekly pond maintenance!
Pro vs DIY Koi Pond Maintenance Costs
You may save some money going the DIY route when it comes to koi pond maintenance, but you may also hurt your water feature. Maintenance includes filter cleaning, checking the mechanical parts, replacing failing parts, and more technical knowledge. If you don’t have this, you could end up having to pay a pond contractor to come help anyways.
Plus, it does require a fair amount of time and effort on your part in order for it to be effective. Youβll need to purchase all of the necessary supplies, such as nets, filters, pumps, etc., as well as make sure you have enough knowledge on water chemistry, fish health, and general upkeep in order to properly care for your pond.
The Main Cost Factors For Koi Pond Maintenance
Size Of The Pond
The size of your koi pond will have a direct effect on how much it costs to maintain. A larger pond requires more cleaning because there is more debris build-up and more surface area that needs to be monitored. Additionally, larger ponds require more filtration systems and pumps, which will increase the cost of both installation and maintenance. A larger pump means higher energy bills in order to power it, so this is something you should consider when deciding on the size of your backyard pond.
Your Location
Different areas have different costs of living, labor, and more, all of which play a part in the cost of various products and services. This holds true for backyard koi ponds too. Urban areas with higher costs of living tend to have pricier koi pond maintenance costs. Other areas with lower living costs tend to have less expensive pond maintenance costs.
Your Contractor
The tier of contractor you hire will impact maintenance costs as well. High-tier pond contractors do a thorough job quickly and can make recommendations. They communicate well, show up on time, and leave your pond looking incredible. Lower-tier contractors will be cheaper, but the experience won’t be nearly as good.
Contractors can also have different cleaning processes. Some prefer draining and refilling the pond, while others do not. Either process will get your pond clean, but the cost can change between processes.
Waterfalls And Fountains
If you decide that you want a waterfall or fountain as part of your koi pond design, you should factor additional costs into your budget. Water features add an extra layer of complexity when it comes to maintaining your koi pond because they need to be regularly cleaned in order for them to remain in working condition. In addition, water pumps may need replacing over time due to wear and tear from running constantly.
Seasonal Cleanings
Koi ponds require regular cleanings throughout the year in order for them to remain healthy and safe for fish life. As such, seasonal cleanings should also be factored into the overall cost of owning and maintaining a koi pond. Depending on where you live, this could include spring cleanings, fall cleanings, and winter cleanings–all requiring extra labor hours as well as tools and materials specifically designed for cleaning ponds.
Drain And Refill
This involves draining the water from your pond, cleaning the sides and bottom, then filling it back up with fresh water. The size of your pond will determine how much water needs to be drained and refilled, which will also affect the cost of this process as larger ponds require more labor to complete.
Also, if you are using tap or filtered water for your pond, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining that water, depending on where you live. You’ll also need water treatments, so the water is chemically balanced for your koi fish.
| Square Footage | Β Price to Drain | Price to Refill |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | $775 β $1,000 | Β $600 β $1,000 |
| 160 | $1,000 β $1,500 | $1,200 β $1,750 |
| 300 | $1,350 β $1,750 | $2,200 β $2,550 |
| 500 | $1,750 β $2,225 | $3,750 β $4,500 |
Indoor vs Outdoor Pond
Another important factor in determining your koi pond maintenance costs is whether you choose an indoor or outdoor setup. Outdoor ponds can require extra insulation materials in order to keep them from freezing over during cold weather months (though you can get your koi pond set up to be fine with the top freezing over during winter). This results in higher installation and maintenance costs than those for an indoor-only setup.
Also, outdoor ponds frequently require extra filtration systems or aerators since they are exposed to more contaminants than indoor ponds. All of this adds up when considering overall maintenance costs for an outdoor koi pond setup versus an indoor one.
Additions
Additions like koi pond lights, extra filters, water treatment devices, and others can raise the cost of maintaining a koi pond. Lights may need cleaning or replacing, all the filters need cleaning, water treatment devices need refilling or replacing, and more. All of this adds time and labor, which needs to be incorporated into the cost.
Liners
There are different types of liners made from various materials. Not every material can handle the same type of cleaning, whether it’s from how much cleaning it can take or if a certain chemical can damage it. This is one of the reasons why it’s best for most koi pond owners to hire a professional. Pros have work warranties as well as the knowledge, tools, and experience to maintain koi ponds.
*At Amen Corner Ponds, we use EPDM rubber liners. We cover them with rocks and gravel to help protect them from damage and provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow (they help keep the water clean and clear).
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Koi Pond?
Average Koi Pond Cost
The average size koi pond costs around $16,500 to install.
Large Koi Pond Cost
Large koi ponds can cost from $29,000 to $90,000 and higher to build.
Small Koi Pond Cost
The cost of building a small koi pond starts at a few thousand and goes up to $12,500 and higher.
Common Koi Pond FAQs
Cost To Fill A Koi Pond
Filling a koi pond with water costs an average of $2,375 and ranges from $2,200 to $2,550. This doesn’t include the costs for any water treatments needed to keep the water clean and clear or make it fish friendly. Draining the pond first costs an average of $1,550 and ranges from $1,350 to $1,750.
Are Koi Ponds High-Maintenance?
It depends on the type of koi pond you get. An ecosystem koi pond needs less maintenance because it’s set up to mostly care for itself. All you’d need to do is clean the skimmers out once a week or so. You’ll also want to have a pond contractor do seasonal maintenance at least 3 times per year.
A normal koi garden pond will take more maintenance because it’s not built to filter the water on its own.
Are There Fish And People-Safe Pond Chemicals?
There are fish and people-safe pond chemicals. You’ll want to make absolutely sure before adding anything to your pond, so you don’t damage the ecosystem or hurt your fish.
Keep Your Pond Running Smoothly With Amen Corner Ponds
Pond maintenance is an important part of keeping your pond running smoothly. By regularly cleaning and maintaining your pond, you can help avoid costly repairs and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Amen Corner Ponds is here to help with all of your pond maintenance needs. We offer a variety of services, including pond cleaning, algae control, and fish care, to help you keep your pond healthy and looking great. Fill out our contact form today to get started!
