Top 10 Questions to ask your Pond Designer about Pond Construction and Pond Designs

Having been selected among the nations top water feature contractors to build at Walt Disney's Epcot Center in March of 2007, we at Ponderiffic Adventures feel compelled to ask you to give some consideration to the 10 questions below. These are the ten questions most pond designers and pond builders prefer you never ask of them. Ponderiffic Adventures guarantees that if you confront your Pond Designer with these questions that you will increase your chances of a successful project and save time and money.

• Are you a licensed landscape contractor specializing in pond design and construction? Most pond designers and Aquascape construction contractors have a copy of their contractors license in their pond design portfolio and should be eager to show it off. Unlicensed pond construction activity happens frequently and puts both yourself and the alleged contractor at risk. Contracting without a license is a misdemeanor offense, and anyone who does so is subject to serious penalties including jail time.
• Are you a Certified Aquascape Contractor in good standing? Choosing a Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC) or a Master Aquascape Contractor will provide you with a contractor endorsed by the nations largest and most reliable water feature equipment manufacturer. All other certification programs simply don't measure up to the Aquascape industry standards of quality water feature installations. When you hire a CAC you get Aquascapes 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, if you are not completely satisfied with your product and your contractor does not remedy the situation, they lose their certification. No other industry certification is as valuable to a contractor as the CAC from Aquascape Inc. Demand the best, demand a CAC.
• Got any professional education, certificates or CEU's to enhance your credibility? In today's technical world it is imperative that a good contractor serve not just as a water feature builder but as an outdoor living consultant. They should be well rounded in the science of pond building as it applies to ecology. Ask to see any certificates, diplomas and credentials/affiliations.
• What is your guarantee on your pond construction workmanship? The California State Law requires landscape contractors to guarantee all workmanship and materiails for one year. If you contract with an unlicensed contractor to save money, you may be out of luck.
• Do you provide all customers with a copy of their right and notice of cancellation? California State Law requires all contractors to offer "Notice of Cancellation within three days for a full refund" forms to all customers. The buyer in a home solicitation contract has the right to cancel the contract at any time prior to midnight of the third business day following the signing of the pond design contract. Business days, in this case, include all calendar days except Sundays and legal holidays.
• Do you have proof of your General Liability Insurance and Bond? State law in CA requires that all contractors completing projects over 500 dollars in cost provide liability insurance and a performance bond.
• How long does the project take and with what type of materials? Decent water feature contractors will not work multiple projects on you and take forever to complete yours. Ponderiffic Adventures uses the industry's best materials and will also utilize concrete in many projects to ensure that each construction project is stable and will last for generations.
• Ask about their brand of equipment installed and their standing with the manufacturer? A good contractor will be familiar with most makes and brands of water gardening equipment and the various functions of the pond kit components. A decent contractor should have one or two main brands that they identify themselves with for sales purposes.
• Do you have a design portfolio and pond construction testimonials? A good contractor will have either a laptop equipped with a nice slide show or a large notebook filled with letters from customers and pics of jobs well done. Most should also provide professional references and invite you to look over outdoor displays or to visit customers ponds.
• Do you give free estimates? Phone estimates are always freely given while on-site design consultations are sometimes charged for by contractors who lack sales consultants to cover distinct sales territories. A decent contractor is in good financial position to offer free estimates and will arrange to meet you at the jobsite at a time that is convenient for you.