# Opinions wanted on a contractor’s estimate **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097 "2026-08-02T16:33:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/1 "2026-08-02T16:33:05Z")
[[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/xocRQ9X.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/wz33KPR) I’d like to know what people think of an estimate to repair the pond at my cabin, please. It’s developed a leak that is getting worse. A contractor has quoted the price of $7,500 to repair the bank where the leak has developed and I just don’t have any experience in this area. The terrain is tough around the pond, limiting what machinery he could use, meaning it’s going to require a lot of labor. I’d especially be interested if anyone else has had this kind of work done in the past. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/2 "2026-08-02T16:43:06Z")
Is it a natural spring or stream-fed pond, or one created by using a liner? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/3 "2026-08-02T16:46:41Z")
Funny, we got the same problem. My son has been trying to repair the dam on my pond. Beaver have built their own dam over the spring that feeds the pond. I don’t believe their dam is causing too much problem. The water still comes thru just slower. We’ve had loads of rain. So the water level is maintainable. $7500 seems a mite high. Is that your only estimate? My son can drive most heavy equipment. He’s using the tractor and a shovel. Wants to get a small backhoe. I’m reticent to rent one. He tends to be hard on equipment. Ends up being more expensive. This kinda work is always iffy. I’m not at all convinced it’s always successful. I tend to lean on the side of let Mother Nature do what she does. I know you don’t want your pond to disappear. If you are sure this is the right thing to do you’ll have to suck up the cost. ETA…if it’s a man made pond I don’t know. Those liners ain’t cheap. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/4 "2026-08-02T16:58:26Z")
I can’t help with the estimate but I would ask what sealing method they propose. We had leaks repaired at our club’s pond and they used bentonite clay which is the best. Same thing most kitty litter is made from. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/5 "2026-08-02T17:04:39Z")
It is natural spring fed. There is a spring at the top of them mountain that flows down and forms a series of ponds and then flows out to the next pond. There are a series of cabins along the road and each one has a pond like this from the stream. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/6 "2026-08-02T17:06:11Z")
His method is the same, he would pump out the water until he could get to the leak and repair it with the clay. He’d also have to divert the spring flowing in until the repairs are complete. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/7 "2026-08-02T17:14:44Z")
$7500 seems reasonable for all that. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/8 "2026-08-02T18:17:48Z")
[This worked for a farmer friend of mine.](https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/natural-resources/pond-management/farm-ponds/leaking-farm-ponds/) > Livestock > > Cattle or hogs trampling a pond basin can sometimes be used to seal permeable soil. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/9 "2026-08-02T19:56:49Z")
I think it would easier to just hire a contractor. There are fish, frogs, snakes and turtles in the pond that we’re trying to preserve ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/10 "2026-08-02T20:27:46Z")
I’d wonder if stream diversion requires a permit. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/11 "2026-08-02T20:59:37Z")
Have they promised to solve the problem, or have they promised the fix what _might_ be the problem? “Whoopsie! I guess that wasn’t a solution after all. That will be $7500, thank you.” ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/12 "2026-08-02T21:26:58Z")
Where are you located? Tagging @Aspenglow because I believe they are dealing with similar pond repairs. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/13 "2026-08-02T21:48:35Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > Tagging @Aspenglow because I believe they are dealing with similar pond repairs. I am. I’ll certainly share what’s going on with mine. What a pisser, eh, @madmonk28? > [@mixdenny](#): > > I can’t help with the estimate but I would ask what sealing method they propose. We had leaks repaired at our club’s pond and they used bentonite clay which is the best. Same thing most kitty litter is made from. I felt fortunate to find a very nice local fellow who knows a lot about how to do this. He agrees that the bentonite clay fix is the way to go. In my case, we kind of worked out a barter, because he wants to come hunt for Chanterelle mushrooms on my property. I’m fine with that. He quoted me about $950 for materials (includes materials to shore up a little dock) and then a straight labor charge of $125/hr. He doesn’t think the work is going to take that long. I should mention, however, that my leak is straight through the bottom of the pond, so no need to drain. That’s mostly already done except for a low spot where the water continues to collect. All told, I expect it will cost no more than $2,500. But again, drainage and diversion are not an issue with this leak. Good luck, truly. This is a weird problem to have! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/14 "2026-08-02T22:27:10Z")
Thanks, my leak is on the side of the berm and eroding the hill side. The terrain around the pond is not suitable for much machinery, so this will be labor intensive. If we did nothing the pond would drain and the berm would probably collapse, so we pretty much have to fix it. If we didn’t do anything the damage to the pond would wreck the resale value. It is a weird problem and one that I had never thought about before. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/15 "2026-08-04T14:10:16Z")
Contractor here. Think of it as $100/hr, which by the time you subtract taxes, worker’s comp and overhead is probably the bare minimum. So, 75 hours to divert the inflow which may not be that easy, drain the pond, add what is likely a couple tons of bentonite, all while trying to not absolutely trash everything. Less than 2 weeks for 2 people. Seems reasonable to optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/16 "2026-08-04T14:16:43Z")
Thanks. You touch on another concern, I don’t want him to get into it and then find it will be too big a job at that price. He has built ponds before, so I don’t _think so,_ but I specifically told him to give me the price that is the price. Appreciate your taking the time to answer. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/17 "2026-08-04T14:21:11Z")
Have you contacted your insurance company? This a hazard in that if it fails you could be liable for damage to neighboring property… Our property burned (but not the house). Landscape damage was limited to 5% of the policy, but that was $50k. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/18 "2026-08-04T14:28:38Z")
We haven’t. The land where it would fail is just a swampy tangle of woods (ETA: and is my swampy tangle). We’re using a home improvement line of credit. It’s not flowing really hard, yet, just a steady trickle and lowring of the pond. I’m leaning towards pulling the trigger this week. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/19 "2026-08-04T14:40:50Z")
It’s a nice pond! Give her a little love. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097/20 "2026-08-04T14:50:08Z")
For sure, just trying to make sure we do it correctly. We get migratory waterfowl, mink, bears, deer and cranes. One of the things I like to do is float around it in the kayak and read a book. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-on-a-contractor-s-estimate/1032097.md?page=2)