All the Right Questions

Sherry Koontz, president of Carolina Pondscapes in Thomasville, N.C., makes sure to ask her clients all the right questions to create their perfect water feature. Below are some sample questions from the company’s 14-itemed survey, or “inspiration sheet.”

1. Why do you want a water feature?

2. What do you expect from the water feature?

3. What type of water feature you are interested in? 
-Water garden (lots of plants, gold fish, some Koi)     
-Koi Pond (designed specifically for Koi)
-Pondless Waterfall (less maintenance, does not contain water surface)  
-Formal (stone or brick veneer with fountain)         
      
4. Is the location you have chosen the lowest point of the yard? 
      
5. Do you have a septic system near the pond location?  

6. Are there electrical and/or water sources near the pond?           

7. Do you need an automatic water-fill valve to replace evaporated water?          

8. What is your budget for the water feature?     

9. Will you maintain the water feature or will you need a maintenance contract?               

10. Are there drainage problems near the water feature’s location?