Discover Waterfall Prices so You Can Feel Confident In Your Decision
@grassrootspandg This was such a fun project! #koipond #puremichigan ♬ Summer – Instrumental – Devinney
Are you thinking about adding a backyard waterfall to your outdoor space? Are you wondering how much it costs to get a backyard waterfall installation?
In this blog post, we will discuss the cost of a pondless waterfall, including what factors come into play when calculating the total cost.
By the end of this blog post, you will have a good idea of how much you can expect to pay for a backyard waterfall so you can budget for your pondless waterfall construction project.
Keep reading to learn about backyard waterfall costs!
How Much Does a Pondless Waterfall Cost?
The cost to install a pondless waterfall goes from $6,000 to $59,000 or more, depending on size, design complexity, and materials. Smaller waterfalls are more affordable, while larger, intricate designs or features like custom rockwork, lighting, and advanced filtration systems increase the cost.
Contact us today to discover your pondless waterfall cost.
Backyard Pondless Waterfall Costs In Detroit
A waterfall with a pool or pond in the Detroit area can run as little as $450 for a small DIY kit to as much as $18,000 for a large grotto-style installation with extra features such as customized lighting. On the other hand, a small, basic pondless waterfall–which flows into a reservoir under the ground instead of a pond–typically costs $1,500 to $5,000 plus.
High-End Backyard Pondless Waterfall Costs
Unlike DIY waterfall kits and other types of low-end waterfall installations, we at Grass Roots Pond & Garden Center pride ourselves on building all of our custom pondless waterfall installations by hand and using only premium materials and components.
We have three tiers of pondless waterfall installations: basic, average, and high-end:
Basic Pondless Waterfall Cost: $6,000+
This option includes an AquaBasin, a 10×10 liner, a 12’ waterfall with a spillway, an Aquasurge 2k pump, up to 3 tons of granite boulders, 2 yards of soil, and a 6’ stream. This compact and visually striking feature can be completed in just 1-2 days, making it an efficient and impactful addition to your yard.
Average Pondless Waterfall Cost: $20,000+
This option features 15×15 and 20×15 liners, a 22’ waterfall with a spillway, an SLD 4k-7k pump, up to 5 tons of granite boulders, up to 15 yards of soil, and a stream up to 14’ in length. This larger installation provides a more expansive and dramatic water feature and is typically completed within 2-3 days.
High-End Pondless Waterfall Cost: $59,000+
This option includes two vaults, 15×20 and 20×50 liners, two 22’ waterfalls with spillways, two 9PL pumps, 20 tons of granite boulders, 30 yards of soil, and a 30’ stream. This grand feature takes 5-7 days to complete and creates an unmatched, immersive experience in your yard.
What’s the cost to build a koi pond?
What Cost Factors Affect the Backyard Waterfall Price?
Here are some key factors that will affect the cost of installing a backyard waterfall:
Size of the Pondless Waterfall
The size of your backyard waterfall is one factor that will determine how much it will cost. Generally speaking, larger outdoor waterfalls tend to cost more than smaller ones because they require more materials and labor.
While there are many other variables that can change the cost of a waterfall, the following breakdown of waterfall costs by size may help you get a better sense of how size can impact the cost:
- Less than 3 square feet: $100-$1,000
- Less than 12 square feet: $250-$10,000
- Greater than 12 square feet: $1,000-$20,000
Complexity of the Pondless Waterfall
What type of design do you want for your waterfall? Do you prefer a natural look or a more modern one? Natural waterfalls typically have several levels and give off a rustic vibe, whereas modern ones tend to feature fewer levels with clean lines and sharp edges.
The complexity of your backyard waterfall design will affect the cost. If you choose a simple design, it will be less expensive than a more complex one. For example, if you want multiple levels or cascading streams in your waterfall design, it will likely be more expensive than if you stick with a single waterfall drop.
Some designs are simple and straightforward, while others may require custom masonry work. This will affect both the amount of labor needed as well as the number of materials used.
Type of Pondless Waterfall
There are many different types of waterfalls, including pre-formed and custom-built.
Pre-formed waterfalls: Pre-formed or readymade waterfalls are less expensive than custom-built ones because they require less labor to install. Pre-formed waterfalls are usually what you get if you purchase a waterfall kit for a DIY installation. They are typically made out of rigid plastic. This type of waterfall can cost as little as $100.
Custom-built waterfalls: Custom-built waterfalls can be designed to fit any space and can be made from a variety of materials. This type of waterfall includes anything built by a water feature contractor, and the prices vary depending on your customization options. Custom-built waterfalls usually fall into one of the three major types of backyard waterfalls: pondless waterfalls, pool waterfalls, or pond waterfalls.
Pondless waterfalls: Also known as dry or disappearing waterfalls, these are designed to look like a normal waterfall without the need for a body of water beneath it. This is a low-maintenance option perfect for those not wanting to deal with the cleaning and care that comes along with having an actual pond in their backyard. Pondless waterfalls are available in varying sizes but are especially ideal for small spaces.
A pondless waterfall recirculates the water, using a pump underground and rocks and gravel to filter it before sending it back up to create the surprisingly realistic effect of flowing water on your property. Keeping in mind that there are many other factors that can push the total cost higher, the average cost of these features typically ranges from $100-$5,000, according to Fixr.
Pool waterfalls: As the name suggests, this type of waterfall is designed so the water flow is directed into a backyard pool. According to Fixr, this type of waterfall can cost anywhere from $250 to $15,000.
Pond waterfalls: These types of outdoor waterfalls are designed to flow into a pond. Again, depending on your specific situation, this waterfall can cost anywhere from $250 to $20,000, according to Fixr.
Who You Hire to Install Your Pondless Waterfall
Who you hire to install your waterfall can make all the difference in terms of both quality and price. Professional contractors who specialize in building these features will typically charge more than someone who does not have specialized experience or training in the area.
Always make sure that any contractor you hire is licensed and insured in order to protect yourself from potential issues down the line. You should also ask for references from past clients before making any commitments.
If you want a high-end waterfall, you will need to hire a professional in order to get the premium appearance and functionality of that level of waterfall. And if you’re interested in building your own waterfall, be sure to check out our guide to building a pondless waterfall.
Where You Live
The cost of installing a waterfall can vary depending on where you live due to local labor rates, material costs, and other factors such as the availability of contractors in your area. Generally speaking, you will pay more for a custom waterfall installation in an urban area than you would in a rural area.
The cost of labor will also vary from city to city. If you live in a city with a higher cost of living, then you can expect to pay more for the labor required to install a backyard water feature.
Brand of Pondless Waterfall Components
The brand of waterfall components used–such as the pumps, pipes, and reservoir–will also impact the final cost of a backyard waterfall. Higher-end brands tend to offer better quality materials, but they also come at a higher price point than generic brands or knockoffs might offer.
Some water feature installers will use low-end components that may cost less upfront but won’t last as long, causing headaches for the homeowner down the line. Here at Grass Roots Pond & Garden, we take pride in the fact that we only use high-quality components from Aquascape, the premier manufacturer of pond products.
Upgrades to Your Pondless Waterfall
Upgrading certain aspects of your design can drive up costs as well; for example, adding LED lights or special filters for a koi pond. Adding these upgrades will increase the overall cost of installation. Some popular upgrades we commonly install include:
- Aquatic Plants
- Driftwood Waterfall
- LED Lighting
- Spillway Bowls
- Container Fountains
- Autofill Features
- Water Bowls
- Bubbling Urns
- Landscaping
- Streams
- Additional Waterfalls
- Statues
- Premium Rocks/Filters
- Mystery/Hidden Waterfalls
Rock Choice for Your Pondless Waterfall
The type of rock that is used in constructing your waterfall will also have an impact on its overall cost since different rocks have different prices associated with them depending on availability and rarity, among other factors.
For instance, river rocks are usually much cheaper than polished stones since they are easier to find and don’t require additional processing after being quarried from their source location.
FAQs About Pondless Waterfalls
Is a pondless waterfall worth it?
A pondless waterfall is worth it for its beauty and tranquility with minimal maintenance. It offers the sights and sounds of a waterfall without the upkeep of a pond, making it ideal for busy homeowners or limited spaces.
How deep does a pondless waterfall need to be?
The reservoir for a pondless waterfall should be two feet deep for every foot of waterfall height. This depth supports efficient water recirculation, minimizes refilling due to evaporation, and ensures smooth pump operation for reliable performance.
Let Grass Roots Pond & Garden Build Your Backyard Waterfall Oasis
Backyard waterfalls offer homeowners an escape from their daily lives while adding beauty and value to their homes at the same time. As we discussed above, there are many factors that come into play when determining how much it’ll cost, including size, complexity, type, who you hire, where you live, brand selection, upgrades added on top of basic installation requirements, and rock choice.
Taking all these into account will help you make an informed decision about what your project might cost.
If you’re ready to take the plunge on creating your own backyard getaway–or just have questions about the potential cost and process–please don’t hesitate to fill out our contact form!
We look forward to helping bring your dream space to life.
