Free pond - see any problem?

[TripleR]

We had four ponds dug, one 5 acres, one 8 acres and two half acre water management ponds. It took every bit of dirt for the levies. We go the specs from Soil Conservation. Right after construction was completed, we had a week of on and off rains that blew two of the levies out, but the builder had to repair both by contract. A lot more to think about than I ever imagined.

 

[TomIre]

One way that I can look at it is this. Go the professional route - contracts, surveys, soil scientists, etc except I don't have the coin for that. Or, roll the dice with this guy. I'm thinking worst that can happen is a muddy mess that I have to clean up. The best is a functioning pond and no out of pocket.
The risk/reward ratio seems to be clear to me.
I appreciate all the input and in an ideal world I'd love to go the pro route, but . . .

 

[Zerk]

See if he will buy it from you for $10 a load and have a contract, been here before.

Is making $200 the point? Kinda big deal. Though I dunno how many loads. But to me money is not the issue. But to me the question is, is this beneficial to both of us?


IMO decide if you want a pond or not and is he going to do it right.

Read up and ask him about making ponds. Could be win-win.

 

[Zerk]

One way that I can look at it is this. Go the professional route - contracts, surveys, soil scientists, etc except I don't have the coin for that. Or, roll the dice with this guy. I'm thinking worst that can happen is a muddy mess that I have to clean up. The best is a functioning pond and no out of pocket.
The risk/reward ratio seems to be clear to me.
I appreciate all the input and in an ideal world I'd love to go the pro route, but . . .

I am kinda with you on this. I am not spending thousands on this. If the other ones he did turned out nice. If he explains how he does it, I'd just do it.

As long as not in front yard, or my entire property, I'd probably give it a whirl, if other ones look good.


Mosquitoes need some place. Which is something to think about.

 

[TomIre]

Mosquitoes need some place. Which is something to think about.

Good point!

 

[Zerk]

Personally... I wouldn't let anyone on my property for any reason.

If taken literally, this comes off a bit tin foil hatted, and difficult to practice what you preach. Not that I am against a good stand off.

I am glad UPS guy comes, and my propane delivery, hopefully EMT or fire department if ever needed. The electric company......

 

[Zerk]

I'd like to make one the old fashioned way, with a big fertilizer bomb. Just for the fun of it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yeah, I have known a few people who dug a dry hole. Or wet in the spring only.

Also, have the funds ready to complete the job. If for any reason, he digs half the thing and quits, be prepared. It could be hard to get someone to finish something that was supposed to be free. I mean, you really can't ask for it, but a bond to cover any undone work would be nice.

It reminds me of a great MASH episode where there was a long train of borrowing and favors. At the end, it all came undone and everybody was claiming their stuff from people who had no clue what had transpired beyond their agreement.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

If taken literally, this comes off a bit tin foil hatted, and difficult to practice what you preach. Not that I am against a good stand off.

I am glad UPS guy comes, and my propane delivery, hopefully EMT or fire department if ever needed. The electric company......

Well, maybe I'll make an exception for you...

 

[dragoneggs]

Sounds like a great deal. If I wanted a pond, and I had a good spot for it to be dug, I would be all over this. But I don't trust anybody, so I would ask for a clean up deposit, or a deposit to ensure that the pond and your land is left the way you want it when he's done. I don't know how much to ask for. Maybe $5,000? Just put it all down on paper. The size of the pond, the features that you want in the pond, like having it sloped so you can mow around it, and having the work area smoothed out from ruts. Probably give him a deadline too. One year? two years? or whatever you both agree too. Might also include something about not storing anything there, like other equipment or vehicles. Your goal is to cover yourself and to have some sort of leverage to make sure that he does what he says he will.

I'd say some smart talk there, Eddie.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Now, the tables turn and the man has to trust you with his depost. So why not just get lawyers involved and forget the whole thing?

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

You would have to have some really special dirt, the man wants, to get him to give a deposit.

 

[dragoneggs]

Now, the tables turn and the man has to trust you with his depost. So why not just get lawyers involved and forget the whole thing?

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

You would have to have some really special dirt, the man wants, to get him to give a deposit.

Doubt it.

Don't need lawyers, just document what are the expectations. The guy is looking to profit and wants to get the dirt as cheap as possible. He has to appreciate 'free' involves more than just scooping and hauling dirt for his business. If you don't have any recourse (a deposit) then the deck is stacked in his favor. A deposit protects you in case he walks away without finishing.

Is he licensed and bonded? I would check on that too.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

 

[dragoneggs]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

Agreed. Checking out references goes a long way with me. Definitely would reduce the amount of safeguards to be comfortable. I am all for handshake deals but one needs to be smart if it doesn't go to plan... who gets stiffed?

 

[EddieWalker]

It's supposed to be a handshake deal with no money involved.

Why? Who says so?

 

[TomIre]

If he has done such deals with good references, that is a major assurance. I just meant that, things can always go wrong, and you should be prepared to pick up the pieces and cost. Still, you would have got some work done for free.

This summarizes my approach. I think it will work. If it doesn't, I'm thinking the consequences aren't really all that bad. Worst case, I have to clean up a muddy mess - not that big a deal.
By nature, I'd rather look for good in people than worry about the bad.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Consider building the pond with an island in it. If you want ducks etc, the island can be a great haven for them. Much easier to add the island from day 1. I am trying to figure out how to add an island to my pond. Much harder!

 

[aczlan]

Agreed. Checking out references goes a long way with me. Definitely would reduce the amount of safeguards to be comfortable. I am all for handshake deals but one needs to be smart if it doesn't go to plan... who gets stiffed?

Specifically, if he has done a deal like this before, I would want to talk to the last person who he dug a free pond for to see how what their experience was.
I would also check to make sure that it would not qualify as a borrow pit and require a mining permit...

Aaron Z

 

[airbiscuit]

Beautiful!

 

[Molalla1]

Consider building the pond with an island in it. If you want ducks etc, the island can be a great haven for them. Much easier to add the island from day 1. I am trying to figure out how to add an island to my pond. Much harder!

View attachment 597068

I built mine years ago and left a island in the middle of it has a huge oak on it, and has so much wildlife on it . . . they love it (ducks etc.).