How to Choose the Right Denver Pond Builder

Thinking about adding a pond to your backyard or business space? Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing koi pond, a low-maintenance pondless waterfall, or even a natural swim pond, one decision matters more than anything else –who you hire to build it.

Here in the Denver area, where our terrain and weather are as unique as our scenery, choosing the right pond contractor can make or break your project. At BR&D Landscape, we know the challenges that come with Colorado’s climate, soil, and high-altitude conditions—and how to turn them into something beautiful.

How to Choose the Right Denver Pond Builder

Why Experience Counts

There’s a big difference between a general landscaper and a team that specializes in ponds and water features. A good pond builder doesn’t just know how to dig a hole and fill it with water—they understand how to build a living, breathing ecosystem.

At BR&D Landscape, water features are what we do. We’ve built and maintained hundreds of ponds across the Denver metro—from flowing streams in Boulder to koi ponds in Highlands Ranch—and we know how to make them work with Colorado’s unique landscape.

Look for a contractor who knows:

  • How to design for water flow on sloped terrain
  • How to install fish-safe filtration and aeration
  • The right materials to use in freeze-thaw conditions
  • How to prevent long-term leaks and erosion

Local Knowledge Is Everything

Colorado’s soil can range from sandy to dense clay, and we often deal with steep grades, high winds, and sun exposure. A pond builder who knows how to handle local challenges—like freeze-thaw cycles and heavy summer storms—is key to building something that lasts.

Make sure your contractor understands:

  • How to grade properly to manage runoff
  • Which native plants and rocks work best
  • How to position the pond to handle full sun and prevent algae blooms
  • The importance of seasonal maintenance in a high-altitude climate

What to Ask Before You Hire

Not sure what to look for? Here are some questions to help you pick the right builder:

How many water features have you installed?

You want someone with experience—not just one or two past jobs.

Can I see your previous projects?

Photos and customer references go a long way. A confident contractor will be happy to show off their work.

Do you offer maintenance plans?

Every pond needs care over time. Look for a builder who offers seasonal cleanouts, equipment checks, and algae control.

Do you design eco-friendly systems?

The best ponds use natural filtration (like plants, rocks, and bacteria) to keep the water clean with minimal chemicals.

Are you certified with a trusted network like Aquascape?

Certification shows they’re serious about training, quality, and best practices.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Avoid contractors who:

  • Say they can “add a pond” as part of a general landscape job
  • Use concrete bottoms without proper filtration
  • Don’t offer or mention any type of follow-up maintenance

Ponds are a specialty, not a side gig. Poor construction often leads to expensive repairs down the road.

Why Denver Homeowners Trust BR&D Landscaping

At BR&D Landscape, we’re proud to be Denver’s go-to water feature experts. We’re not just landscapers—we’re pond builders, outdoor designers, and ecosystem caretakers.

What sets us apart:

  • Custom-designed ponds built for Colorado weather
  • Natural stone and planting choices that blend with your property
  • Ecosystem-based designs that reduce upkeep and increase water quality
  • Year-round service plans
  • Rave reviews from homeowners across Denver and beyond

“They completely transformed our backyard with a pond and waterfall that fits perfectly with the Colorado landscape. It’s peaceful, natural, and exactly what we wanted.” — Client in Golden, CO

Final Thoughts: Build a Pond, Create a Retreat

A well-designed water feature isn’t just a backyard upgrade—it’s a place to relax, reconnect with nature, and enjoy your space in a new way.

If you’re in Denver, Littleton, Castle Rock, or nearby, BR&D Landscape is here to help you bring your vision to life. Whether you’re starting fresh or renovating an existing feature, we’ll help you build something beautiful, functional, and built to last in the Colorado climate. Contact us to get a conversation started.

Published On: August 1, 2025

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My family and I were looking to do something different with the hillside portion of my landscape. It was nothing other than native grass, difficult to maintain, and really just lacking any backyard appeal for the size of landscape that I have. We were leery of Colorado landscapers. One company wanted to remove and or move existing shrubs and plantings to move in equipment (for some reason, they refused to use the readily available open space). Other companies refused to itemize their quotes and tell us exactly what they were planning to put in our backyard (to me it seemed like they didn’t want the customer to see how the amount of product lined up (or didn’t line up) with projected costs). I basically just halted the process and waited an additional year to move forward on the construction of a pond. When I did move forward it was with BR&D.

I found BR&D from Aquascape. They came highly recommended, and seemed like a good local company to partner with. When I first met Brett (Owner) and Tyler (Senior Foreman) at my home, I was extremely relieved at not getting a lofty sales pitch. They were much more interested in what they could carve out in my landscape, what I would be happy with, and actually went into detail about the maintenance involved in the various options we talked about for about an hour and a half. I hired them on the spot, and I couldn’t be more happier with the results. The company is very detail oriented. Tyler is a perfectionist. There was always a senior member of the company present on my project; everyday, without fail. The products that were used, were as promised, and the installation of those products was checked, double checked, and checked again, daily, until closeout of the project. We do a lot of landscaping ourselves and hence was pretty much in the landscape on a daily basis while the pond construction was in progress. Rather than get annoyed at that, BR&D seemed to get more excited about the project and used the time to give us tips, and further explain details of remaining phases of construction. My pond has run consistently without fail for a year now. That includes through the winter where temperatures dropped to around -20F in my area. I am the only person in my neighborhood that has had a pond running consistently through fall, through spring, through summer, and completely through winter.

I’d also like to point out that communication with the company has been nothing short of A+. This is a busy company, but they make you feel like you’re their highest priority when you have an issue. The company has responded to my queries on weekends and times that I would consider outside of standard business hours. One thing I’ve never heard from BR&D is “it’s your fault”. This company has never accused me, the customer, of doing anything in an effort to remove themselves from a situation. They have simply addressed all of my concerns – in some cases in less than 24 hours. As a new pond owner I’ve definitely made mistakes, but BR&D, have offered encouragement, and education on how to keep a stocked pond thriving, without any attempts to sell services. They turned a rather large useless portion of my landscape into something spectacular. They are into the art and science of what they do; the group deserves good clients, that are serious about what they want to build. I would highly recommend contacting and contracting BR&D for your landscaping needs. In my experience, they are a rarity in Colorado.

Joseph Lawson

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