The ultimate dream for a waterfall or pond builder is to have a huge rock selection to choose from in order to pick out every character rock possible for the feature. What is a character rock? Character rocks are theMore…
Contractor's Corner
Contractor’s Corner | Pond for Patriots
Retired Army couple’s new waterscape mimics nature
We were contacted by a couple who had recently retired from the Army. Both had served at least 20 years. We are located right outside the world’s largest military base by population, Fort Bragg, so it is always our pleasureMore…
Contractor’s Corner | Waterfalls for Mom
Repaying the diaper debt by creating family waterscapes
If I go back far enough, I have to credit my mom for cultivating my passion for building waterfalls. I remember being 5 or 6 years old and messing with the rocks, liner and pumps in our backyard. We hadMore…
Contractor’s Corner | Art Imitates Life
Aquatic portal adds art, audio & serenity to backyard landscape
One day, I got a text message from Patrick at Virginia Beach Patios. He sent over a picture of a metal arch. I called him back and asked what exactly he wanted me to do with it. “My client wantsMore…
Contractor’s Corner | The Path to Finding Peace
Carving out the perfect path to an oasis in close quarters
When you’re at peace, you are engaged with life while also feeling relatively relaxed, calm and safe. You are protected from stress. Your immune system grows stronger. You become more resilient. Building a peaceful sanctuary was the end goal ofMore…
Contractor’s Corner | Babble Around the Water Cooler
A refreshing upgrade to the office break room
Every job starts with a phone call, and this particular call was no different — except it’s not every day that your job site is an office building that was built in the early 1940s. When we arrived to meetMore…
Contractor’s Corner | What a Zoo!
Contractors unite to upgrade koi-feeding exhibit
In July 2019, we received a phone call from Mary Anne Hahn, owner of the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, a family-owned nonprofit organization in Thurmont, Maryland. She explained that they were experiencing problems with their koi-feeding experience exhibit at theMore…
Contractor’s Corner | Gotta Have More Pond!
Tips for expanding your customer’s existing pond
In my 46 years of building water features and ponds, I have never been told that I’ve built one that was too big. On the contrary, I have been tasked to expand quite a few ponds — some I didn’tMore…
Contractor’s Corner | A Labor of Love
Dream water garden doubles as a memorial pond
My addiction to water gardening began back in 2000 when a local Aquascape supplier, Hedberg Supply, had their annual pond tour. From that year to the fall of 2007, I accumulated many pictures and articles of other homeowners’ water featuresMore…
Contractor’s Corner | Let There Be Light!
Shedding some sunshine on a cloudy koi pond
In our line of work, customer satisfaction and the ability to create a good build are paramount if you want to stay in business long term. More important, though, is the understanding that we can always learn, grow, and becomeMore…