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Testimonials
Pond & Fountain Installation in Hartford County, CT
Searching for a reliable water feature installer in Hartford County? Excellence Masonry and Contracting serves towns like Avon and Simsbury, installing high-quality ponds, fountains, and pondless waterfalls.
The secret to a clear, low-maintenance pond or water feature lies in creating a balanced ecosystem, which is a science. We achieve this by properly sizing the pump to ensure the entire volume of water is circulated at least once per hour. More importantly, we design a multi-stage filtration system, including a mechanical skimmer to remove large debris and a biological filter (a "biofall") where beneficial bacteria colonize and naturally break down waste. This combination of robust circulation and biological filtration is what prevents the algae blooms and murky water that plague poorly designed features.
Why Choose Us?
There are many construction, landscaping, outdoor living, and design companies to choose from- here is what makes us different.
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Our Approach is Thorough and Integrated- no stone is left unturned, and as a design-build company, we have an unmatched ability to assess, plan, and execute projects efficiently.
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The Team We Have is Experienced and Robust- our construction team is comprised of experts who are our family, friends, as well as long-time employees and subcontractors. Our company sprouted from a family business started 25+ years ago, and some members of our crew have more than 50 years of experience.
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Industry-Leading Warranties and a Client for Life Guarantee- on new installations and applicable repairs, we provide warranties well beyond State minimums, and well beyond what most construction, landscaping, masonry, or other companies offer. Our client for life guarantee means that we intend to stand by you and our work, for the life of our business. Our goal is to provide many services and complete many projects for you and the people you know over time. With this intention, we will always be available to address issues, make repairs, or provide maintenance for completed projects- regardless of warranty terms.
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Transparency and Consistent Communication- with us, all cards are on the table from our first conversation, through the end of the project. We want to provide you with all pertinent details, considerations, and options so you are educated and completely in control of your project and your money. Throughout the project, we uphold this commitment to transparency and communication by providing daily updates and informing you of any changes or new information immediately.
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Commitment to Professional Responsibility and Top-Quality- in our view, it is our responsibility to ensure your project is done to the highest possible standard within your budget and within the parameters of feasibility. You will not feel like it is "on you" to know what's best or to manage the project when you work with us, which is a common complaint we hear from clients' past experiences. We also have a commitment to top quality, which we display in our work, our team, our industry partners, and our process.
Our Approach to Projects
Of course, every project and every situation is different, and so is our approach.. Below is a general and simplified outline of our process. We can also bid and build to your preexisting plan or design.
1.
Discovery/Consultation
We start with a conversation to understand your intent for the project, assess your property, and determine the best next step- usually a rough estimate, quote or design agreement. Rough pricing, options, and preliminary considerations are discussed. Email, call or fill the form below to get in touch!
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Design / Planning
The design and planning phase is where we value engineer your project- and establish the scope of work, project pricing, and our installation/construction plan. This phase will look a bit different for each project and each scenario, with some requiring more design and pre-construction work than others.
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Construction
This is when the proposed plan comes to life! Expect a stress-free, transparent, and efficient construction experience due to our thorough design and planning process and consistent communication. Our team respects you, your project, and your property.
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Walk-Thru & Clean-Up
After the project is completed, we will walk through the project to go over any pertinent information and maintenance information, as well as to confirm that the project is completed as expected.
FAQ's
What is a 'pondless' waterfall and what are its benefits?
A pondless waterfall is a recirculating stream and waterfall system where the water reservoir is hidden underground. Its main benefits are safety (no open water for children or pets) and very low maintenance, as it operates without the ecological challenges of a full pond.
What kind of maintenance does a water feature require?
Maintenance varies by type. Ponds require regular debris skimming, filter cleaning, and occasional water treatments to maintain balance. Pondless waterfalls are much lower maintenance, typically only needing to be topped off with water occasionally due to evaporation.
Can you build a water feature in a small space?
Absolutely. Water features can be scaled to fit any space. For smaller patios or gardens, bubbling urns, basalt columns, or small wall fountains are excellent options that provide the sound and beauty of water without requiring a large footprint.
Do I need to run my waterfall pump 24/7?
For ponds with fish, it's essential to run the pump and filtration 24/7 to keep the water oxygenated and clean. For decorative pondless waterfalls, you can put the pump on a timer to run only when you're home to enjoy it, saving electricity.
What is involved in building a natural-looking pond?
Creating a naturalistic pond involves careful excavation to create shelves for plants, installation of a durable liner and underlayment, strategic placement of rocks and gravel to hide the liner, and setting up a filtration system (skimmer and biofilter) to keep the water clear and healthy.
What kind of maintenance does a water feature require?
Maintenance varies by type. Ponds require regular debris skimming, filter cleaning, and occasional water treatments to maintain balance. Pondless waterfalls are much lower maintenance, typically only needing to be topped off with water occasionally due to evaporation.
What is involved in building a natural-looking pond?
Creating a naturalistic pond involves careful excavation to create shelves for plants, installation of a durable liner and underlayment, strategic placement of rocks and gravel to hide the liner, and setting up a filtration system (skimmer and biofilter) to keep the water clear and healthy.
Can you build a water feature in a small space?
Absolutely. Water features can be scaled to fit any space. For smaller patios or gardens, bubbling urns, basalt columns, or small wall fountains are excellent options that provide the sound and beauty of water without requiring a large footprint.
Do I need to run my waterfall pump 24/7?
For ponds with fish, it's essential to run the pump and filtration 24/7 to keep the water oxygenated and clean. For decorative pondless waterfalls, you can put the pump on a timer to run only when you're home to enjoy it, saving electricity.
What is a 'pondless' waterfall and what are its benefits?
A pondless waterfall is a recirculating stream and waterfall system where the water reservoir is hidden underground. Its main benefits are safety (no open water for children or pets) and very low maintenance, as it operates without the ecological challenges of a full pond.