| Those who are "do-it-yourselfers" know that the best | | | | water. If you know how to go about the sealing |
| and least expensive way to accomplish a task is to | | | | process, whether you should have a drain and how to |
| pull out the work gloves and get after it. But does that | | | | choose the best place for your pond, you may very |
| include projects that require construction equipment? | | | | well be in a position to rent a bulldozer and build your |
| There are several things to ask yourself before you | | | | own pond. |
| decide whether to rent (or buy) construction equipment | | | | Think you're going to need a series of ponds? In that |
| or to call in the pros. | | | | case, you need to carefully consider how long it will |
| Two of the most important things to consider are cost | | | | take you to do the digging and get a good estimate |
| and size of the project. Have you always wanted a | | | | for the cost of renting the construction equipment you |
| pond? There's really nothing stopping you from building | | | | need for the entire project. Don't overlook |
| one if you have enough land and there are no zoning | | | | transportation fees, especially if you plan to only use |
| laws restricting it. That's going to be a pretty big | | | | the equipment for a few days, send it back and then |
| project and you might be surprised how much earth | | | | rent again. Don't overlook your time. If you're taking |
| has to be moved to create even a small pond for | | | | time off work, figure that into the cost of renting. |
| watering livestock. | | | | Compare that to the cost of hiring someone who |
| Think you're not qualified to operate construction | | | | owns the construction equipment to get the project |
| equipment? You might be right. If you've never | | | | completed. If it's a big project, consider purchasing your |
| operated a bulldozer, you're going to quickly find out | | | | own construction equipment. After you're done, you |
| that those professionals only make it look easy. | | | | can always sell the equipment to regain at least part |
| There's a lot to learn before you can successfully | | | | of your investment. |
| move dirt the way it's supposed to be moved. But | | | | Whether you're talking about a bulldozer for a major |
| even if you know how to run a bulldozer or other | | | | earth-moving project, a Ditch Witch to lay cable or |
| construction equipment, you may not have enough | | | | water lines, or a jackhammer to bust up a concrete |
| knowledge to put the equipment to proper use. | | | | pad, you may be surprised at how affordable renting |
| If you know anything about ponds, you know that just | | | | construction equipment can be. |
| digging a hole isn't going to get you a pond that holds | | | | |