Are We the Right Team for Your Pond, Fountain, or Waterfall Project? (Straight Talk from Modern Design Aquascaping)

Author: John G Adams
Estimated Read Time: 11 minutes

TL;DR
Modern Design Aquascaping may not be the right fit for every pond, fountain, or waterfall project — and that’s exactly why we wrote this guide. Since the late 1990s, our family team has built, repaired, and maintained water features of every size, from small patio fountains to large-scale ponds and waterfalls worldwide. In this article, we explain the services we offer, who we are and are not a good fit for, how our maintenance programs work, and what makes our process different. By the end, you’ll know whether we’re the right team to trust with your water feature — or whether another solution might be better for your needs.

Introduction: Are We Really the Right Team for You?

If you’re here, you’re probably staring at your water feature — or dreaming of one — and asking yourself: “Is Modern Design Aquascaping the right team to trust with this?” That’s a fair question. Water features are a big deal. They’re personal. They shape the way you spend time outside with the people you love. And the truth is — we’re not the right fit for everyone.

Since the late 1990s, our family team at Modern Design has been building, repairing, and maintaining water features all over the world. From itty-bitty patio fountains to multi-million-dollar swimming ponds and waterfalls, we’ve done it. But we’ve also seen too many horror stories where people spent their hard-earned money and ended up with a mess they regretted. That’s why we lead with transparency: so you can make the right choice for your needs, whether or not it’s with us.

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

• The services we offer.
• The kinds of projects we do (and don’t) take on.
• What makes us different from other pond builders.
• How our maintenance programs work.
• Where we travel, what it costs, and what’s guaranteed.
• The next steps if you want to explore a project with us.

🎥 Video: “Are We a Good Fit for Your Water Feature Needs?”

Who Is Modern Design Aquascaping and What Do We Do?

Modern Design Aquascaping was born in East Tennessee, but our artistry has taken us across continents. Since the late ’90s, we’ve been shaping stone, water, and plants into natural-looking ponds, waterfalls, and fountains.

• We design, build, repair, and maintain ponds, fountainscapes, and waterfalls.
• We revamp and renovate old, tired features.
• We offer consultations when you just need expert eyes on your project.
• We help homeowners avoid costly mistakes by sharing education-first resources (like this one).

What Water Feature Services Do We Offer?

We cover the full spectrum of services:

• Full-service water feature maintenance programs: three levels — Essentials Memberships, Premium Memberships, and VIP Memberships.
• Single service calls: pond cleanouts, fountain maintenance, or repair visits.
• Renovations and revamps: upgrade filtration, improve functionality, refresh the look.
• New construction: whether it’s part of a brand-new landscape or added into an existing space.

Most people choose a package because it’s smarter and more affordable than buying one-off services — but we’ll always meet you where you are.

Renovation vs. Total Rebuild: How Do You Know Which One You Need?

Sometimes we walk into a project with the best intentions because someone’s got an existing water feature that needs some TLC. The truth is — you just don’t know what you don’t know.

A lot of people inherit a water feature when they buy a home, or they’ve had one for years. In the last 20 years, water features and the components available have changed dramatically. So when we show up, we start with what you want to achieve — maybe upgrades, maybe renovations, maybe just a visual refresh.

But the reality is, sometimes there are unforeseen issues. We don’t have x-ray vision or a pond crystal ball. That’s why we often start with what we call an exploratory service — an exploratory cleaning. It lets us see what’s “under the hood” so we can give you the full picture.

From there, the key is having a transparent conversation:

• What are the possibilities if we go the renovation route?
• What would it look like if we did a complete rebuild instead?
• What are the real numbers for both options?

If you’re considering a redesign or upgrade, explore our pond construction services to see what’s possible. There’s no pressure in that conversation. But when everything’s on the table, you’re in the best position to make an educated decision about what’s right for you.

Is My Project Too Small (or Too Big) for Modern Design?

Too big? LOL, We are dreaming of the day someone hits us up with a project that forces us to “stretch” the limits of our imagination! It’s going to be a 5 million + project for us to even have to think a little bigger 😉

On the flip-side? We hear this all the time: “My project is probably too small for you guys.”

The truth? Most of the time, no project is too small — but there are exceptions. A lot of people come to us with a request to install a fountain kit. Here are some examples:

• https://www.aquascapeinc.com/product-category/water-feature-kits/landscape-fountain-kits
• Diy Fountain Kit | Outdoor Garden Water Fountains | Blue Thumb
• https://www.atlantic-oase.com/products/categories/fountain

These kits are designed for step-by-step, DIY installation. There’s very little artistry involved. Not saying we can’t do a great job with one of these but we won’t be the low bidder. I’ll include a few fountain videos below, if you are interested in one of these “kits”, these videos are for you! In those cases, we’ll often recommend another contractor who can install it more cost-effectively. Why? Because our team’s pricing reflects the artistic skill and craftsmanship we bring — and it doesn’t make sense to charge premium rates for something that doesn’t require it. Not that you can’t go the extra mile with these kits, but most people don’t.

Who Is Not a Good Fit for Modern Design?

Transparency means saying up front who shouldn’t hire us.

• If your main priority is getting the lowest price, we’re not for you.
• If you’re more than two hours from Friendsville, TN and need basic maintenance or simple repairs, it’s not practical to hire us.
• If artistry isn’t important to you and you just want “something that makes noise,” we’re probably overkill.
• If you have a concrete water feature that needs repair: we don’t patch, seal, or waterproof concrete. Usually, our role is to bring in the jackhammer and replace it with something lasting.

Sometimes it helps to see it side by side. Here’s a quick look at who we’re the right fit for — and who we’re not.

Are We a Good Fit for Your Project?

Real-World Example: Knowing When to Walk Away
Our schedule is flexible by design — when a client asks to double the size of their project mid-build, we stay and do it. That means sometimes the next project starts weeks later than planned. Most of our clients understand that, but occasionally someone doesn’t.

In one case, we refunded a deposit before starting because the client’s impatience was already creating tension. We’d rather protect the experience and deliver magic from start to finish than force an unhappy outcome.

What Makes Modern Design Different from Other Pond Builders?

Lots of people can build ponds. What sets us apart is our artistry and transparency.

• Our work is globally recognized for its natural look and detail.
• We’re constantly innovating — like the online estimator we’re launching to help clients get ballpark maintenance costs before they call us.
• We maintain project pricing pages where you can see real features we’ve built, complete with today’s cost numbers.

And most importantly, our clients say it best:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐– Benji Cox, 5-Star Google Review

“I told my wife I wanted to build a mountain stream in our muddy red clay back yard. Flat and no grass. Her immediate response was “you are doing yourself!”. So I started searching. I found some beautiful pictures that looked like real mountain streams, not like artificial crap. I called and spoke directly with John Adams, the owner. He was very willing to spend a lot of time with me to answer all my questions and invited down to see many projects he had built. I spoke with some of the home owners and that all gave John great praise. Needless to say I hired him and his crew. Told him of my dream and what I wanted and gave me many better ideas. I said ok you obviously are the professional, not me. I said I have approximately this amount to spend, you have free range of my back yard, make it beautiful.

I love the results. He gave a few other ideas to make it better and with my wife’s approval after seeing the results we dug a little deeper in the pocketbook and said have at it. Now I have my own mountain stream without driving and hiking all the way to the mountains. It wasn’t long before lots of birds and other critters found it. It has become my oasis to relax and enjoy nature. We call it our “Land of Goshen” where we can get away from the world And refresh our soul. Thank you John and Tristan and the whole crew. I dare you to try to find anyone better. You really get what you pay for with these guys. They are not just pond builders, they are truly artists. And they don’t just build it and leave you. They are truly full service. If you have questions or any problems give them a call, they do their best to help They offer several layers of maintenance to come out and clean out the debris and algae and fix anything that may need repaired. Always great service and a good time catching up with some good friends. 100% approval! With appreciation!”

What Guarantees or Warranties Do You Offer?

• VIP Program: If you start VIP at the time we build your pond or waterfall and keep it going, you’re covered for everything — pumps, lights, leaks — except acts of God.
• Standard Warranty: One-year labor warranty on new installs, plus full support for manufacturer warranties.
• Reputation Standard: If it’s our fault, we’ll never charge you to fix it. Period.

Real-World Example: Rebuilding in California
After helping on a large project in California, the feature developed a leak. It wasn’t our company’s project, and I had no reason to believe it was our responsibility. But my name was attached. So our team flew back out, donated our time, and rebuilt it. The client — a man used to million-dollar cars — was blown away that someone stood behind their work like that.

Reputation matters more than anything. Our entire business is built on integrity!

What Areas Does Modern Design Serve?

• Maintenance: Typically within ~2 hours of Friendsville, TN. In special cases, we’ll travel 3–4 hours if a client values our service enough to cover the drive.
• Construction: Anywhere in the world. We’ve built in England, South America, Canada, and across the U.S.

Real-World Example: Wetland Filter in North Dakota
A client with a one-and-a-quarter-acre lake reached out after watching our YouTube videos. He needed a wetland filter big enough to move 70,000 gallons per hour. With his help and equipment, we built a 5,000-square-foot wetland filter using 1,000 AquaBlox, thousands of tons of aggregate, and massive granite boulders. The result was flawless, and it proved again that distance isn’t a barrier when the right client wants our artistry.

How Do I Choose the Right Contractor for My Water Feature?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask — because choosing the wrong contractor can be a nightmare.

Real-World Example: Thom’s Story
Thom hired a landscape contractor who promised a water feature. The problem? He didn’t have the experience — and he didn’t even follow the manuals. The feature didn’t hold water, the liners weren’t joined properly, the filters weren’t installed correctly, and the rock work was substandard. What followed was a lawsuit and a lot of frustration.

When Thom came to us, the first step was rebuilding trust. Our team delivered the feature he had wanted all along — and out of that experience came our video “Ponds Done Wrong”

Conclusion: No Regrets, Only Good Surprises

I don’t make these videos by accident. Over the years, I’ve watched too many people buy water features based on price alone — because they didn’t know any better — and it almost never turns out well. I work hard for my money, and I know everyone else does too. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone’s dream water feature turn out to be a turd.

That’s why we put so much energy into education and inspiration. Of course, we want people to hire our team. We believe deeply in what we do, and we’ll never be “too busy” to help another family change their outdoor space. But the bigger goal is that every person who dreams of a pond, a waterfall, or a fountain ends up with exactly what they want — whether it’s with us or not.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about rocks and water. It’s about living the water feature lifestyle — creating that gathering space outside where you share meals, laugh with friends, watch birds, feed fish, and build memories with the ones you love. That’s what it’s really about: helping people make the right choices for them, so their dream turns out to be better than expected.

If you’d like ongoing care after your build, our pond, waterfall, and fountain Maintenance Packages make it easy to enjoy your water feature without the hassle.

If you are ready to explore your project,

Last Updated: 08-26-2025