How much does a waterfall cost to install?
How much does a waterfall cost to install?
$2,000 – $8,800 average cost to install a pool waterfall
$4,500 – $13,600 average cost to install a pond-less waterfall
Waterfall installation cost
Waterfall installation costs $2,000 to $13,600 on average, depending on size and type. Pond-less waterfall installation costs $4,500 to $13,600, with most homeowners spending about $9,300. A pool waterfall costs $2,000 to $8,800. Indoor waterfalls cost $100 to $2,800 and most do not need professional installation.
| Waterfall type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Pond-less waterfall | $4,500 – $13,600 |
| Pool waterfall | $2,000 – $8,800 |
| Pond waterfall | $400 – $2,900 |
| Indoor electric waterfall | $100 – $2,800* |
*Not including installation.
Pool waterfall cost
Adding a waterfall to a pool costs $2,000 to $8,800 on average, depending on the features, materials, size, type, and existing site conditions. Pool waterfalls add a unique focal point and help the pool water stay clear by oxygenating it and increasing its circulation through the filtration system.
| Waterfall type | Average installed cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet fall / sheer descent | $400 – $4,600 |
|
| Rainforest / rainfall | $900 – $3,200+* |
|
| Standard rock | $1,500 – $17,600 |
|
| Grotto with waterfall | $7,500 – $40,000 |
|
Sheer descent and rainfall waterfalls may be contemporary or natural in design.
Custom rainforest waterfalls may be part of a larger lagoon-style installation including faux or real rocks.
Installers typically build a pool waterfall into the landscaping to blend with the surroundings.
Pond-less waterfall cost
A pond-less waterfall costs $4,500 to $13,600 on averageinstalled. While typically cheaper than a traditional pond, pond-less waterfalls with extra-large features like long, meandering streams reach up to $60,000. DIY pond-less waterfall kits cost $400 to $1,500+ and include all the required components.
| Size | Average installed cost |
|---|---|
| Small (2' – 4' stream) | $4,100 – $6,400 |
| Medium (5' – 8' stream) | $6,300 – $10,600 |
| Large (9' – 16' stream) | $9,900 – $21,900 |
| Extra Large (17' – 25+' stream) | $20,000 – $52,700+ |
Pond waterfall cost
Adding a waterfall to an existing pond costs $400 to $2,900, depending on the waterfall size, crew size, and site conditions. Installation typically involves integrating a spillway into the pond landscaping, connecting it to a pump, and adding rocks to hide components and create a natural, cascading water flow.
The cost to build a pond is $2,900 to $15,600, depending on the size and type.
Koi pond installation costs $3,500 to $17,000.
Indoor electric waterfall cost
Indoor electric waterfalls cost $100 to $2,800 for the waterfall alone and range from small, tabletop units to large, custom designs. Material options include metal, ceramic, stone, fiberglass, and resin, while styles range from modern to naturalistic.
Most indoor waterfalls do not require professional installation. Large, heavy models and wall mounted "water wall" style units may require a handyman or an electrician.
Hiring a handyman costs $50 to $80 per hour.
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour, with a $75 to $125 call-out fee.
Backyard waterfall price factors
Factors affecting the cost to install a backyard waterfall include:
Size – A large waterfall feature like a pool grotto takes more time to install and requires more materials than a smaller feature.
Design complexity – The number, length, and width of waterfalls affects the installation cost.
Features – Creating additional waterfalls with scuppers or scones or adding extra features like lighting, plants, extra filters, spillway bowls, or a fire pit increases the cost.
Custom vs. freestanding – Custom pond-less waterfall features require more planning, design, and installation labor than a self-contained, freestanding waterfall.
Accessibility & site conditions – Installing in an area with obstructions requires more time and labor. Digging in rocky soil or finding underground wires or thick roots adds to the installation time.
Brand –Materials from high-rated, well-known brands like Aquascape and Rico Rock cost more than lesser-known or lower quality brands.
Fountain add-on or alternative – Installing a water fountain costs $1,500 to $8,800.
Geographical location –Labor rates are typically higher in big cities than in small towns.
Rocks pricing – Moss rocks are the most budget friendly choice. Large or non-local rocks cost the most. Using polished rocks instead of plain gravel to cover the pond-less waterfall basin also adds to the cost.
Waterfall installation cost by size
One of the largest factors determining waterfall installation cost is size. Cost increases with size as larger features require more labor and materials.
| Waterfall type | Size | Average cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| Small rock | 3 square feet | $200 – $700 |
| Medium rock | 4 – 12 square feet | $500 – $1,800 |
| Large rock | 12 – 20+ square feet | $800 – $5,500 |
| Small concrete | 34" diameter or less | $250 – $1,300 |
| Medium concrete | 35" – 60" diameter | $900 – $2,500 |
| Large concrete | 60" – 100" diameter | $2,700 – $11,000 |
| Pond-less | 100+ square feet | $3,000 – $11,000 |
| Pool waterfall (sheet falls / faux rock / Rico Rock) | 2 – 4 feet high, with variable width | $2,000 – $8,800 |
| Pool grotto | 3 – 6+ feet high, 10 – 12+ feet long | $7,500 – $40,000 |
Waterfall prices by brand
Waterfall prices vary by type and brand. Alpine corporation is a popular freestanding waterfall manufacturer, while Aquascape is a leader in pond and Pondless® waterfall products. Universal Rocks and Rico Rock are well-known faux rock brands offering small and simple to large and complex pool rock waterfall kits.
| Brand | Average price* | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Corporation | $80 – $1,900 |
|
| Aquascape | $1,100 – $4,000 |
|
| Universal Rocks | $800 – $6,900 |
|
| Rico Rock | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
|
*Not including installation.
Pond-less waterfall maintenance
Pond-less waterfall maintenance costs $250 to $2,700 per year, depending on the size and whether DIY or using a professional service. Maintaining an outdoor waterfall feature includes removing debris, cleaning filters, controlling algae, monitoring the water level, and replacing worn out parts over time.
Professional pond maintenance costs $400 to $2,900 per year on average and may include waterfall maintenance.
Pond-less waterfall winter maintenance includes shutting off, disconnecting, and removing the pump, draining the auto-fill plumbing lines if applicable, and storing the pump until spring.
Indoor waterfall features need less maintenance as they are not exposed to the elements. Many units only require adding water as needed due to evaporation.
Waterfall pumps typically last 1 to 3 years.
Store a pond-less waterfall pump in a bucket of water in a non-freezing location of the home or garage during winter to prevent the rubber seals from drying out or cracking.
Cost to run a waterfall pump {#pump)
Running a waterfall pump costs $25 to $100 per month, depending on the pump size and type, the hours run per day, and local electricity rates. Larger waterfalls cost more to run as they need a more powerful pump. Variable speed pumps use less energy than single speed pumps.
What size pump for a waterfall?
Waterfall pump size depends on the waterfall's size and the desired flow. Choose a model that pumps 100 to 200 gallons per hour per inch of spillway width. A pond pump sized on the low end produces a steady flow, while the high end creates a more powerful flow.
A general guideline for swimming pool waterfall pump sizing is 1 gallon per minute (GPM) per inch of spillway width for sheet waterfalls and ½ to 1 GPM per inch for rainfall spillways, depending on the size and brand.
Some pool waterfalls use the pool's existing pump. Experts recommend installing a dedicated waterfall pump for features needing greater than 35 GPM.
Waterfall FAQs
Can you add a waterfall to an existing pool?
Yes, you can add a waterfall to an existing pool in most cases. Installation requirements depend on the waterfall size and type. Consult a licensed professional to determine the waterfall options for your pool's layout and design.
Is a pond-less waterfall worth it?
A pond-less waterfall is worth it for homeowners wanting a waterfall feature with a smaller footprint than a traditional pond with a waterfall. Pond-less waterfalls have no fish and cannot support plants like water lilies, but they are lower maintenance and safer for children and pets than regular ponds.
How does a pond-less or pool waterfall work?
A pond-less waterfall uses a pump and an underground reservoir concealed with rocks and gravel to recirculate water up and out the feature's top. A pool waterfall also uses a pump, recirculating the pool water through plumbing pipes from the bottom to the top of the feature.
Getting estimates from waterfall installers
Before hiring a waterfall installer, be sure to:
Get at least 3 to 4 detailed estimates with comparable equipment to compare.
Ask friends or neighbors for referrals.
Confirm the business is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for local references with contact information.
Avoid going with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Questions to ask
Are you license and insured?
What experience do you have installing waterfalls?
Do you have a portfolio of previous work I can review?
Can you provide contact information for local references?
Who will supervise the installation?
How long will the installation take?
Does the waterfall need an external water source or is it self-contained?
How much sound will the waterfall produce?
What maintenance is required?
Should I leave the waterfall on year-round?