White Horse Contractors are specialists in lake construction. We design and build lakes, reservoirs, and natural swimming ponds to your technical and aesthetic requirements.
Our experts will work with you throughout the process from initial designs, through detailed technical drawings to support any planning applications, to the construction and landscaping of your new lake.
We can advise on planting schemes, install features such as jetties and boat-houses, and deliver maintenance if and when required.
Call 01865 736 272 or email to discuss your lake.
White Horse Contractors in house team offer a comprehensive range of lake and pond construction services including:
As experienced lake construction contractors we know that every project will present a unique set of challenges. We don’t come armed with pre-conceptions and a one size fits all solution.
Instead we arrive armed with experience, expertise, and a commitment to work hand in hand with you, our client, to explore what you want and identify how this can be delivered effectively, efficiently, and safely.
Our proven lake construction process has delivered terrific results for clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Ramsbury Brewery, Foxcombe Farm, Cherwell House, and Holdenby Manor.
The first meeting takes place at the proposed site for the new lake. Together we will explore your motivations and ambitions for the new lake and identify any specific aspirations, objectives, and details such as islands, jetties, or boathouses.
Our discussion will also cover any feasibility issues, planning considerations, technical requirements, and parameters such as timescales and budget.
During this visit we will note the position of key features of the site including buildings, trees and copses, watercourses, and access points.
Please contact us to discuss your lake construction project.
The information and insight gained from the initial site visit will be used to develop a design proposal for your new lake.
The proposal will include first draft drawings to illustrate how the lake will look with careful consideration given to aesthetics and the relationship between the lake and its surrounding landscape.
Detailed attention will be given to elevation to maximise the visual impact of the lake from key viewpoints such as windows, doorways, and terraces.
The proposal will also outline our construction specifications and include estimated costs and timescales. The design often inspires further discussion and gives you, the client, lots of opportunity to make changes and refinements.
Following client consultation, revisions, and approval we undertake a topographical survey which enables to produce a detailed and fully costed proposal. This survey will measure the rise and fall of land across the site and diagnose how we accommodate the volume of water required into the area that has been allocated.
During this survey we dig a series of trial holes to provide us with detailed ground analysis. This enables us to:
Following the topographical investigation work we develop a vision for the works with technical drawings, material specifications, a project plan, and detailed costs..
Elements of this work, especially the drawings, are beneficial in planning application submissions. We can support you, or your landscape architect, in submitting such applications. We can recommend a suitable landscape architect to assist with the planning application should you require one.
We are highly experienced in working with independent experts, such as ecologists and archaeologists, who may be required to attend the site as a condition of planning approval. We can organise, co-ordinate, and manage these specialists on your behalf to ensure the efficient progress of the project with minimum disruption.
Throughout the planning process we seek ways to engineer value into the project. Whether this is through the identification of low nutrient ground water to reduce maintenance costs or finding landscaping options for the on-site redistribution of spoil arising to reduce removal costs, will seek ways to reduce project costs.
This approach extends to the specification of materials such as the lake lining where we will undertake cost analysis to benchmark initial purchase costs against ongoing maintenance costs to provide an overall lifetime cost assessment to ensure our plan returns maximum value now and in the future.
White Horse Contractors operate an ongoing program of investment in specialist plant, machinery, and staff training. Lake construction works are carried out by our own in-house team using our wholly owned equipment. This depth and strength enable us to overcome any unforeseen obstacles and ensure that your project remains on schedule.
Logistics are carefully planned in advance and our Health & Safety Manager will create a dedicated H&S plan for your project before site mobilisation commences.
We will liaise with you throughout the project, keeping you up to date with progress, and milestone achievements. When the works are complete, we will rapidly de-mobilise the site and ensure the safe and efficient removal of all machinery and equipment before comprehensively tidying the site for you to enjoy your new lake.
We regularly work for High Net Worth individuals, schools, and elite sports clubs. Our staff understand the importance of personal privacy and security. We respect client confidence and will work with you to develop a plan of works that accommodates your requirements.
Mitigating environmental impact is a core value of White Horse Contractors. We are proud to have delivered wetland and ecological projects for clients including the Environment Agency, the National Trust, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
We are recognised, accredited and certified by key governing and advisory bodies for your peace of mind. These encompass quality management, supply chain, procurement and risk management systems.
Lake construction costs depend on many variables which include but are not limited to the volume of water to be accommodated, topography and ground conditions, landscaping and planting, site access and removal of spoil. However, as a guide price you might expect to spend* £35,000 - £1M+ to build a new lake.
*Costs serve as a guide only. Every site is unique and specifications vary widely making ‘standard’ prices impossible to quote. The cost of building your lake may exceed these guide prices. For an accurate estimate please contact us.
As with lake construction costs it is impossible to define a ‘standard’ lake construction timescale due to a range of variables such as the size of the lake, the ground conditions, and any related works such as planting and landscaping. However, as a guide you might reasonably allow 4 – 6 weeks for the construction of your lake.
For more information call 01865 736272 or email whc@whitehorsecontractors.co.uk
