Pond net on in Exeter
Professional pond net on services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Pond netting installed properly with support stakes - keeps leaves out, net stays taut, fish protected. Autumn sorted.
Keep Leaves Out, Fish Safe
October arrives, trees start dropping leaves, and you're staring at your pond thinking "I should really net that before leaf-fall gets serious."
Two choices: Spend an afternoon wrestling with tangled netting, wobbly stakes, and a saggy net that still lets leaves through. Or have it fitted properly in under an hour - taut, supported, doing its job.
Proper netting stops autumn leaves rotting in your pond, keeps herons away from fish, and saves you hours of leaf-scooping.
💡 Pro tip: Netting isn't just for autumn. Some people leave it on year-round for heron protection, taking it down occasionally to enjoy the pond properly. Your pond, your choice - I can fit and remove it seasonally or set it up for permanent use.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Proper Installation | ❌ DIY Disaster |
|---|---|
| Taut net above water level | Sagging into pond, half underwater |
| Multiple support stakes | Net held up by hope and prayer |
| Edges secured all round | Wind lifts corners, leaves blow under |
| Easy to clear leaves off top | Net so saggy you can't reach leaves |
What's Involved
🏗️ Netting Installation Process
| Pond Size | Stakes Needed | Typical Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small pond (up to 2m) | 4-6 stakes | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Medium pond (2-4m) | 6-10 stakes | 45-60 mins | £60-£85 |
| Large pond (4m+) | 10+ stakes | 1+ hrs | £85+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Includes stakes and installation.
What I Supply (Usually)
For most ponds I'll bring:
- Support stakes (bamboo or treated timber depending on size)
- Pond netting (if you need it - let me know when booking)
- Fixing pegs or weights to secure edges
- Cable ties or clips where needed
You supply: The pond! And let me know if you've already got netting to install.
Perfect For Your Pond If...
✅ Trees overhanging pond - heavy autumn leaf-fall expected
✅ You've got fish - especially expensive koi worth protecting
✅ Heron problems - netting deters them year-round
✅ You hate scooping leaves - prevention beats cleanup
Why Choose Us for Pond net on in Exeter?
Net fitted taut with proper support stakes
Keeps all autumn leaves out of pond
Easy to clear leaves off the net surface
Protects fish from predators too
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess and Plan
I'll look at your pond size, shape, and how many support stakes we'll need. Also check what netting you've got (or what to buy if you don't have any).
Step 2: Install Support Stakes
Position stakes around the pond edge and across the middle (for larger ponds) to support the net. Driven in firmly so they won't move when covered with wet leaves.
Step 3: Fit and Tension Net
Stretch the net over the stakes, securing edges all round. Needs to be taut enough that it doesn't sag into the water, but not so tight it'll rip when loaded with leaves.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to install your own pond netting? Here's how to get it taut and working:
🔧 Materials needed
- Pond netting (measure your pond + 50cm each direction for overlap)
- Support stakes: bamboo canes (small ponds) or treated timber posts (larger ponds)
- Tent pegs or bricks to weight down edges
- Cable ties or clips (optional, for attaching net to stakes)
📏 Planning the layout
- Measure your pond: Note length, width, any awkward shapes
- Buy net oversized: Better too big than too small
- Count stakes needed:
- Small pond: 4-6 stakes around edge
- Medium pond: 6-8 around edge, 2-4 across middle
- Large pond: Stakes every 1-1.5m around edge, grid across middle
🏗️ Installation process
-
Drive support stakes first
- Around pond edge, 20-30cm from water
- Across middle for larger ponds (to prevent sagging)
- Drive deep - 30cm+ into ground
- Height should be 40-50cm above pond surface
-
Drape net over stakes
- Start at one end
- Work around the pond
- Pull it taut as you go
-
Secure edges
- Tent pegs through net into ground
- Or weight with bricks/stones
- Must be secure - wind will test this
-
Check for gaps
- Net should overlap pond edge by 30cm minimum
- No gaps for leaves to blow through
- Taut enough that leaves sit on top, not in the water
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Not enough support stakes (net sags badly)
- Stakes too short (net sits in water)
- Edges not secured (wind lifts net, leaves blow under)
- Net too small (doesn't overlap pond edges properly)
- Driving stakes into pond liner (expensive mistake!)
💡 Pro trick: For irregular-shaped ponds, use more stakes rather than trying to stretch net to fit. Net that's sagging between widely-spaced stakes ends up in the water. Better 12 stakes doing the job properly than 6 stakes and a saggy net.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🍂 Seasonal timing: Fit the net late September/early October before leaf-fall. Remove it December once leaves are done. Stored properly, a good net lasts 5+ years of seasonal use.
Cleaning the net: Through autumn you'll need to brush or shake leaves off the top of the net periodically. If they build up too thick, the weight sags the net down. Quick job every couple of weeks keeps it working well.
Year-round use? Some people leave netting on permanently for heron protection. If that's your plan, tell me when I'm fitting it - I'll use more durable stakes and possibly stronger net. But most people prefer to remove it for winter so they can actually see their pond.
Want it removed in December? I can take it down, clean it, and fold it for storage. See my pond-net-off service.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get pond netting fitted?
Late September or early October in Devon, before the main autumn leaf-fall. Fitting it before leaves start dropping means your pond stays clean all autumn. Take it down in December once leaf-fall is done and you can enjoy your pond through winter.
What size net do I need?
Needs to overlap the pond edges by at least 30cm all round. I'll measure your pond and advise on sizing - better to have too much net than too little. Standard pond netting comes in various sizes and I can recommend what you need.
Won't the net sag into the water?
Not if it's fitted properly with enough support stakes. I'll position stakes around and across the pond to keep the net taut and above water level. Even when covered with leaves it shouldn't sag enough to touch the water.
Can herons still get my fish through the net?
Properly fitted netting (taut and above water) stops herons getting to fish. The netting also deters cats. It's not just about leaves - it's year-round fish protection if you leave it on, though most people prefer to remove it for winter visibility.
I've already got a net, can you just install it?
Yes, if it's in decent condition and the right size. I'll check it's sound before fitting. If it's old and brittle, I'll recommend replacing it - trying to install knackered netting is frustrating and it won't last the season anyway.
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