Buying an outdoor fountain is not quite like ordering ordinary patio décor.
Small models can be shipped via parcel carrier. Oversized cast-stone models may arrive on a pallet, and require site preparation, unloading help or contractor coordination.
That makes selection, freight delivery and setup support almost as important as choosing the fountain itself.
The following comparison concentrates on product assortment, delivery data and assistance offered from selection of a fountain through preparation for final destination.
Inside This Comparison
- Outdoor Fountain Pros
- Soothing Company
- Fountains.com
- Garden Fountains
- Quick comparison
- What to check before ordering
- Final verdict
1. Outdoor Fountain Pros: Best Overall for Specialist Selection and Project Support
Outdoor Fountain Pros is the best overall option of the lot for purchasers looking specifically for a fountain-centric company instead of a larger garden retailer.
They offer wall, tiered, Zen, garden, patio, fire and large scale fountains made from cast stone, marble, granite, ceramic or metal. The company claims to have been selling online for over 18 years.
A consumer seeking modern outdoor fountains can contrast that look with classic or architectural designs from the same resource.
The bigger advantage is the support around the purchase.
Outdoor Fountain Pros can help buyers narrow the choice by size, style and budget. It also offers physical color samples on many products, provides replacement installation instructions on request and works with trade professionals including landscape architects, builders, designers and contractors.
Delivery is clearly documented too:
- Free shipping: Advertised for the Lower 48 states.
- Large-item delivery: Fountains over 100 pounds ship by LTL freight with curbside service.
- Forklift planning: Some fountains with extra-large bases require a forklift because the base is too large for lift-gate service.
- Lead-time help: Many fountains are made to order, so buyers can request a current lead time before ordering.
- Tax: The site advertises no sales tax except in Utah.
Outdoor Fountain Pros does not like to brand itself as a national installation contractor. Its value lies in specialist product guidance, clear freight information and support that can help a buyer or trade professional plan the setup.
Which is why it is the ideal starting point for buyers seeking choice and easy to follow delivery/installation advice.
2. Soothing Company: Best for Broader Home and Garden Shopping
Soothing Company is another option for customers looking to purchase outdoor fountains with other home and garden goods.
It offers sphere, tiered, urn, waterfall, Zen, courtyard and garden fountains. They also sell fireplaces, planters, statuary and more décor style items.
So what happens after ordering?
According to Soothing Company, larger fountains will be delivered by LTL carrier with delivery service to the curb of your home or business. Smaller versions of their products can be shipped via UPS or FedEx. Soothing Company also notes that the carrier will not place the fountain into the yard, unpack it or set it up.
Installation assistance will not include actual hands-on installation. Soothing Company will try to answer questions you may have regarding installation and can provide you with the appropriate installation guide. Soothing Company does not offer installation services itself.
That can be helpful to know when scheduling labor prior to a large fountain delivery. The outdoor fountains are also listed in product categories on The Soothing Company, Inc.’s BBB page.
Think of Soothing Company if your fountain will be purchased as part of a larger décor plan and a permanent installation can be scheduled at a later time.
3. Fountains.com: Best for Custom and Architectural Projects
Fountains.com shines when your project transcends the garden variety fountain and enters into the realm of custom, architectural or commercial water features.
Its custom-project material describes design consultation, CAD renderings, material selection, plumbing solutions, shipping coordination and installation direction or referrals to experienced installers.
That support has an important boundary.
Fountains.com’s shipping and returns policy clearly states curbside delivery means they will not bring the fountain into its permanent location. Their installation instructions for natural-stone fountains also make it clear that you will need to provide your own professional stone mason.
This option is geared toward projects where design and installation plans are more important than catalog browsing.
If you feel your project is more along the lines of a hotel courtyard, commercial entryway or highly specialized residence feature then you may want that extra level of project involvement. For those customers seeking a third party customer voice, you can review the current Fountains.com Trustpilot page in addition to the company’s own project and policy pages.
4. Garden Fountains: Best for Coordinated Outdoor Décor
Garden Fountains should definitely be considered when looking for a matching set instead of simply buying a fountain by itself.
The company sells fountains as well as statues, planters, bird baths and other garden ornamentation. Products run the gamut from cast stone to ceramic, fiberglass, and resin. According to the company, items are shipped directly from the manufacturer.
Many cast-stone pieces are made to order with selectable finishes. Product pages for select fountain lines also feature manufacturer-specific setup instructions for level bases, pumps and electrical wiring.
That creates a useful niche.
Garden Fountains are ideal for buyers who desire to pair a water feature with their other outdoor furnishings and don’t mind meeting the installation specifications for whatever model they pick.
Installation instructions are guidance from the product manufacturer, not an assurance of installation labor. Therefore you may still need to source local labor for big jobs that include unloading, electrical work, or final setup.
Quick Comparison
| Company | Best for | Delivery approach | Installation support |
| Outdoor Fountain Pros | Custom fountain expert help with your project | Free Shipping on all orders in the Lower 48, LTL curbside delivery on fountains over 100 lb. | Helpful set-up instructions, product advice and trade-professional customer service. |
| Soothing Company | Expand home and garden shopping options | Curbside LTL for larger fountains; parcel carriers for smaller models | Guides; answering FAQ about installation. No installation services. |
| Fountains.com | Custom and architectural projects | Curbside delivery with project-specific logistics | Design assistance, installation instructions, installer referrals |
| Garden Fountains | Enhance your outdoor décor with beautiful coordinating pieces. | Ships directly from the manufacturer. | Helpful hints for setting up your product and the manufacturer. |
What to Check Before Ordering
Outdoor fountain installation services can mean vastly different things depending on who you’re talking to. It could mean complete turn key installation onsite, referral to installers, coordination with trades professionals, or just assembly and setup instructions.
Before paying for a large fountain, confirm:
- Where the truck will be allowed to stop. Curbside delivery is not necessarily “drop on final location” in courtyard/backyard.
- Delivery details. How the fountain will be unloaded. Large pieces may require additional labor, a lift gate, forklift or other equipment.
- What base preparation is required. The exact requirements depend on the model, weight and manufacturer instructions.
- Who does the final assembly? Ask if the retailer installs, refers to installers, works with your contractor or only provides assembly instructions.
- What electrical work is needed. When doing electrical work outdoors the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests GFCI protection for outdoor outlets.
- What the current lead time is. Made-to-order fountains can have changing production schedules.
The practical rule is simple: treat delivery, unloading and installation as three separate questions. A retailer may support all three without physically supplying the labor for all three.
Final Verdict
All four companies sell outdoor fountains, but they solve different buying problems.
Soothing Company is better if you are looking to shop for home and garden goods in general. Fountains.com is your best bet if you are doing custom or architectural work. Garden Fountains is the way to go if having coordinated outdoor décor and model specific setup instructions are important to you.
If you want the widest range of fountain expertise, written shipping information and practical setup support, Outdoor Fountain Pros tops this review.
Its strength is not a commitment that an installer will be provided with every order. It’s a selection of products, real-time lead-time assistance, freight coordination and installation guides and backing for both consumers and trade experts planning a water fountain.
Head of Interior Trends & Concepts
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