We've done a couple of pond installations recently, one for our new perennial polyculture trial garden (Ataraxia) and another for a permaculture farm/orchard.
Introduction
In both the recent ponds we dug we hired a machine and driver to carry out the dig. Previous ponds we've dug by hand. With some willing help, a 6 x 4 x 1.5 m pond is very doable and I'd estimate that 3-4 people with good tools would take about 8- 10 hrs on moderately light soils, probably longer in clay.