DIY Builds
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How much does it cost to build a floating dock?

A floating dock costs $15 to $35 per square foot, depending on the type of decking. The price includes both the dock and labor. Prefabricated aluminum (the most affordable type) costs $1,500. It's constructed by placing decking over airtight barrels, drums, or marine floats.

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*Includes labor.

Piling

Piling costs $10 to $15 per square foot. A dock piling is the upright posts driven into the lake or seabed. The frame either attaches to these for fixed decks or wraps around them for floating types to allow travel up and down the piling during water level changes.

Drums or Floats

Drums or floats can cost from $75 to $400 each, depending on the size and material you choose. Airtight drums or floats keep a floating dock afloat and usually have decking placed overtop.

Ladder

A dock ladder costs $200 to $800. If you plan to use your dock to get in and out of the water for swimming or other water activities, a ladder is a must-have dock improvement for added safety.

Bumper

Dock bumpers cost $80 to $175 each, depending on their size. Bumpers are installed along the sides of a dock to protect it and the boat during the docking process by gently bouncing boats back without causing any damage.

Ramp

Installing a dock ramp costs $1,200 to $4,500. Ramps are designed for launching boats by backing them into the water using another vehicle. They’re beneficial if you plan on regularly moving watercraft in and out of the water.

Mooring Whips

Mooring whips cost $250 to $600, depending on the size needed for your boat. These whips look like fishing poles affixed at certain angles and tensioned to hook boats when they come in. They’re designed to protect the finish on boats in areas with rough wake by holding them a safe distance away from the dock.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Boat Lift?

A boatlift will add between $1,000 and $15,000 to the project. Adding a boat lift canopy adds $500 to $2,000. Various styles, materials, and build qualities can suit different purposes and fit all types.

Freestanding: $1,000–$15,000 . Vertical, pontoon, and cantilever.

Pile Mount: $1,500–$8,000 . Single or 4-pile.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Dock: $1,000–$2,000. Floating or fixed drive-on.

Cost to Build a Boathouse or Covered Dock

Boathouses run $10,000 to $50,000+. The price depends on the size, materials, and included options, like a lift.

Average Cost to Build a Pier

A wood pier runs $100 per linear foot and up, while a full steel version can top $500 per linear foot.

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Although people use the terms interchangeably, some slight perceived differences persist. A pier sometimes refers to an elevated, fixed dock, often for commercial use and with railings. A dock refers to water-level structures in a marina or residential area.

Considerations When Choosing a Dock

Building a dock is a large-scale project for many homeowners. It involves considerable planning and decision-making before starting construction. You must choose the type, materials, electrical capabilities, and budget that work for you.

To determine the best type and materials, boat owners should consider:

Regional specific construction regulations.

Climate and location. Is your boat on a frozen lake or hurricane-prone coastline?

Water depth and bed composition. Helps determine the length of piles.

Saltwater or freshwater. Each requires different materials and treatments.

Seasonal Dock Removal and Install

Seasonal removal or installation runs $150 to $500 or more, depending on the length or number of sections. This only applies to floating or sectional types with easy removal.

Running Electrical to the Dock for Mooring or Lifting

Running electricity runs up to $1,000 depending on the distance. Dockside electricity provides mooring and lifting features and added lighting.

Cost of Building a Dock on a Lake vs. River

Since both are freshwater, the difference comes down to moving versus still water. Floating varieties don’t work on rivers. Rivers require fixed, permanent docks at $80 to $150 per linear foo t. Lakes can use any type, permanent or floating, for as little as $1,500.

Renting a Slip in a Marina vs. Building a Private Dock

With no waterfront property, it might make more sense to use a marina for $3,500 to $10,000 per year. But for about the same price you can have a private dock installed that will last 15 years or more.

Seawall or Bulkhead Cost

Steel and concrete seawalls run $250 to $1,000 per linear foot for a basic installation. Engineering, permitting, plumbing, and electrical needs will increase that price. Residential wood bulkheads tend to fall on the lower end.

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