(floating dock with a cedar deck)
(suspension dock with a composite deck)
Cost to build a dock varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from local contractors in your city.
The average cost of building a dock is $5,400.
If you live on a lake, river, or other body of water, you may want to consider building your own dock 1. A dock gives you better access to the water, makes launching a boat easier, and in many cases can seem like a deck on the water.
Docks come in many shapes, sizes, materials, and configurations. Most homeowners building a personal, stationary dock spend around $5,400 for a wooden dock measuring 6 x 30 feet.
Docks 1 are not for everyone. Not only do you need to have direct access to a body of water, but you also need to make use of that access for a dock to be truly needed. If you swim regularly, entertain, or have a boat you want moored for easy access, a dock can be very beneficial. Having a dock allows you to fish, barbecue, swim, and boat with ease.
However, even if you regularly use a dock, it requires a lot of maintenance to stay in good condition. If your dock is stationary, you need to check it for wood rot, even below the water level. You also need to periodically replace the decking and stain and scrape it regularly.
Docks can sometimes become a liability. If you have people who enter your yard and use your deck without permission, you may be held liable for accidents unless you gate the entrance. Docks may also attract nuisance birds and wildlife such as ducks, loons, and herons that may soil the decking.
Moveable docks must be put in and taken out of the water each year as well as cleaned and inspected. This amounts to a lot of work, even if you do not use the dock frequently.
Many different types of docks are available. Some remain in the water year-around, while others are only put in at the start of the season and taken out later. Some docks use a combination of stationary and temporary portions that let you increase the size of the dock as needed:
Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Floating ($20-$35/sq.ft.) | May be taken out if water freezes Less likely to rot Least expensive option Moves with water level | Needs to be put in and taken out each year May come loose if not secured properly Moves when you stand on it |
Piling ($20-$40/sq.ft.) | Stationary Does not move Many configurations available Many decking options | High-maintenance Requires special equipment to install |
Pipe ($20-$40/sq.ft.) | Stationary Does not move Many configurations available Many decking options Easier to install | High-maintenance Difficult to install |
Crib ($30-$50/sq.ft.) | Very stable Long-lasting Stationary Does not move | High-maintenance Difficult to install Expensive Disrupts water flow |
Suspension ($50-$100/sq.ft.) | Lightweight Easy to move with water level Good for sensitive ecosystems | Very expensive Very high-maintenance |
Many different materials go into building a dock. And, the materials you choose vary depending on what type of dock and what type of water you have.
Most stationary docks use at least some form of pressure-treated wood for the pilings or beams. There are some preferred lumbers, such as western red cedar 2, redwood 3, Cypress, and eastern white cedar, while crib docks typically need Douglas fir, tamarack, or hemlock. But the important thing is to choose a hardwood that has been pressure-treated to a minimum of 0.60 pcf because anything softer will not hold up to the use. If the water is not fresh, then you need lumber that has been treated to a minimum of 2.5 pcf. This is true regardless of what lumber you use.
This may not be the only component of the dock, however. If you use pipe pilings, you also need PVC pipes at least 12 inches in diameter as well as concrete. Crib docks and floating docks also use concrete in their construction. Floating docks need plastic barrels or drums as well.
Suspension docks usually use aluminum, and modular or movable docks use aluminum for the framework. Some docks may also use it for the decking because it is very low-maintenance. Unfortunately, aluminum becomes hot very quickly in the sun, making this a poor choice for hot climates.
For the decking material, pressure-treated lumber, composites, and modified wood are all options. Plastic-based composites tend to break down quickly in the sun, while some older composites may swell with water. Newer composites hold up well in most docking situations and do not heat up in the sun, which is why most dock kits use composite decking.
Material | Use | Average cost |
---|---|---|
Cedar, Cypress, Redwood 3 | Decking Piling Framework | $4/foot |
Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Tamarack | Piling Framework | $8-$9/foot |
Composites | Decking | $8-$30/foot |
Aluminum | Decking Framework | $10-$14/foot |
PVC Pipes | Pipe footings 4 for piling | $30-$40/each |
Concrete | For securing footings in PVC Building a crib dock | $100/cubic yard |
Barrels/Drums | Holding floating docks | $100-$200/each |
The most common configuration for docks is to have the main portion extending straight out over the water, but this is not the only option. In some cases, a narrow walkway can widen out into a larger dock, only to narrow again at the boat slip.
In other cases, if you have multiple boats, it may be beneficial to configure the dock in an F, I, L, T, or H shape so that you can attach boat slips at various spaces. Other configurations may include a patio at one end or a Harbor-style dock that has a walkway running parallel to the water and extending the arms outward.
The key to determining the dock configuration is to figure out how you intend to use it. Fishing, sunbathing, and entertaining may need a wider section, while a dock meant solely for accessing a single boat can be a narrow walkway.
The installation of a dock varies tremendously depending on the type of dock. A typical piling dock begins with a CAD drawing to determine the size, shape, and load. Next, the water and waterbed are inspected to make sure it can handle the type of dock being considered. The area where the pilings will go is marked, and they are driven deep into the sand beneath the water. This is done with a large machine that pounds the wood until it reaches the correct depth.
Once the pilings are sunk, the rest of the installation is a lot like a deck. A frame is built over the pilings, and the decking material laid on top. This can take several days to complete from start to finish depending on the size of the deck, the materials, and how deep the pilings must be sunk.
Labor is a large portion of the dock building costs. Many DIY kits and small, modular docks are available for $300 to $1,000, for example, while a custom-built dock costs more than $5,000.
In most cases, the labor portion runs around $20 per square foot, making a 6 x 30-foot dock cost approximately $3,600. This can vary, however, depending on the type of dock and materials used.
The maintenance that your dock needs varies tremendously based on things like the climate, type of water, type of docking material, and how much use it gets.
At a minimum, you should inspect the dock at the end of each season. Keep it clean, and make any necessary repairs to worn, cracked, or broken areas. If your dock is moveable, removing it from the water at the end of each season helps extend its life.
Many boat docks have additional structures nearby including boathouses. To dig a foundation for these structures, factor in an additional $6 per square foot. Also, if you choose to build a boathouse in addition to your dock, this will add between $10,000 and $20,000 to the cost.
Some docks that are used year-around may benefit from having a covered section to keep the sun and rain off the boat. Typically, covered docks can be built of the same materials as the rest of the dock, although aluminum docks will usually have a stretched canvas top. Expect to add $10,000 to the project for a wooden covered dock.
A boat lift can help you make more use out of your boat and may even replace a traditional dock. They cost around $6,000.
You may want to add lighting to your dock. Expect to pay an electrician $65 to $85 per hour for at least 3 to 4 hours of work.
If you are using the dock in fresh water, pressure-treated wood to .60 pcf is necessary. Cypress, cedar, and Douglas fir are good choices.
The time depends on the type and size of the dock. Some docks can be built in a day while others may require a week or more.
Expect to pay a minimum of $15,000 for a covered dock.
Dock repairs vary tremendously depending on what the material is and where the repair is needed. Expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $40 per square foot for repairs.
A deck is a structure used on land, and a dock is a similar structure meant for use on water.
Cost to build a dock varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.