How Much Does It Cost to Build a Dock for Your Boat?

Cost to Build a Boat Dock per Square Foot

It will cost between $15 and $40 per square foot to build a boat dock. Since many docks are about the same width, you may pay based on linear feet or how far the dock extends. In that case, the average pier would cost $100 per linear foot.

Building a Boat Dock Cost Breakdown

Building a boat dock is not as simple as buying some nails and wood. There are also pilings (in the case of permanent docks), stone in many cases, and extras such as ladders and ramps to consider.

Piling

Wooden pilings for dock decking cost $10 to $15 per foot. Pilings are driven deep into the sandy bed of the body of water where a dock is built. They remain in the water year-round to create a stationary dock that's ideal for fishing.

Drums or Floats

Dock float drums and other specialized float containers cost $75 to $400 each. These are used for floating docks, also called barrel docks, and allow the dock to float along the water's surface.

Ladder

Dock ladders cost $100 to $600 each. Ladders allow swimmers and tubers to get in and out of the water safely, lowering the risk of injury when climbing back onto the dock. Ladders can be wood or aluminum and always come with special hardware to secure them to the dock for stability.

Bumpers

Dock bumpers cost $50 to $100 each. Bumpers are installed along the sides of a dock to protect both it and the boats during the docking process. When boats gently hit a bumper, the dock bounces back slightly without causing damage to either structure.

Ramp

Installing a dock ramp costs $500 to $1,000 or more. Ramps allow dock owners to move their watercraft in and out of the water more easily. They're designed to launch boats safely and can be used to back a boat into the water from a vehicle.

Mooring Whips

Mooring whips cost $300 to $500 each, depending on the brand and size. They look similar to fishing poles and protect boats in areas with rough wakes. Each whip is affixed to an angle, tensioned, and arched downward to hook a boat. The tension then keeps the boat at a safe distance from the dock to protect its finish and prevent dock rash.

Decking

Decking makes up a dock's surface and costs $4 to $40 per square foot, depending on the material used. Simple wood decking falls at the low end of the cost range, while durable concrete decking tends to cost the most. Choose your decking based on how long you want it to last and your aesthetic preference.

Boat Lift

Boat lifts cost $1,000 to $15,000 each. Lifts raise and lower boats into the water to help passengers board and exit more easily. They also keep boats secure to prevent them from floating away, especially when water levels are high. In the off-season when your boat isn't in use, a lift can keep it out of the water to prevent wear from freezing water temperatures.

Boathouse

A boathouse costs $10,000 to $50,000 or more. This roof-covered structure shelters watercraft and stores marine equipment in a protected environment. Costs vary depending on style choices and the addition of custom features such as plumbing, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and guest suites.

Labor Cost

Generally, you should expect that half of your costs will go toward labor. So, if you received a quote for $10,000 from a dock construction company, about $5,000 of that will be labor costs, and the rest will go toward materials.

Cost to Build a Boat Dock by Type

There are five main types of boat docks: floating docks, piling docks, pipe docks, crib docks, and suspended docks. Each dock type has its own price tag and benefits.

Floating

A floating dock isn't supported by pier pilings; it simply floats on the surface of the water. Therefore, installation costs will be much lower. This type of dock costs between $15 and $35 per square foot, which doesn't seem much lower than other docks, but keep in mind floating docks tend to be much smaller overall.

Piling

A dock that is built on pilings, or large wooden pillars driven into the ground, is sturdy and long-lasting. It’ll cost you between $20 to $40 per square foot to build.

Crib

These docks are similar to piling docks in that they are permanent, but a contractor builds them in a different way: They pour rock into a “crib” made of wood to create small islands to support the dock. These will cost you between $10,000 and $50,000.

Pipe

Pipe docks are generally prefabricated and constructed with aluminum pipes. These docks are easy to assemble and move to a different location (although they aren't as durable) and will cost you between $1,000 and $10,000.

Suspended

A suspension dock is essentially a dock that can be raised and lowered like a drawbridge. This makes them pretty expensive to produce, as you'll need to hire an engineer to install one. In terms of cost, it's on a case-to-case basis, and there isn't really a range.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Build a Boat Dock?

A lot of factors impact the final price tag of a boat dock. Generally, they fall into four main categories: materials, size, type, and location.

Materials

There are many different types of wood to choose from for a boat dock. Some types of wood, like cedar, will cost you as little as $4 per square foot, while exotic hardwoods will run you up to $25 per square foot. Composite and aluminum can go even higher at $30 to $40 per square foot.

Size

Docks can range widely in terms of size. If you just want a simple platform in some shallow water, it will be much less expensive than a large, sturdy dock extending dozens of feet from shore. The cost of docks is often expressed in square feet, so the bigger it is, the exponentially more expensive it gets.

Type

You may pay just $15 per square foot for a floating dock, meaning a 10-by-10-foot dock would cost just $1,500. Meanwhile, a large crib dock could run you up to $50,000.

Location

If you're building a permanent dock, the location matters. Are you building into relatively shallow water, and is the ground easy to dig? That's one thing. But if you're building into deep, rocky terrain, it gets a lot more challenging (and expensive).

Groundwork

You’ll pay more for your boat dock if you have to do any groundwork prior to starting this project. This includes leveling, foundation digging, and landscaping.

Permits

Check with your local city and state to find out what permits are required in order to build a boat dock. The price you’ll pay for these varies by location.

Additional Boat Dock Costs

From optional enhancements to required seasonal maintenance, boat docks can come with a variety of additional costs.

Boat House or Covered Dock

Many dock owners build a roof over the dock or an entirely separate roofed structure for storage and entertaining. Expect to spend anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the structure you build and the features you add. Some luxury boathouses include lifts, sundecks, plumbing, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, or guest suites.

Seawall

A seawall or lake bulkhead stabilizes the shoreline around your dock against waves, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $600 per linear foot, depending on the size of the wall and the material used. Material options include vinyl, steel, concrete, and wood.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Dock maintenance requirements depend on the local climate, water type, decking material, and frequency of use. Inspect your dock at the end of each season and repair worn, cracked, or broken areas as you notice them. Depending on its material, you may need to stain, oil, or seal your decking regularly. Repairs or maintenance will come with material and supply costs.

Pier 

A pier is a fixed structure that extends over the water, often serving as a walkway, fishing spot, or access point for deeper water. Piers are sometimes part of dock systems, but they’re primarily used for land-to-water access, whereas docks are designed for boat mooring. Building a pier typically costs $100 to $300 per linear foot, depending on materials like wood, composite, or concrete. Additional features like railings or benches can increase your overall costs.

What Kind of Boat Dock Can I Get on My Budget?

If you have a budget for your dock and just want to know what you’ll get for it, this quick breakdown might help.

$1,000

This is the super low end of what you're likely to pay for a boat dock. For this amount, you could build a small floating dock, or buy a prefabricated aluminum pipe dock.

$4,000

This is closer to the more typical range of boat docks, although still on the low end. For this, you should be able to get a relatively small permanent piling dock.

$15,000

This is the average price of building a dock. This most likely applies to a permanent dock, as it's higher than you'd likely pay even for the most expensive pipe dock. This would pay for about 500 square feet of a piling dock, so you would get a pretty substantial dock for this price.

$30,000

This is the higher end of the typical price range. In this case, you could afford a very large piling dock with premium wood, or even a mid-range crib dock.

$75,000

This is the most you'll probably pay for a dock, and that's if you get a large crib dock with high-end materials. However, suspension docks are a wild card because they require extensive engineering, which may exceed even this price tag.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Boat Dock Yourself?

Considering the fact that labor takes up about half the cost of any boat dock project, you can determine the cost to build one yourself by taking the price tags quoted above and halving it. That means all you'd be on the hook for is materials.

However, before you start watching YouTube videos on how to build a dock, consider the risks. For one thing, a poorly constructed dock can be dangerous. Also, if you don't do the job right, the dock may collapse under its own weight, or just give in to wear and tear years earlier than a professionally built dock. This could cost you big money.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Instead, contact a dock builder in your area for a consultation. They can take a look at the area where you want to put the dock and identify any potential complications. Then, they can provide you with a quote, which may be leexpectedxpecting. At the very least, it will give you peace of mind that you have considered all options.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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