Marine construction
Boat Docks & Piers on Lake Livingston
New docks and piers, redecking and repairs for lakefront, canal and pond property.
A dock you can count on
A dock or pier is how you actually use the water: a place to tie up the boat, fish, swim or just sit and watch the lake. It also takes a beating from sun, water and weather every day.
Onalaska Builders builds and repairs docks and piers with our own crews. Our work includes covered piers and walkways lined with built-in benches, a long boat pier redecked from the bank to the end, and a dock walkway over a new bulkhead at a private pond.
Dock and pier work includes:
- New docks and piers
- Covered piers and walkways with built-in benches
- Redecking worn or damaged piers
- Replacing loose, broken or rotten boards and framing
- Dock walkways over a bulkhead or bank
- Hauling off old dock lumber
Existing piers
Redecking a pier
Deck boards usually wear out before the structure beneath them. They split, cup, soften and work loose, and fasteners start to rise. If the pilings and framing underneath are still in good shape, replacing the decking can give the pier a new walking surface without starting over.
A redeck generally means:
- Checking the pilings and framing to make sure they are worth keeping.
- Removing the old decking.
- Repairing or replacing framing members that need it.
- Installing and fastening the new deck boards.
- Loading up and hauling away the old lumber.
If the check turns up widespread damage underneath, a new pier is usually the better investment, and we will tell you that before the work starts.
New construction
Planning a new dock or pier
The right dock depends on how you plan to use it and what your shoreline is like. Things to think about:
- Use. A fishing pier, a swim platform and a place to keep a boat all need different sizes and layouts. If you want a boat lift, plan for it from the start.
- Length and depth. How far out the pier needs to go depends on the water depth you need and how the lake level changes.
- Exposure. Open-water lots see more wind and waves than coves and canals.
- The bank. If the shoreline is washing out, a bulkhead may need to come first.
- Getting to it. Steps, a path or a deck at the top of the bank can make the dock easier to use.
Comfort and safety
Features that make a pier easier to use
A pier is more than a walkway. The details decide whether you actually spend time on it:
- A roof. A covered section gives shade in the summer and a place to wait out a passing shower. For more enclosed space, see boathouses.
- Built-in benches. Benches along the rails give everyone a place to sit and fish, and double as a guard along the edge.
- Lighting. Low lights along the walkway make the pier safer after dark.
- Ladders and steps. An easy way in and out of the water for swimmers.
- A wider landing. Room at the end for chairs, a cooler or loading the boat.
Upkeep
Keeping a pier in good shape
- Walk it regularly and watch for soft, split or loose boards and rising nails or screws.
- Look underneath when the water is low. Pilings and framing near the waterline wear first.
- Keep it clean. Mildew and algae make boards slick. See pressure washing.
- Protect the wood. A stain or sealer slows weathering. See deck restoration.
- Check after storms for loose railings, shifted boards and debris caught against the pilings.
Budgeting
What affects the cost of a dock or pier?
Every waterfront is different, so there is no single price. The main factors are:
- Size. Length, width and any platforms or landings.
- New work or repair. A redeck on sound framing costs less than a new structure.
- Materials. The decking and framing materials you choose.
- Site conditions. Water depth, the bottom, and access for materials and equipment.
- Extras. A roof, built-in benches, lifts, lighting, ladders and removal of an old structure. For a covered slip with enclosed space, see boathouses.
Send the form with the town or ZIP code, what you have now and what you want, and photos if you can.
Lake Livingston
Docks and piers around Lake Livingston
Structures on Lake Livingston's shoreline fall under the Trinity River Authority, which runs a permit process for property owners, and some subdivisions and property owners' associations have their own rules. Check what applies to your lot before work starts. Private ponds are a different situation, so tell us which kind of water you have.
We build and repair docks around the lake and within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring and Trinity. See our full service area.
More marine construction services
Related services
Questions
Boat Docks & Piers questions
Can you redeck my old pier?
Often, yes. If the pilings and framing are still sound, new decking can give the pier a new surface without a full rebuild. If the structure underneath is in poor shape, a new pier is usually the better choice.
What happens to the old boards?
On our pier redeck, the old lumber was loaded up and hauled away when the new decking was done. Ask about removal when you request your estimate.
Can you add a roof or benches to a pier?
Yes. Our work includes covered piers and pier walkways lined with built-in benches.
Do you build docks at private ponds?
Yes. We have built a dock walkway over a new timber bulkhead at a private pond.
Do I need a permit for a dock on Lake Livingston?
Structures on Lake Livingston's shoreline fall under the Trinity River Authority, which runs a permit process for property owners. Some subdivisions and property owners' associations have their own rules too. Check what applies to your lot before work starts.
Get started
Planning a dock or pier?
Tell us what you have now, what you want and where the property is. Send the form or give us a call.