Marine construction
Boathouse Builder on Lake Livingston
Wood boathouses built over the water, with covered decks, enclosed rooms and the walkways that lead to them.
More than a roof over the boat
A boathouse shelters the boat, but on Lake Livingston it is often much more than that: a shaded deck over the water, a room to get out of the weather, and a place to cook, clean fish and spend the evening.
Onalaska Builders builds boathouses with our own crews. The boathouses we have built stand on pilings over the lake and include covered decks, enclosed rooms with windows, and kitchens with tile counters, sinks and wood cabinets. Most are reached by a pier walkway lined with built-in benches.
A boathouse can include:
- A covered slip for the boat
- Covered decks over the water
- An enclosed room with windows
- Built-in counters, cabinets and a sink
- A pier walkway with built-in benches
Recent work
Boathouses we have built
Every boathouse is laid out for the owner and the shoreline, but a few features come up again and again in our work:
- Enclosed rooms over the water, with windows facing the lake.
- Covered decks, open on the sides, for shade and a breeze.
- Built-in kitchens, with tile countertops, a stone backsplash, a sink and wood cabinets.
- Counters and cabinets on the covered deck, handy for cleaning fish or setting out food.
- Bench-lined walkways and steps leading down toward the water.
You can see several of them in our gallery and on the projects page.
Planning
Planning a boathouse
Good questions to answer before the design is set:
- The boat. Its length, width and height decide the size of the slip and the clearance under the roof. If you want a boat lift, plan the slip around it.
- How you will use it. Just shelter for the boat, or a covered deck, an enclosed room or a kitchen too.
- Water and utilities. A sink, lights and a powered lift need water and electrical service, and that work should be done by licensed trades.
- The shoreline. Water depth, exposure to wind and waves, and whether the bank needs a bulkhead.
- Getting there. The walkway from the bank, and whether you want benches, lighting or a landing along the way.
Layouts
Covered deck, enclosed room, or both?
Most boathouses mix open and enclosed space. How you divide it depends on how you plan to spend time there:
- A covered deck stays open to the breeze and the view. It is the place for chairs, fishing and watching the lake, and it can take a built-in counter for cleaning fish or setting out food.
- An enclosed room gets you out of the wind and rain, keeps gear and cushions dry, and gives a kitchen or bar a proper home. Windows keep the lake in view.
- Both, side by side under one roof, is a common layout in the boathouses we have built.
Think too about steps or a lower landing near the water line, benches along the walkway, lighting for evenings, and room to store life jackets and gear.
Upkeep
Keeping a boathouse in good shape
- Look at the roof after storms, and keep leaves and pine needles from piling up on it. See roofing repairs.
- Check the wood near the water. Pilings, framing and decking that stay damp are the first to wear.
- Protect the finish. Stain or sealer on decks and walls helps outdoor wood last. See deck restoration.
- Keep the lift and fixtures working. Have a boat lift checked when it starts to struggle, and have water and electrical problems handled by licensed trades.
Budgeting
What affects the cost of a boathouse?
- Size of the slip, decks and any enclosed space.
- How much is enclosed and finished inside, such as windows, counters and cabinets.
- The walkway from the shore, including benches and landings.
- Site conditions, including water depth and access for materials.
- Extras, such as a lift, lighting, water and power.
- Removing an old structure, if there is one.
Send the form with the town or ZIP code, the size of your boat and what you would like the boathouse to include.
Lake Livingston
Boathouses 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.
We build boathouses 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
Boathouses questions
Do you build boathouses on Lake Livingston?
Yes. Our own crews have built wood boathouses on the lake with covered decks, enclosed rooms and built-in kitchens, reached by pier walkways with built-in benches.
Can a boathouse have a kitchen?
Yes. Boathouses we have built include kitchens with tile counters, sinks and wood cabinets. Water and electrical service for a kitchen should be installed by licensed trades.
Can you add a boat lift to a boathouse?
Yes. We work on boat lifts, and it is best to plan the slip around the lift from the start.
Do I need a permit for a boathouse 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 have their own rules too. Check what applies to your lot before work starts.
Get started
Planning a boathouse?
Tell us about your boat, your shoreline and what you would like the boathouse to include. Send the form or give us a call.