Everything we get asked about
boat docks.

Yes — we install lifts on new and existing docks regularly. The site-visit question we answer is whether your existing dock's framing and pilings can take the added load.

On wood-framed docks 10+ years old, we often need to sister-up framing or add a piling on the slip side. On metal-framed or newer wood docks, retrofit is usually straightforward.

See the lift sizing guide for matching capacity to your specific boat, and the cable vs. hydraulic comparison for the technology choice.

Fixed docks are anchored to pilings driven to the lake bottom. They stay at a constant elevation — great for lakes with stable water levels.

Floating docks ride on flotation pods anchored by spuds or cables. They rise and fall with the water — essential on lakes with significant level swings (Travis, drought-affected impoundments).

Full breakdown by lake type and bank profile in our floating-vs-fixed-dock guide. Considering covering the slip? See boathouse vs. open dock.

Texas dock permits depend on which body of water you're on:

• Cedar Creek Lake — Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD). Typical cycle: 3–6 weeks.
• Lake Athens — Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA). 2–4 weeks; strict cap-elevation rules.
• Lake Palestine — Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority (UNRMWA). 3–5 weeks.
• Lake Tyler — City of Tyler shoreline office. Pre-clearance required before fabrication.
• Richland-Chambers — TRWD (same as Cedar Creek, different shoreline plan). 3–6 weeks.
• Private impoundments — Usually no agency permit, but HOA architectural review still applies.

We pull every permit as part of the contract — you sign once and we run the agency loop. Full breakdown in our permits article.

Three serious options:

• Pressure-treated pine — cheapest upfront. Requires annual sealing. Most common.
• Composite — mid-tier price, no sealing, color-stable for 10–15 years.
• Marine-grade aluminum — premium. Stays cooler underfoot, lasts 40+ years, splinter-free.

Families who walk their dock barefoot in July almost always upgrade to composite or aluminum on the second dock. If you'll only own the house for 3–5 years, pressure-treated is the right call.

Yes. We build covered single-slip docks, double-slip boat houses, and open T-head docks. Covered structures need additional permitting on most lake authorities (TRWD on Cedar Creek and Richland-Chambers regulates roof height and cap elevation tightly) — we package that into the application.

If you're considering adding a roof later, tell us at the design stage. Adding a roof to an existing dock often requires structural retrofit of the pilings, which is more expensive than building it covered from day one.

Standard residential dock build, on-site work:

• Piling driving — 2–4 days depending on bottom conditions
• Framing — 2–3 days
• Decking and hardware — 2–4 days
• Electrical and final — 1–2 days

So 1–2 weeks of on-site work for most residential dock builds. The real timeline driver is permitting — see the permits question above. We schedule construction to start the week the permit clears.

Honest ballparks for East Texas lakes:

• Basic 12×16 ft fixed dock — $14,000–$22,000
• Add a covered roof — $24,000–$38,000
• Add a single boat lift and slip cover — $40,000–$65,000 all-in
• Floating dock systems (lakes with major level swings) — $35,000+ to start

Full pricing breakdown by piling type, decking, and lake authority is in our cost article. Or skip to a real number with a free on-site estimate.