Floating docks are an excellent addition to any home. They can be used for anything from a place to sit and read, to a place to launch your boat or jet ski. Building a floating dock is not as hard as you might think, but it does take a bit of planning and patience. The first step is to decide what size dock you want and how many feet will be needed. You can choose from different kinds of materials like wood or concrete.
You may want your dock to look like it’s part of the water, or just blend in with your backyard landscape. The next step is choosing what type of material you will use for your floating dock. If you have any questions about building a floating dock or if you need help finding someone who knows how, contact us today.
Dock Cost per Foot
The cost of your dock largely depends on the number of square feet being installed, but the average cost per square foot ranges from $15 to $40, averaging $30 per sq.ft. These prices include the cost of the materials and labor. In general, the longer it is, the more material will be used and the longer the labor will take. Additionally, the water may become deeper the farther the it extends, leading to added cost. Two primary types will be priced by square foot–piling and floating. Below you will see the average cost per square foot, ranging from $1,800 to $21,600.
| Square Footage | Average Cost (Labor Included) |
|---|---|
| 120 sq.ft. | $1,800 – $4,800 |
| 150 sq.ft. | $2,250 – $6,000 |
| 180 sq.ft. | $2,700 – $7,200 |
| 210 sq.ft. | $3,150 – $8,400 |
| 240 sq.ft. | $3,600 – $9,600 |
| 300 sq.ft. | $4,500 – $12,000 |
| 360 sq.ft. | $5,400 – $14,400 |
| 420 sq.ft. | $6,300 – $16,800 |
| 480 sq.ft. | $7,200 – $19,200 |
| 540 sq.ft. | $8,100 – $21,600 |
Types of floating dock
Floating docks come in a variety of materials, including:
- Wood—typically, cedar or redwood is used for floating docks because it’s relatively inexpensive and can be easily shaped. However, wood can rot and needs to be replaced every few years. Wood is also susceptible to termites and fire.
- Steel—this material is often used for industrial applications because it’s durable and easy to maintain. It has the added benefit of being non-combustible (meaning it won’t catch on fire). However, steel tends to cost more than other types of materials. Also, you need a large amount of space where you can store the steel dock until it’s needed in case there isn’t room at your house or business property; otherwise, you’ll have a giant metal structure sitting out front.
- Concrete—concrete docks are extremely sturdy but also very heavy; they must therefore be built on shore rather than installed in water like wooden docks can be (and usually are). They’re also more expensive than most other types of dock building materials because concrete requires skilled labor that isn’t always readily available locally or nationally depending on where you live.”
What are floating docks called?
If you’re looking for a floating dock, you’ve probably heard the terms floating pontoon and floating jetty. These are all names for the same thing: a structure that prevents boats from sinking into the water. They can be found on lakes, rivers, and oceans around the world.
Floating docks are also called floating jetties when they extend into deep water (as opposed to just being anchored to shore). This is because they were originally built by colonists in Australia and South Africa who needed them as access points to deep water so they could fish or ship out goods without having to build piers first.
In addition to their common name of “floating docks,” these structures may also be known as moorings or boat ramps depending on where they’re located and how people use them there.
How much does it cost to add a dock?
The cost of adding a floating dock can vary from $10,000 to $100,000. This depends on the location and size of your home as well as the materials used for construction. The costs will be higher if you are constructing your dock on a river or lake.
How long does it take to build a dock?
It really depends on the size of your dock. The larger the dock, the longer it will take to build. A small floating dock can be built in a day or two, but if you’re looking for something bigger, like a residential floating dock that has multiple pontoons and lots of space for people to walk around on and fish from, that could take several weeks or even months to complete due to all of the individual steps involved in constructing such a large structure.
What are the different types of docks?
Docks are a great way to add extra space to your backyard, but before you start building one, it’s important that you know what type of dock will work best for your needs. Docks can be built to serve different purposes and look different depending on their intended use and location.
There are four main types of docks: floating docks (which are commonly used in lakes), fixed-pontoon watercraft docks (which sit on pilings), fixed-beam watercraft docks (which sit on concrete or wood piers) and floating winch systems (used by marinas). Each has its own advantages, so think about the specifics of your project before choosing one type over the others.
The cost to build a floating dock will vary based on the size, design and materials used.
You should be aware that the cost to build a floating dock will vary based on the size, design and materials used. For example, a floating dock made of cedar will be much more expensive than one made of pressure-treated pine. Additionally, if you hire a professional to build your floating dock instead of doing it yourself (or with friends or family), expect to pay more for labor costs.
You need to plan ahead and determine what the final purpose of your dock will be.
Before you get started, it’s important to determine what the final purpose of your dock will be. Floating docks are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. The type will depend on your needs and budget. For example:
- If you’d like to store boats or other watercrafts on the water’s edge then a floating deck would be good choice for you.
- If you have children who love spending time near the water but don’t have any experience boating yet then a floating swim platform could be perfect for them.
- A floating pool deck allows homeowners to enjoy their pool without having to worry about getting in or out via stairs or ladders that may not be safe around children.
Your needs and desires should influence your overall dock design.
Your needs and desires should influence your overall dock design.
Dock design is influenced by your needs and desires.
The size of the dock, the materials used and the purpose of the dock should all be taken into consideration when building a floating dock.
Once you select your floater type, you will then decide on a decking material.
Let’s focus on the deck material that will be sitting atop your floater. This is an important decision, as it will dictate how the dock looks and feels.
Here are some of the most common types of decking:
- Wood: Wood is a classic choice when building your floating dock. It can be stained or left natural, and it has a more natural look compared to other materials such as composite or concrete. If you want something with a little more visual flair, consider using cedar instead of pressure-treated pine lumber because its natural coloration can give it an attractive appearance that varies in shades depending on how much exposure it gets to sunlight and weather elements over time (this also means you may need to put extra effort into maintaining its finish).
- Composite: Composite decking is made from recycled materials like plastic bottles (PET) so they’re eco-friendly; however, they’re not exactly cheap since these kinds require specialized equipment in order for them work properly when installed onto existing docks. If budgeting isn’t an issue for you then this would definitely be one way we recommend checking out before making any final decisions about what type would work best with yours specifically.
Materials can range in price from $7 to $26 per square foot, depending on the type of wood, composite or concrete you choose for your decking material.
Materials can range in price from $7 to $26 per square foot, depending on the type of wood, composite or concrete you choose for your decking material.
Wood is the most expensive option. Composite decking (made from recycled plastic and wood chips) costs a bit more than concrete but is less expensive than wood. Concrete is a cheaper option than either of these materials because it’s made from sand, cement and water. The cost of labor will also vary based on whether you hire professional help or do it yourself.
There are many options for the posts that hold up your deck and these can also vary greatly in price from wood to concrete or steel post anchors.
There are many options for the posts that hold up your deck and these can also vary greatly in price from wood to concrete or steel post anchors. The cost of the lumber will be determined by what size you want to build your dock with, but with a little research you should be able to find a great deal on materials. If you are unfamiliar with building docks, then it is highly recommended that you have someone who knows what they’re doing help you out so that everything lines up properly and can be secured properly.
Building a floating dock will require some engineering know-how and careful consideration of all the variables involved in this type of structure.
Building a floating dock will require some engineering know-how and careful consideration of all the variables involved in this type of structure. First, you need to plan ahead and determine what the final purpose of your dock will be. Will it be used as a boat landing? If so, where do you want it to be placed in relation to your house?
If your needs and desires should influence your overall dock design, then consider how much space is required for access into the water—both for people and boats. You’ll also need to consider any regulatory issues that may limit where you can build.
Another key factor when designing docks is the type of floatation material selected for construction. For example: wood versus plastic or metal; solid versus foam; enclosed versus open; single level vs multi-level etc.
Consider this article before building a floating dock, since there are many variables involved.
There are a few things to consider before making a decision. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself when planning your floating dock:
- What is the final purpose of your floating dock? Will it be used in saltwater or freshwater? Will you want to store boats on it, or will it simply provide access to the water for swimming and fishing?
- What type of floater do you want to use? You can choose from wood or plastic (polyethylene), and both options have their own pros and cons. Wood is generally less expensive than polyethylene, but requires additional maintenance because tetanus bacteria can grow in wooden posts after they’ve been in contact with dirt or algae-filled water for several months—and those bacteria could make swimmers sick if they come into contact with them after being submerged in contaminated waters for prolonged periods of time.
In conclusion,
In conclusion, floating docks can be an excellent addition to any home or business. The cost of building one will vary based on the type of floater used and the size, design, and materials used in its construction. There are many variables involved in this type of structure so consider all aspects before starting your project.
