In the countryside, if you live near a body of water, like a lake, river, or a sea, it would be nice to have a boat dock built along the shore or going into the water. Its primary purpose is to serve as a parking place for boats and a pathway for passengers to pass without getting wet. A boat dock can also be a recreational area where anyone can hang out, catch fishes, take a plunge, and jump into the water for a refreshing swim.
For many homeowners, building a boat dock is considered as a big project since it entails a thorough process of decision-making and a well-thought plan before the construction commences. More importantly, you place a large sum of money to make the structure, so you have to make sure that every penny counts. For this reason, it is helpful to know the cost of building a dock.
Costs to Build a Boat Dock
Apparently, the average standard-size boat dock prices can run from $10,000 to $30,000.
However, the general costs can range from $1,000 up to $50,000, depending on several factors, which include:
– the type of boat dock you prefer
– materials used in the construction (aluminum, plastic, wood, or wood composite)
– complexities of the job
– the depth of water
– electrical components
– labor fees
– as well as the fees for the permits and inspection
Estimated Costs
If you only have a limited budget, you can choose a pipe dock, which happens to be the cheapest type of boat dock. It is ideal for shallow waters. A small pipe dock, which is preassembled, has the least boat dock prices, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, but these do not include the delivery or installation costs, so you might need to add a few dollars for the extra charges. When it comes to their built, pipe docks are made with aluminum frames with a decking either made of wood or plastic.
Floating docks, on the other hand, are best in deep waters or in fluctuating water depths. Just like pipe docks, they are 
removable structures, allowing you to remove them from the water, especially when the weather is bad. They cost $15 to $35 for each square foot, so if you want a 50-square-foot floating dock, then the total cost is from $750 to $1,750. If you choose the least price, you have an assembly kit. Meanwhile, the floating dock with the highest cost gives you a relatively large dock to be installed.
For a permanent boat dock, the smallest size can cost around $5,000. But in most cases, the cost of building a dock is between $10,000 and $30,000, depending on the permanent dock you prefer. Piling boat docks, one of the varieties of a permanent dock, can cost around $20 to $40 for each square foot, which already includes the installation cost. However, the rate can go up to $60 per square foot if you like to add fancy features like gazebos, lifts, or rails. If for instance, you have a lot of money, then you have the option to add a boat lift, which costs around $5,000 to $7,000.
Aside from being a structure where you can tie your boat and a pathway, a dock can also be built with a house. It’s known as a boat house that cost, at least, $10,000. The more sophisticated versions of boat houses, which come with multiple stories, extra rooms, storage rooms, jet ski docks & lifts, and other additional structures would cost you from $20,000 to $50,000 or ever higher than the highest price.
Types of Boat Docks
As you read along the different boat dock prices, you were able to partly know some types of boat docks that you can build along the shore or in the water. This time, let’s get to know more about these docks and how they differ from each other.
- Pipe Docks
Aside from being the cheapest type of boat dock, pipes docks are ideal for shallow waters and fair weather. They are usually floating on the surface, having wooden pipes to support them. In some instances, pipe docks are made with wheels, which come in handy when you need to remove them from the frozen water. Although these are affordable docks, they may not be durable enough to moor or hold the boats well.
- Floating Docks
This type of boat dock has a simple construction. It is built by tying large, empty container drums together, then placing a frame on top of the drums, and attaching decking boards to the frame. You can use any type of material to make the frame and decking boards, but always consider the weight, because the empty barrels can only support a limited amount of weight. In addition to the boards and frames, you should also take into account the dock’s weight when you make the floating dock.
Because these consist of simple materials, you can easily dismantle the parts of the floating docks, remove them from the water, and assemble them again when it’s already time. They are ideal for deep waters, however, they can become unstable, especially when the water’s current is a bit strong.
- Permanent Docks
If you don’t want the hassle of removing and reconstructing the boat docks, then go for the permanent docks instead. From the name itself, these docks can no longer be removed once they are installed. However, permanent docks are more durable and can last longer than the first two types. As previously mentioned, there are three variations of this boat dock. These are the following:
1. Crib Docks – A large container filled with rocks is submerged into the water to stabilize the dock. A decking, which covers the container, is connected to the shoreline to keep the dock in place.
2. Piling Docks – This is the stronger version of pipe docks. Instead of wooden pipes as the support, piling docks use robust and hard wooden beams to keep the docks steady and sturdy.
3. Concrete Piers – These are evidently for large shipping vessels.
Suspension Docks
These are a special type of boat dock that comes out from the land or shore and does not have any support underneath the structure. They can lift docks vertically to prevent damage, especially during the winter.