If your house has an open water, may it be a river, a stream or any body of water that you can put a small ship, you would want to have a small structure that you can use to properly dock your boat close to the shore. These boat docks can either be bought as a package or built part by part and the cost of building a dock will differ depending on which option you would choose. Whether you are buying an already built dock or starting from scratch, we will discuss the various costs that will be involved in this project.
Cost Of Building a Boat Dock
You may have imagined yourself living in an area where you can just lounge around the bay with a free open body of water just waiting for you to take a boat ride along its shorelines. While drinking a can of beer you start to realize that putting a boat dock right behind your home is a great idea. However, the thought of boat dock prices is keeping you from making this idea come true.
No worries as we will be discussing the different cost of building a dock to help you start a new home project. Here are the basic costs:
Depending on the type of dock and the size of the dock, the average cost of building one will range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. That is why it is important that you know what type you are building. Say you are building a Floating Dock. This type of dock will usually cost $20.00 to $40.00 per Sq. foot. The materials that you would need for this type of dock are airtight barrels or drums which will usually cost $60.00 a piece plus the wood and nails that you would use for decking. A 2 ft. x 2 ft. Abaco Tropical Hardwood Deck Tile will cost you around $35.00. A floating dock is good for the body of water that just rises and fall and not for rivers and creeks which are flowing.
The next type of dock is the Piling Dock. This type of dock uses robust wooden beams and piling them into the lakebed. The price for this type of dock is generally more expensive as compared to the first one which is $25.00 to $45.00 per Sq. foot and that is because it is harder to install. But a piling dock is more durable compared to a floating dock and it will give you the option to add lights and electrical wirings to your dock as well.
The third type of dock is the Pipe Dock which is a lesser expensive version compared to the Piling Dock. Instead of using wood, you are using a pipe to serve as the support of the deck. Although the process of installation is the same, the price is a bit cheaper because of the materials used. The boat dock prices for a pipe dock will cost you $3000.00 to $4000.00 for the installation and material of the whole dock itself.
Cost Of Other Products Needed To Build A Boat Dock
Now that you know there are different ways that you can build a boat dock, it is now time to discuss the other items that you will need if your build your own boat dock. The very first thing you would need to find is a pressure treated lumber. Usually a 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Standard Better Hi-Bor Pressure-Treated Lumber will cost only $4.59 each. You can request for various sizes of lumber depending on the size of the dock that you need.
If you are building a floating dock then you would need a plastic barrel which will cost around $70.00 for a 55 al. Industrial Plastic Drum or if you are building a piling dock or a pipe dock, you would need to purchase a wooden beam or a pipe. A Superior Building Supplies 5-1/2 in. x 3-3/4 in. x 11 ft. 6 in. Faux Wood Beam will cost you $14.521 per piece while a Tommy Docks 8′ Long Galvanized Steel Dock Pipe (2-Pack) will cost $56.78.
You would also need to purchase ropes, braces, Galvanized screws and nails and silicone caulking. These materials will likely to cost you a minimal amount depending on the size of your dock.
Cost Of Pre-Fabricated Boat Dock
If you do not want to start to build your own boat dock from scratch, there are many stores that offer pre-fabricated boat docks at very reasonable prices. The cost of building a dock will vary depending on the design, length, and concept of the dock that you want for your home.
One of the boat docks that you can purchase ready-made is the PlayStar 4 ft. x 10 ft. Commercial Grade Roll in Dock Kit. This cost only $402.87 per pallet and it includes brackets, hardware, and dock components as well as the heavy-duty, hot dipped galvanized components securely tied 2 in. x 6 in. wood frame. You would have to purchase a separate wood, screw, and pipes as this is only the frame of the dock.
But if you want a complete set, you can try the Tommy Docks 20 ft. T-Style Aluminum Frame with Cedar Decking Complete Dock Package. This product includes a three 4 ft. x 8 ft. aluminum frame kits, 6-cedar decking panels, corrosion resistant superior dock pipes, brackets, footpads, and caps. It only cost $1,874.95 for the whole set and it can still be expanded as it has a modular design and there is no cutting required. It is pretty easy to assemble and use.
One of the most expensive pre-fabricated boat docks in the market is the Tommy Docks 16 ft. L-Style with 8 ft. x 8 ft. Platform Section Aluminum Frame with Decking Complete Dock. Its frames are made up of aluminum making it light while it uses AZEK decking panels and corrosion resistant superior dock pipes. Its brackets are coated with a gray polyester powder as well as its footpads. You do not need to seal and stain it yearly and it can withstand harsh weather. The boat dock prices for the whole kit costs $2,149.95 but for the features, it is all worth it.
How Much Will It Cost TO Add A Light Fixture To Your Dock
Once your dock is built you would want to add lights to make it more visible and pleasant to look at during the night. If your dock is a floating dock, it is not advisable to add electrical wirings as it is prone to sway. But if your boat dock is stable then you can do so. The cost of adding lightings to your dock will most likely range from $500.00 to $2000.00 depending on the distance between your house to the dock as well as number of lights you want to use.
Adding light to your dock is very beneficial. It will allow you to see your way to the dead of the night and it will also guide other boats who are in the water and let them know that they are near a shoreline. If you are a fishing enthusiast, light can also lure fish towards it which would mean that you can have a great catch during the night.