Houston Docks

Thousands of satisfied customers
Local and family owned
+15 years in business
Licensed and insured
Always FREE Quotes

Trusted & Local Dock Builder in Clear Lake, TX

For 15+ years, Houston Docks has designed, built, and repaired waterfront structures that stand up to Clear Lake’s tides and storms. We’re family-owned, fully insured, and fast—most estimates within 24–48 hours. Looking for Dock Builder Clear Lake TX you can trust?

We solve issues like failing pilings, storm damage, and aging decking with proven methods—driven timber or helical piles for soft bay mud, stainless 316 hardware, and composite decking from Trex and TimberTech. From boat lifts to boathouses and bulkheads, we build safe, attractive docks that last. Contact us today for a free on-site assessment.

Dock Construction, Repair & Lifts for Clear Lake Waterfronts

We focus on durable marine construction that fits Clear Lake’s brackish conditions and wind loads. Every project is engineered for safety, longevity, and clean finishes that boost waterfront value.

Custom Dock Design

Your shoreline, water depth, and soil conditions are unique. We start with a site assessment and soil data to design the right platform, framing, and piles. Our team uses CAD layouts, load-path analysis for wind uplift, and proper decking gap/drainage. Materials include pressure-treated southern yellow pine, Ipe, and composites like Trex, TimberTech, and AZEK with stainless 316 fasteners. We plan gangways, lighting, and utilities to meet NEC 555 clearances. Learn more about our Custom Dock Design services.

Dock Construction

We build floating and fixed piling docks using driven timber/FRP piles or helical screw piles for soft bay mud. Our barge-mounted pile rig, vibratory/impact driver, and jetting pump ensure correct embedment. Cross bracing, hurricane tie-downs, and hot-dip galvanized hardware resist storms. We install HDPE/foam-filled floats, aluminum gangways, and marine-grade LED lighting. Typical residential projects run 4–8 weeks after permits. Learn more about our Dock Construction services.

Dock Repair

Storms, electrolysis, and salt spray take a toll. We replace rotten stringers, damaged caps, and warped decking, and we perform piling repair and encapsulation to extend service life. Our crews use core drills, marine epoxies, and torque-monitored helical anchors when replacement is needed. We can re-deck with composite for low maintenance and upgrade bonding/corrosion protection. Emergency stabilization available. Learn more about our Dock Repair services.

Boat & Jet Ski Lift Installation

Protect your investment with properly sized lifts, cradles, and bunks. We install aluminum boat lifts (4,500–20,000 lb), jet ski lifts, and PWC ports with ABYC E‑11 compliant wiring and emergency shutoffs per NEC Article 555. We set pilings or helical posts to handle vertical and lateral loads, and add remote controls, catwalks, and canopy options. Learn more about our Boat & Jet Ski Lift Installation services.

Bulkhead Installation

Shoreline protection is critical on canals and open fetch. We install PVC/vinyl sheet piling (ShoreGuard), riprap, and concrete caps with tie-back systems designed for your soil profile. Proper filter fabric, deadman spacing, and drainage reduce hydrostatic pressure and washout. We also handle repairs to failing walls with tie-back replacement and steel sheet piling where needed. Learn more about our Bulkhead Installation services.

Other Services We Offer

Why Choose Houston Docks for Dock Building in Clear Lake, TX

Houston Docks brings thousands of completed projects, local know-how, and a safety-first mindset to every job. As a proven Dock Builder Clear Lake TX homeowners and marinas rely on, we engineer for brackish water, soft bay mud, and hurricane winds. We stand behind our work with clear timelines, documented inspections, and responsive service.

Certified Marine Power & Code Compliance

Dock power and lighting demand expertise. Our crews follow NEC Article 555 (2020/2023) and NFPA 303 for marina safety, with ABYC E‑11 practices for shore power connections. We use bonded, GFCI-protected circuits, labeled disconnects, and correct electrical datum plane clearances to prevent stray current and shock hazards.

An ABYC Certified Marine Electrician oversees layouts and terminations. From marine-grade LED lighting to lift motors, we specify corrosion-resistant conductors, sealed fittings, and proper bonding/isolators to reduce galvanic corrosion and extend equipment life.

Engineered Foundations for Soft Bay Mud

Clear Lake’s sediment can challenge shallow foundations. We verify soil conditions and choose driven timber/FRP piles or helical screw piles when torque capacity proves superior. Our barge-mounted pile driving rig, impact/vibratory drivers, jetting pumps, and helical torque drivers deliver correct embedment and documented capacities.

Where scour, uplift, or lateral loads are high, we add cross bracing, encapsulate/sleeve piles, and design load paths to ASCE wind references. In 2024, we rebuilt a Nassau Bay pier with helical piles and aluminum gangway; post-storm inspection showed zero settlement and intact bracing.

Safety, Insurance, and Coastal Wind Resilience

We maintain OSHA 29 CFR 1926 compliance and conduct daily Job Hazard Analyses on barges and bulkheads. Crews are OSHA 10/30 trained, and we carry full marine liability and workers’ compensation—COIs provided on request. Our fastener schedule uses stainless 316 and hot-dip galvanized coatings for long-term durability.

For roofed boathouses, we coordinate TDI Windstorm documentation (WPI-8/WPI-8E) when applicable in Harris/Galveston counties. Hurricane tie-downs, uplift connectors, and metal roofing specified to ASCE 7 wind loads help protect your asset when storms roll through Galveston Bay.

Local Permitting Expertise & Fast Delivery

Permits can be complex across city, county, USACE (Galveston District), and Texas GLO. We prepare plans, handle Section 10/404 submittals, GLO coastal leases/registrations, and floodplain approvals, reducing delays. For most residential docks, we target permit approvals in 4–10 weeks depending on jurisdiction.

We schedule materials early—Trex/TimberTech composites, ShoreGuard vinyl sheet piling, and HDPE floats—to keep builds moving. Many Clear Lake projects complete within 4–8 weeks after permits, with milestone updates at pile set, framing, and final walkthrough.

Dock Services Across Greater Houston and the Clear Lake Area

Houston Docks proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Greater Houston—from bayfront properties to canal homes. If you’re within roughly 30 miles of Clear Lake, we’ve likely worked in your neighborhood. Our local crews know the water, the regulators, and how to mobilize fast.

Serving All Neighborhoods in Clear Lake

We’re active around Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, Seabrook, Kemah, Nassau Bay, Taylor Lake Village, El Lago, League City, Webster, Shoreacres, Friendswood, and Pasadena’s southeast corridor. Common ZIPs we serve include 77058, 77059, 77062, 77565, 77586, 77598, 77573, 77546, and 77539.

From Taylor Lake to Clear Creek and Armand Bayou—near NASA Johnson Space Center—we understand local wake, tidal range, and brackish corrosion. When you need Dock Builder Clear Lake TX experience with NEC 555 electrical and USACE/GLO permitting, we’re ready to help.

Other locations we serve near Clear Lake

Frequently Asked Questions

What waterfront construction services do you offer?

We design and build residential docks, fishing piers, boathouses with integrated lifts, floating platforms, and commercial marina slips. We also install boat and jet ski lifts, bulkheads and seawalls, riprap, gangways, lighting, and power. Services include dredging and canal maintenance, piling replacement, storm damage repair, and permit handling with city, county, USACE (Galveston District), and the Texas GLO.

Do you install modular floating dock systems with manufacturer warranties?

Yes. We install modular systems like EZ Dock and HDPE/foam-filled float platforms with manufacturer-backed warranties. We design anchoring for Clear Lake’s fetch and wakes using driven or helical piles and stout cable or chain systems. We can add aluminum gangways, kayak launches, and ADA-accessible transitions to meet slope guidelines across tidal changes.

What materials can I choose for my dock?

Popular choices include pressure-treated southern yellow pine for framing, composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, AZEK) for low maintenance, and hardwoods like Ipe or Cumaru for premium durability. Hardware is typically hot-dip galvanized or stainless 316. We’ll recommend the best option for brackish water, UV, and slip resistance, plus corrosion protection and bonding to extend service life.

Do you handle permits with the city, GLO, and USACE?

We manage the entire permit path: city building permits (Seabrook, Kemah, League City, Clear Lake Shores), county floodplain, USACE Section 10/404 authorization, and Texas GLO coastal structure registration/lease where required. Typical residential timelines run 4–10 weeks depending on jurisdiction and scope. We also coordinate TDI windstorm (WPI‑8) when a roofed boathouse is involved.

How do you install piles and what sizes are available?

We set piles from barges using vibratory or impact hammers, with jetting as needed. Common timber diameters are 8–12 inches, lengths 20–45 feet depending on soils and loads. In soft bay mud, helical screw piles with torque verification can outperform driven timber. We also offer encapsulation/sleeving for longevity and corrosion control measures at the waterline.

Is a floating dock or fixed dock better for Clear Lake?

It depends on water depth, wave exposure, and intended use. Floating docks adapt to water level changes and are great for PWC and kayak access. Fixed pile docks feel solid and handle boat lifts and higher live loads well. We’ll evaluate fetch, wind, and soils to recommend the right solution for your site and budget.

Do you offer boat lifts and PWC ports?

Yes. We install boat lifts from 4,500 up to 20,000+ pounds, jet ski lifts, and modular PWC ports. Electrical is built to NEC Article 555, with ABYC E‑11 practices for safe shore power. Options include remote controls, catwalks, aluminum gangways, and canopy covers. We also service and repair existing lifts and motors.

Can you repair storm or hurricane damage?

Absolutely. We provide emergency stabilization, piling replacement, re-framing, and re-decking, plus bulkhead tie-back repair and riprap replacement. We document damage for insurance, propose code-compliant rebuilds, and can integrate upgrades like stainless 316 hardware, additional bracing, and improved uplift connections to perform better in future storms.

How long does a dock project take from permit to completion?

Most residential projects take 4–10 weeks for permits and 4–8 weeks for construction after approvals, depending on scope and weather. We provide a schedule with milestones for pile set, framing, decking, and final inspection. Material lead times (e.g., composites, ShoreGuard vinyl) are secured early to keep your build on track.