Houston Docks
- Thousands of satisfied customers
- Local and family owned
- +15 years in business
- Licensed and insured
- Always FREE Quotes
Licensed & Insured Concrete Dock & Seawall Construction in Houston, TX
Storm surge, ship-channel wakes, and subsidence can damage waterfronts fast. We build and rebuild concrete docks and seawalls engineered for Houston’s soils and tides. Our crews handle everything—from permits to pile driving—so your shoreline stays protected and usable.
With 15+ years on Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, we use marine-grade concrete, corrosion-resistant reinforcement, and proven construction methods to deliver long-lasting results. We also manage USACE and Texas GLO permitting and coordinate safely in TWIC-restricted zones. If you need Concrete Dock & Seawall Construction Houston TX, we’ll design a solution that fits your property, vessel, and budget. Contact us for a free site visit and estimate.
Why Our Concrete Docks & Seawalls Deliver Strength, Safety, and Lasting Value
You’re protecting more than a shoreline—you’re safeguarding your home, boats, and access. Hiring professionals means better engineering, faster delivery, and fewer surprises. With our concrete dock and seawall expertise, you get code-compliant work, durable materials, and a team that anticipates tides, storms, and soils. Expect clear communication, clean jobsites, and results that look great and perform under pressure.
Safety & Risk Elimination
Your waterfront must be safe for family, guests, and workers. We design for uplift, overturning, and scour using tiebacks, deadman anchors, and toe protection. Our crews follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926, USACE EM 385-1-1, and USCG inland navigation rules on every barge and work skiff. We plan lifts, perform JHAs, and keep a fall-protection and over-water rescue plan on site.
From cofferdams and dewatering to controlled riprap placement over geotextile, we reduce construction risks and future failures. We also install drainage weeps to relieve hydrostatic pressure and specify scour aprons where currents are strong—critical along the San Jacinto River and Trinity Bay.
Professional Results & Quality
We pour sulfate-resistant Type II/V ready-mix marine concrete with ACI field testing on every placement—slump, air, and cylinders—targeting 4,000–5,000 psi at 28 days. We use epoxy-coated or stainless rebar, robust concrete caps, and proper expansion joints to control cracking. Our crew includes ACI technicians, NCCCO-certified operators, and TWIC-credentialed personnel for Port Houston zones.
Equipment matters: crane barges, vibratory pile drivers, impact hammers, and GPS layout ensure accurate alignment. For below-water pours, we use tremie pipes and monitor turbidity with BMPs like curtains and silt fence to protect the bay.
Time & Stress Savings
Permitting can be a maze. We handle USACE Section 10/404, Texas GLO coastal approvals, and county floodplain permits, plus marina electrical coordination under NEC Article 555 and NFPA 303 when lifts or power are involved. Our permit expediting and engineered submittals reduce back-and-forth and shorten start times.
On site, we sequence pile driving, precast panel setting, cap forming, and riprap in a smooth flow. You get a single point of contact, proactive updates, and a realistic schedule—so no guessing about crew arrival or milestone dates.
Cost-Effective Solution
Proper foundations and tiebacks prevent costly lean or blowouts. We load-test tiebacks where conditions demand and upgrade old walers and caps before small issues become major repairs. In high-sulfate zones, stainless or FRP rebar extends service life and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
We minimize change orders through thorough site investigation, including hydrographic checks in shallow canals and accurate quantities for stone and concrete. Efficient cofferdam and dewatering plans cut pump time and save you money.
Peace of Mind & Warranty
You deserve a project that’s covered if something goes wrong. We’re fully insured, bondable, and back workmanship with a written warranty. After completion, we provide a maintenance plan tailored to your shoreline—annual inspections, cap and tieback checks, and post-storm assessments.
If you ever need help, our storm-damage emergency response team can stabilize a lean, seal leaks, or add temporary bracing. We’ve supported thousands of waterfront clients across Greater Houston since 2009.
How Our Concrete Dock & Seawall Process Works
We keep your project organized, code-compliant, and on schedule. Here’s what to expect from our team, start to finish.
- Site Consultation – We review goals, vessel needs, tides, and soils, then measure your shoreline and utilities.
- Engineering & Permits – We prepare drawings, calculations, and handle USACE, Texas GLO, and county floodplain submissions.
- Mobilization – We stage equipment, set turbidity controls, and lay out piles via GPS for accuracy.
- Construction – Pile driving, panel setting, cofferdams/dewatering as needed, cap forming/pouring, tiebacks, and riprap.
- Final Walkthrough & Maintenance Plan – We inspect, document, and provide care guidelines with an optional annual inspection program.
Why Choose Houston Docks for Concrete Dock & Seawall Construction in Houston
Houston Docks pairs marine engineering know-how with disciplined field execution. We’ve completed 2,000+ waterfront projects around Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, and the Ship Channel. Our crews are credentialed, our equipment is purpose-built, and our processes are safety-first. When you hire us for concrete docks and seawalls, you get durable structures, documented quality control, and local expertise that shows up in every detail.
Certified Team with Proven Marine Expertise
Our field leaders hold OSHA 10/30, ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician certifications, and NCCCO crane operator credentials. For restricted waterfronts, we staff TWIC-cleared personnel. This means compliant personnel on every job, accurate lifts, and real-time quality testing during pours and placements.
We’re active with ABC Greater Houston and AGC Houston, and track ASCE COPRI guidance for coastal design best practices. When coatings or steel sheet piles are involved, we bring AMPP/NACE oversight to ensure corrosion control is done right.
Safety, Insurance, and Environmental Controls
Safety is non-negotiable. We follow USACE EM 385-1-1 and OSHA 1926, complete JHAs and lift plans, and maintain over-water rescue gear. For marinas and boat lifts, we coordinate NEC Article 555 electrical to reduce shock and ESD risk, and reference NFPA 303 for fire safety.
We implement SWPPP measures and turbidity BMPs, including curtains and silt fence, to protect habitat during in-water work. We carry full general liability and marine coverage and can provide bonds upon request.
Right Equipment, Right Methods
Our fleet includes crane barges, tugs, vibratory and impact hammers, long-reach excavators, and concrete pumps with tremie capability. Survey/GPS layout and hydrographic checks help us set piles and panels precisely, even in narrow canals.
We execute with sheet pile driving/jetting, cofferdam construction, dewatering, toe keys, scour aprons, and QA/QC testing. The result: straight lines, tight caps, and shorelines that resist storm energy.
Local Knowledge & Permit Navigation
We understand Clear Creek watershed floodplain constraints, Port Houston logistics, and coastal rules from Harris and Galveston Counties. We manage USACE Section 10/404, Texas GLO coastal leases, city building permits (Seabrook, Kemah, Galveston), and navigation district requirements.
From Nassau Bay to Texas City and Tiki Island, we’ve worked in soft clays, mixed sands, and high-salinity zones. That local experience informs material selection, tieback spacing, and scour protection.
Options That Fit Your Waterfront and Budget
We build concrete seawalls, caps, and docks, and we’re also experienced with vinyl or FRP bulkheads where appropriate. Want a more ecological edge? We can integrate living shoreline elements—oyster shell, planted marsh, and segmented breakwaters—alongside a concrete bulkhead to reduce wave energy.
Transparent pricing, documented milestones, and a written warranty make the decision straightforward. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting and when.
Concrete Dock & Seawall Projects Backed by Years of Local Experience
Our team has delivered successful Concrete Dock & Seawall Construction Houston TX solutions across the Greater Houston shoreline—from Clear Lake to Galveston and up the San Jacinto. We tailor engineering to wind fetch, fetch-limited bays, and vessel loads, then execute with tight QA/QC and clean finish work. Whether you manage a marina or own a canal-front home, we’ve likely completed a project just like yours.
Types of Projects We Handle
Residential: canal-front seawalls, fixed and floating docks, covered slips, and boat lift foundations in League City, Seabrook, Kemah, and Dickinson. We also add shoreline steps and retaining walls to improve access.
Commercial/Marina: caps and tieback upgrades, slips and finger piers, NEC 555-compliant electrical coordination, and ADA-accessible dock layouts for Clear Lake Shores and Galveston Bay facilities.
Our Proven Methods
We start with pile driving (wood, steel, or concrete), set precast panels, install tie rods/walers and deadman anchors, then form and pour concrete caps. We add riprap over geotextile with a toe key to lock stone in place and mitigate scour.
Where needed, we build temporary cofferdams, dewater, and place concrete via tremie for below-water sections. Each pour is tested for slump/air; cylinders are broken at 7/28 days to confirm strength.
Complex Conditions We’ve Mastered
Examples include a 120 LF seawall replacement in Kemah completed in 6 weeks with cofferdam staging in a tight canal, and an emergency lean stabilization in Nassau Bay using helical tiebacks and a new cap within 72 hours after a storm.
We also handle sheet pile work near the Ship Channel with TWIC compliance and coordinate dredging in Clear Lake canals to restore safe boat draft.
Results You Can Expect
Clean lines, smooth caps, and long service life. With stainless or FRP rebar and proper drainage, concrete systems can exceed 40–50 years with routine maintenance. Typical timelines: 4–8 weeks for residential seawalls (100–200 LF), 6–12+ weeks for larger marina scopes, pending permits and weather.
You’ll receive an as-built summary, maintenance recommendations, and optional annual inspections to catch early signs of distress before they become repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a seawall cost per foot in Texas?
Costs vary by soil, access, water depth, and materials. In the Houston–Galveston area, concrete seawalls commonly range by the linear foot based on tieback spacing, panel thickness, cap size, and required riprap. Tight sites that need cofferdams or extensive dewatering increase price. After a site visit, we provide a line-item estimate and options like stainless/FRP rebar for longer life, so you can compare initial cost versus lifecycle value.
How long does a concrete seawall last on Galveston Bay?
With sulfate-resistant concrete, proper cover, quality reinforcement, and drainage weeps, many systems deliver 40–50+ years. Service life improves with stainless or FRP rebar, cap sealers, and routine inspections. Harsh exposures—open-bay wave energy or high boat traffic—may require heavier sections and additional scour protection. We’ll recommend a maintenance plan to preserve performance after major storms.
Do I need a USACE permit to build a dock in Houston?
Typically yes. Most docks and seawalls in navigable waters require USACE Section 10/404 authorization, plus Texas GLO coastal approvals and county floodplain permits. Cities like Seabrook, Kemah, and Galveston often require building permits as well. We handle drawings, submittals, and agency coordination, and we’ll give you a timeline estimate based on project scope and location.
Is vinyl or concrete better for a residential seawall?
It depends on exposure and goals. Vinyl (PVC) or FRP sheet piling can be economical in protected canals, while concrete excels in higher energy and long-life applications. Hybrid approaches—vinyl with a concrete cap and robust tiebacks—also work well. We’ll evaluate soils, fetch, and boat traffic, then recommend the best balance of durability, appearance, and cost for your shoreline.
Can you repair a leaning seawall or failing cap?
Yes. We stabilize leans with new tiebacks, deadman anchors, or helical systems, then replace or enlarge the cap as needed. We may add riprap and a toe key to reduce scour. For active leaks, we can respond quickly with temporary bracing and dewatering, then perform permanent repairs once conditions are safe and stable.
Do you provide dredging and pile driving services?
We do. Our crews handle pile driving (wood, steel, concrete) with vibratory and impact hammers, plus mechanical dredging to restore canal access and draft near docks. We verify depths with hydrographic checks and manage disposal in accordance with local regulations. This integrated approach keeps your project coordinated and on schedule.
Do docks in marinas have special electrical code requirements?
Yes. Marina electrical work must comply with NEC Article 555 and NFPA 303 to reduce shock and fire hazards. We coordinate with licensed electricians on GFCI protection, bonding, and labeling—especially for boat lifts and shore power. We’ll align electrical design with your dock layout so systems are safe, accessible, and future-ready.
Can you integrate living shoreline elements with a bulkhead?
Absolutely. In appropriate locations, we combine a concrete or vinyl bulkhead with planted marsh, oyster shell, or segmented breakwaters to reduce wave energy and enhance habitat. These hybrid solutions can improve water quality and reduce reflection, while still providing hard-edge protection where you need it for access.
What’s your timeline from consultation to completion?
After a site visit, we develop drawings and submit permits. Approvals can take a few weeks to several months depending on agencies and scope. Construction for typical residential seawalls runs 4–8 weeks once permitted. We provide a detailed schedule, update you at milestones, and coordinate around weather and tides to maintain quality and safety.