Houston Docks
- Thousands of satisfied customers
- Local and family owned
- +15 years in business
- Licensed and insured
- Always FREE Quotes
Licensed & Insured Custom Dock Design in Houston, TX
Your shoreline is unique. Tides, wind, waves, and water depths around Houston demand a custom plan that’s safe, durable, and code-compliant. We specialize in Custom Dock Design Houston TX for residential, community, and marina projects that protect your property and fit how you boat, fish, and live.
With 15+ years on Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, Lake Houston, and the San Jacinto River, our team designs floating and fixed docks, lifts, and gangways using proven engineering, marine-grade materials, and permitting know-how. We handle USACE and Texas GLO requirements, NEC 555 electrical layouts, and storm-ready anchoring. Ready to get started? Contact us for a free dock design consultation and estimate.
Why Our Custom Dock Design Delivers Safety, Longevity, and Everyday Ease
You want a dock that’s safe to use, built to last, and easy to maintain. Professional planning pays off—especially in Houston’s brackish, wind-prone waters. With Custom Dock Design Houston TX, we tailor structure, materials, and anchoring to your exact site, so you enjoy reliable access, lower upkeep, and better value.
Safety & Risk Elimination
Your dock must protect people, boats, and your shoreline. We design to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.106 for working over water, apply NFPA 303 fire safety guidance, and lay out NEC Article 555 GFCI/ELCI-protected circuits to reduce electrical shock drowning (ESD) risk. Anti-slip decking, safety ladders, lighting, and clear approach lines are standard considerations.
For exposed sites on Galveston Bay, we add hurricane ties, uplift anchors, and increased pile embedment. Floating docks use helical or chain/deadman anchoring sized for fetch and surge. These details reduce storm damage and liability while keeping your family and guests safe.
Professional Results & Quality
Our dock plans specify marine-grade materials matched to your environment: stainless steel 316 hardware, galvanized steel brackets, pressure-treated southern yellow pine or copper azole/MCA-treated lumber, and composite decking like Trex, TimberTech, or WearDeck. For high-salinity sites, we can integrate FRP composite piles and vinyl sheet pile bulkheads.
We align with FEMA P-55 coastal best practices and USACE Galveston District guidance. Expect straight lines, true elevations, and clean transitions from gangway to dock. The result: a sturdy, quiet dock that looks great and performs for years.
Time & Stress Savings
Permits can be confusing. We streamline USACE Section 10/404 authorization, Texas GLO registrations/easements, and local floodplain reviews. Our survey-grade laser levels and GPS help us model gangway slopes, water levels, and berthing clearances correctly the first time.
You won’t need to coordinate multiple vendors. We handle design, engineering coordination, materials, and build sequencing—so your project moves from concept to completion with less back-and-forth and fewer delays.
Cost-Effective Solution
Smart design prevents costly mistakes—like undersized piles, improper anchoring, or decking that fails in sun and salt. We right-size the structure, specify encapsulated EPS or rotomolded HDPE floats for buoyancy, and plan service access for lifts and utilities to reduce maintenance costs.
Thoughtful features such as FRP grating in wet zones, pile wrap to deter marine borers, and riprap shoreline stabilization protect your investment and lower lifetime ownership costs.
Peace of Mind & Warranty
We carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance and follow documented safety and quality procedures. Electrical work is completed by a TDLR-registered contractor, and our team holds ABYC marine electrical training. Manufacturer-backed warranties are available on EZ Dock, Wave Armor, and leading boat lift systems.
You’ll get clear drawings, specifications, and a written scope. Our workmanship warranty and post-storm inspection options mean support doesn’t stop on install day.
How Our Custom Dock Design Process Works
We make it simple—clear steps, transparent pricing, and expert guidance from permit to punch list.
- 1. Site Visit & Discovery — We assess water depth, bottom conditions, fetch, and access. We review goals like lifts, slips, or a kayak launch.
- 2. Concept & Estimate — You’ll see layout options (floating vs fixed), materials, anchoring, and a detailed line-item estimate.
- 3. Engineering & Permits — We prepare drawings, coordinate PE-stamped calcs as needed, and expedite USACE/Texas GLO and local approvals.
- 4. Build Scheduling — Materials are staged; our spud barge, pile driving rig, and crew are scheduled around tides and weather windows.
- 5. Construction & Final Walkthrough — We install per plan, test ELCI/GFCI, and review maintenance tips before handoff.
Why Choose Houston Docks for Custom Dock Design in Houston
At Houston Docks, we focus on docks and waterfront structures every day. Our team has designed and built hundreds of residential and commercial projects across Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, Lake Houston, and beyond. We combine practical marine construction experience with engineering-driven planning to deliver docks that are safe, attractive, and storm-ready.
Certified Expertise and Engineering Support
Complex sites deserve engineered solutions. We collaborate with a Texas Registered Professional Engineer for structural design when pile loads, uplift, or spans require calculations. Our electrical designs follow NEC Article 555, with ABYC-informed practices for shore power and lift circuits.
This means your system is sized correctly—piles, cross-bracing, helical anchors, and live loads are accounted for—reducing movement, racking, and premature wear.
Licensing, Insurance, and Safety Practice
We maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and dock electrical work is performed by a TDLR-registered contractor. Our crews carry OSHA 10/30 training and follow job-specific safety plans for working over water, including life jackets, ring buoys, and skiff readiness.
We incorporate NFPA 303 guidance for marina fire protection and post required ESD/safety signage where applicable. You get a safer facility and smoother inspections.
Equipment and Marine-Grade Materials
We bring the right tools: spud and crane barges for access, vibratory/impact hammers for pile driving, helical pile drive heads for floating systems, and laser/GPS for precise elevations. This speeds installs and improves quality.
Material options include composite decking (PVC/HDPE), ipe/hardwood, FRP grating, stainless steel 316 hardware, encapsulated EPS or rotomolded floats, FRP composite piles, ShoreGuard vinyl sheet pile bulkheads, and riprap stabilization—selected to match fresh, brackish, or salt conditions.
Local Waterway Knowledge
We design around real Houston conditions: wake and wind on Galveston Bay, fluctuating levels on the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers, siltation in Clear Lake channels, and corrosion near the Ship Channel. We’ve solved access challenges for tight canals in Nassau Bay and Bacliff and understand current patterns off Seabrook and Kemah.
That local insight yields better layouts, calmer berths, and lower maintenance over time.
Customer-First Process and Warranties
Clear communication and documentation are standard. We provide annotated drawings, finish schedules, and written scopes so you know exactly what you’re getting. Manufacturer-certified installation is available for EZ Dock, Wave Armor, and leading boat lift brands, with warranty support to match.
After completion, we offer seasonal checkups, storm-damage assessments, and quick-turn repairs to keep you on the water.
Custom Dock Design Backed by Proven Results Across Greater Houston
We’ve delivered successful custom dock design and builds throughout the Greater Houston area—Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, Lake Houston, the San Jacinto River, and Lake Conroe. Our team handles residential, HOA, and marina projects end-to-end. From floating dock design Houston to fixed pier construction, we tailor each plan to site conditions and how you use your waterfront. Custom Dock Design Houston TX is our specialty.
Types of Dock Projects We Handle
Residential boat docks, fishing piers, boathouses with lifts, community docks, and commercial work platforms are all in our wheelhouse. We also plan ADA-accessible gangways, kayak and PWC launches, and multi-slip T-head or L-head layouts for efficient berthing.
Whether it’s Lake Houston’s fluctuating levels or Galveston Bay’s chop, we match floating or fixed systems to your goals and budget, including marina dock design and small HOA piers.
Our Proven Process & Methods
We assess soil and bottom conditions to set pile size and embedment. For floating systems, we select helical, chain, or deadman anchoring and use spud barge positioning for accurate installation. Electrical is laid out with NEC 555 GFCI/ELCI protection and low-voltage LED lighting to improve safety and reduce load.
Materials are fit for purpose: composite decking like Trex, TimberTech, or WearDeck; aluminum frames for low-weight floating sections; stainless hardware; and encapsulated floats. We integrate bulkheads, riprap, and living shoreline elements where erosion control is needed.
Complex Conditions We’ve Mastered
We’ve rebuilt storm-damaged docks with hurricane ties, uplift anchors, and heavier cross-bracing. On exposed shorelines, we recommend wave attenuator modules or offshore breakwater spacing to reduce wave energy reaching the dock.
In narrow canals, we design compact gangways and ADA 1:12 slopes with handrails and landings, ensuring smooth access even with limited frontage.
Results You Can Expect
Most projects move from concept to permits in 4–10 weeks, depending on USACE/GLO timelines, with field construction typically 2–6 weeks after materials arrive. You’ll receive maintenance guidance, including pile wrapping, fastener checks, and seasonal lift service.
The outcome: a stable, attractive dock that fits your slip needs, reduces wear on your boat, and stands up to Houston’s weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a dock in Houston or on Galveston Bay?
Most docks require approvals. We guide you through the USACE Galveston District Joint Permit process (Section 10/404) and Texas GLO coastal registrations/easements where applicable. City or county building and floodplain permits may also apply. Requirements vary by location (e.g., Clear Lake, Baytown, Galveston). We prepare drawings, coordinate engineering, and submit complete packages to reduce review cycles and keep your timeline on track.
How much does it cost to build a dock in Houston, TX?
Costs vary by size, water depth, materials, and accessories. As a ballpark, small residential docks often range from $18,000–$45,000; larger, lift-ready or composite projects with gangways can run $45,000–$120,000+. Exposed sites, deeper piles, and premium decking increase price. We provide line-item estimates so you can compare options like composite vs. treated lumber, aluminum vs. timber frames, and lift or lighting upgrades.
Which is better for Clear Lake: a floating dock or a fixed pier?
Clear Lake’s level changes and boat wakes often favor floating docks for consistent step heights and easier boarding. In more sheltered canals or where bottom conditions suit piles, a fixed pier can offer a solid feel with less moving hardware. We evaluate fetch, depth, and use (kayaks, PWC, or a boat lift) to recommend the best fit—and can combine systems with a fixed pier and floating finger.
What materials last longest for saltwater docks near Houston?
For brackish/saltwater, we favor stainless steel 316 hardware, composite decking (PVC/HDPE), FRP composite piles or wrapped timber piles, and vinyl sheet pile bulkheads. Encapsulated EPS or rotomolded HDPE floats resist water intrusion. Pressure-treated southern yellow pine with copper azole/MCA treatment performs well when detailed correctly. We’ll match materials to exposure, UV, and salinity to maximize service life and control maintenance.
How long does dock construction take from design to completion?
Expect concept and pricing in 1–2 weeks, permit drawings in 2–4 weeks, and agency reviews in 30–120 days depending on scope and season. Once permitted and materials are staged, field construction typically takes 2–6 weeks. We plan barge access and pile driving around tides and weather, and we keep you updated at each step so scheduling stays predictable.
Do I need a Texas GLO easement for my residential pier?
Many residential piers on state coastal public lands require GLO authorization. In certain cases, residential structures up to defined limits (often ≤115 feet, non-commercial, with navigation safeguards) may be eligible for registration rather than a lease. Final requirements depend on location, waterbody, and use. We verify current Texas GLO rules and handle submittals so your project aligns with Chapter 33 and local conditions.
What electrical code applies to docks and boat lifts in Texas?
Dock electrical systems must follow NEC Article 555 and local amendments. We design with GFCI/ELCI protection, bonding, and clear labeling to mitigate ESD risks. NFPA 303 guidance applies to marinas/boatyards. Work is performed by a TDLR-registered electrical contractor, and we test with ELCI/GFCI equipment before commissioning to confirm protection devices operate as intended.
Can you add a boat lift or kayak launch to an existing dock?
Often yes. We verify structural capacity, pile spacing, and clearances, then specify a compatible lift or low-freeboard kayak launch. Upgrades may include cross-bracing, larger footings, or helical anchors. We install brand-supported systems and integrate power per NEC 555. For modular floating docks, we can add EZ Dock or Wave Armor sections for PWC/kayaks without major rework.
What is the ideal gangway slope for ADA-compliant access?
ADA guidance targets a 1:12 slope (1 inch rise per 12 inches run) with handrails and intermediate landings as needed. Because water levels change, we design for typical operating ranges and include transition plates or landings. Clear widths, guardrails, and slip-resistant surfaces improve safety for all users. We coordinate with local officials to meet practical accessibility goals at your site.
How do docks withstand hurricanes and storm surge in the Gulf?
We design for wind, wave, and uplift loads using hurricane ties, increased pile embedment, cross-bracing, and uplift anchors. Floating systems use helical or heavy chain/deadman anchoring sized to site fetch. In exposed areas, wave attenuator systems reduce energy before it reaches your dock. Hardware selection (SS316), robust connections, and debris-aware layouts help your dock ride out severe weather.