Houston Docks

Thousands of satisfied customers
Local and family owned
+15 years in business
Licensed and insured
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Licensed & Insured Floating Dock Construction in Houston, TX

Water levels, wind, and waves change fast around Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, and Lake Houston. You need a dock that rises and falls safely, protects your boat, and lasts in brackish water. We design and build floating docks that do exactly that.

With 15+ years on Gulf Coast waters, Houston Docks brings engineered anchoring, welded aluminum frames, and proven float systems to every project. We’re manufacturer-authorized, fully insured, and experienced with local permitting. When you want dependable Floating Dock Construction Houston TX, we deliver durable results and clean finishes—on time.

Let’s plan a dock that fits your shoreline, vessels, and budget. Contact us for a free on-site assessment and estimate.

Why Our Floating Dock Construction Delivers Safety, Longevity, and Value

You want a dock that’s safe, steady, and easy to own—without surprises. Professional design and installation prevent the headaches that DIY kits or generic builders can create. With our Floating Dock Construction Houston TX services, you get engineered anchoring, corrosion-resistant materials, and clean, code-aware electrical that work together for years of worry-free use.

Safety & Risk Elimination

Your family, guests, and vessels come first. We design for wind, surge, and current using mooring calculations, pile guides, and redundant connections where needed. Helical anchors are installed to torque spec and pull-tested; we document readings for your records. On marinas, we lay out power pedestals to NEC Article 555 clearances and apply NFPA 303 best practices.

Real-world example: a Lake Houston homeowner had recurrent dock drift during high water. We upgraded to helical anchors with 4,500–6,000 ft-lbs torque, added chain-catenary mooring, and a hinged gangway. The dock stayed secure through a 3.2-ft surge event.

Professional Results & Quality

We build with welded 6061-T6 aluminum frames, encapsulated EPS or HDPE floats, stainless 316 fasteners, and hot-dip galvanized hardware. Anti-slip composite/capped PVC decking resists UV and brackish corrosion. UHMW pile guide rollers, PVC rub rail, and clean trim work protect hulls and give a finished look.

Expect tight module alignment, quiet connections, and freeboard that matches your boats and PWC. We’re certified on aluminum welding (AWS D1.2) and follow ABYC marine systems standards for accessories, lighting, and bonding.

Time & Stress Savings

Permits and approvals can be confusing. We handle City of Houston Lake Houston pier permits, annual pier licenses, USACE Section 10/404 as applicable, Texas GLO coastal leases, and local municipal permits in Seabrook, Kemah, League City, and beyond. You get one point of contact from design through final walk-through.

Our barge crews, cranes, vibratory hammers, and torque drivers keep on-water work efficient. Typical installs take 3–10 days once permits and materials are ready—no disruption to your yard or bulkhead.

Cost-Effective Solution

A dock built right the first time costs less over its life. Proper anchoring prevents damage during storms. Composite decking and anodized aluminum reduce maintenance. Thoughtful cable routing, sealed junctions, and GFPE-protected circuits minimize electrical service calls.

We design for expansion—add a PWC port, kayak launch, or additional slip later without reworking the whole dock. Modular connectors and future-ready stub-outs protect your investment.

Peace of Mind & Warranty

We’re fully insured for marine operations and back our workmanship with a written warranty. You also receive manufacturer warranties on floats and decking, documented at handoff. We offer seasonal maintenance plans and storm-readiness checks to keep your dock shipshape.

Prefer extra assurance? Ask about hurricane preparedness retrofits—additional mooring points, upgraded anchors, and breakwater integration for exposed shorelines.

How Our Floating Dock Installation Process Works

We make the process clear and predictable. From the first call to final tie-off, our team handles details, permits, and scheduling so you can relax.

1) Site Assessment – We visit your property, survey water depth and bottom conditions, and map wind/wave exposure.
2) Design & Permits – We create drawings, select anchoring and decking, and submit required permits (City of Houston/Lake Houston, USACE, Texas GLO, county/municipal).
3) Fabrication – Aluminum frames are welded to spec; floats, hardware, and gangway components are pre-assembled for efficient install.
4) On-Water Installation – Our barge crew sets anchors/piles, assembles modules, installs gangway and accessories, and adjusts freeboard.
5) Electrical & Final Walk-Through – Marina-grade power pedestals, lighting, and signage are completed by ABYC-aware techs, followed by owner orientation.

Why Choose Houston Docks for Floating Dock Construction in Houston

At Houston Docks, we combine local waterway knowledge with disciplined marine construction. Our team has delivered thousands of feet of residential and commercial floating docks across the Greater Houston coast. We bring certified welding, ABYC-aware electrical, and thorough safety practices to every job. From Lake Houston to Clear Lake and Galveston Bay, we tailor each dock to the site, your vessels, and your long-term plans.

Certified Expertise You Can Trust

Our fabricators hold AWS D1.2 Structural Aluminum Welding qualifications. Project leaders carry OSHA 30 and First Aid/CPR, with marina operations experience through AMI programs (CMM/CMO). We’re authorized by major modular brands—ask about EZ Dock dealer installation and Wave Armor systems when modular is the right fit.

Electrical work aligns with ABYC standards and NEC Article 555 practices for docking facilities. We specify GFPE/GFCI protection, bonding, and emergency shutoff placement appropriate for the site.

Insurance, Safety, and Compliance

We maintain full general liability and marine coverage. Field operations follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and USACE EM 385-1-1 safety requirements on the water. For marinas and mixed-use projects, we incorporate NFPA 303 guidance into layouts and signage to reduce fire and electric shock drowning hazards.

Expect documented anchor torque/pull tests, lift plans for craning, and job-specific safety plans. You get permits, inspections, and closeout records organized in one packet.

Right Equipment for Marine Work

Our work barge, push boat, and truck- or barge-mounted cranes keep projects moving despite tides and weather windows. We install helical anchors with hydraulic torque drivers, drive piles with vibratory hammers, and confirm alignment using laser levels and total station/GPS.

Subsurface data matters. We use soil probes/core samplers and sounding poles to choose anchor types and lengths that perform in Houston’s soft mud bottoms.

Local Permitting & Waterway Knowledge

We regularly process City of Houston Stationary and Floating Piers permits and the Annual Pier License for Lake Houston, coordinate Harris County floodplain approvals, and handle USACE Section 10/404 where required. Along the coast, we assist with Texas General Land Office coastal leases/easements for submerged lands.

We also work with municipalities around Clear Lake—Seabrook, Kemah, League City, Clear Lake Shores—and bayside jurisdictions from Baytown to Galveston. HOAs and shoreline rules? We’ll prepare submittals and meet with boards when needed.

Customer-First Warranties and Service

Your dock should be easy to own. We provide a written 2-year workmanship warranty and pass through manufacturer warranties on floats and decking (often 5–10 years on flotation modules; decking varies by brand). Seasonal maintenance plans include bolt checks, float inspections, and gangway adjustments.

When storms threaten, we offer emergency tie-downs and post-event inspections. Many clients choose hurricane-resistant anchoring upgrades for extra confidence before peak season.

Floating Dock Construction Backed by Years of Local Experience

We’ve delivered residential floating docks, marina slips, and specialty platforms across the Greater Houston area, including Lake Houston, Clear Lake, Seabrook, Kemah, League City, Baytown, and Galveston. Our Floating Dock Construction projects range from compact PWC ports to full marina expansions with power pedestals and ADA gangways. If you’re searching for a floating dock installer Houston property owners trust, you’re in the right place.

Types of Projects We Handle

Residential: family-friendly docks on lakes and bayous with kayak launches, PWC drive-on ports, and boat lift integration. We tune freeboard and bumpering to protect gelcoat and make boarding easy.

Commercial/Marina: floating finger piers, transient restaurant docks, and slip additions. We specify NEC 555-aware distribution, lighting, and safety signage. For exposed edges, we can integrate floating wave attenuators to reduce chop.

Our Proven Methods & Materials

Design begins with a bathymetric survey, site layout, and soil characterization. We select anchoring—helical, deadman, spud poles, or pile guides—based on exposure and bottom type. Helical anchors are installed to measured torque and verified by pull testing.

Frames are welded 6061-T6 aluminum; buoyancy comes from encapsulated EPS or HDPE roto-molded floats. Decking options include composite/capped PVC for low maintenance. Hardware uses stainless 316 and hot-dip galvanized steel. We add UHMW rollers, rub rail, cleats, and anti-slip surfaces.

Complex Conditions We’ve Mastered

Soft mud and storm surge are common in Houston. We engineer hurricane-ready mooring with catenary chains, upgraded anchors, and reinforced connectors. On Galveston Bay shorelines, we size floating breakwaters to local wave climate and fetch.

Tight bulkhead tie-ins? We fabricate custom gangways with proper heel/hinge geometry and handrails. Need dredging touch-ups at the basin? We coordinate minor dredge scopes and silt controls to restore safe approach depth.

Results You Can Expect

Stable, quiet docks that track water levels, smart electrical with GFPE protection, and clean fit-and-finish around hull contact points. Typical timelines: 3–12 weeks for permits and fabrication (site dependent) and 3–10 installation days once materials land.

You’ll receive as-built documentation, maintenance tips, and warranty info. Planning to expand later? We design modular connectors and stub-outs so adding a PWC port or extra slip is straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a floating dock in Houston?

Most projects fall between $65–$150 per square foot installed, driven by exposure, anchoring (helical vs. piles), decking choice, utilities, and access. Small PWC platforms may be less; commercial marina work with power pedestals and lighting can be higher. After a site visit, we provide a line-item estimate so you can compare options and phases that fit your budget in Houston and surrounding bays.

Do I need a permit for a floating dock on Lake Houston?

Yes. The City of Houston requires a Stationary and Floating Piers permit and an Annual Pier License for Lake Houston. Depending on location, you may also need a Floodplain Development Permit and, in some cases, USACE Section 10/404 authorization. We handle permit research, drawings, and submittals, and coordinate inspections so your dock is approved and documented correctly.

Are floating docks better than fixed docks for Clear Lake?

Floating docks rise and fall with water levels, making boarding easier and reducing storm damage compared to low fixed piers. In Clear Lake’s wind chop and boat wakes, quality modular or framed floats with proper anchoring perform well. On very exposed shorelines, we may recommend a floating wave attenuator or hybrid solution. We’ll evaluate fetch, depth, and bottom conditions to confirm the best approach.

Which anchoring system is best for Houston’s soft mud bottoms?

We often favor helical anchors because they develop reliable holding in soft sediments and can be torque-verified during install. For certain sites, deadman concrete anchors with catenary chains or mooring piles with pile guides are appropriate. After soil probing and load calculations, we’ll recommend the safest, most cost-effective system and document torque or pull-test results for your records.

What materials hold up in brackish water around Galveston Bay?

Welded 6061-T6 aluminum frames, encapsulated EPS or HDPE floats, stainless 316 fasteners, and hot-dip galvanized hardware are proven choices. For decking, composite or capped PVC minimizes maintenance and resists UV, moisture, and staining. We add corrosion mitigation—anodization, isolators, and sacrificial anodes as needed—based on your site’s salinity and electrical environment.

Do you handle marina electrical and what codes apply?

Yes. We coordinate marina-grade power pedestals, lighting, and bonding in line with NEC Article 555 and ABYC practices, with NFPA 303 informing safety layout and emergency shutoffs. We specify GFCI/GFPE protection and maintain datum plane clearances. Our process includes inspection support and commissioning checks to reduce shock and fire risks on Houston-area docks.

What size gangway do I need and how do ADA rules apply?

We size gangways by water level variation, freeboard, and use. ADA/ABA guidelines target a 1:12 slope, with practical exceptions allowing longer runs (often 30–80 feet) to maintain safe slopes as water levels change. For residential docks, we design comfortable, stable access with handrails and landings where appropriate, and we can complete ADA audits for community or commercial facilities.

Can floating docks withstand hurricanes or storm surge?

While no dock is hurricane-proof, engineering matters. We use upgraded helical anchors, reinforced connectors, and catenary chains to manage surge and wind loads. On exposed coastlines, floating breakwaters reduce wave energy. We also offer storm-prep plans—extra mooring, lift ties, and hardware checks—before peak season, plus post-storm inspections and repairs across Greater Houston.

How long do floating docks last and what maintenance is required?

With quality materials, expect 20+ years from aluminum-framed systems when maintained. Floats often carry 5–10-year manufacturer warranties; composite decking can last decades. Annual checks include bolt torque, connector wear, float integrity, and gangway adjustments. We offer maintenance plans and quick float replacement to keep your dock performing year-round.