Houston Docks

Thousands of satisfied customers
Local and family owned
+15 years in business
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Licensed & Insured Floating Platform Installation Houston TX

Water levels change, storms roll through, and you still need a safe, stable place to launch, work, or play. We install floating platforms that handle Houston’s tides, wakes, and floods—without the headaches of a fixed pier. From PWC drive-on docks to ADA kayak launches and industrial work platforms, we build systems that perform and last.

With 15+ years in Greater Houston, we know Lake Houston permits, Clear Lake conditions, and Galveston Bay wave exposure. Our crews use aluminum frames, HDPE modular cubes, 316 stainless hardware, and engineered anchoring to deliver reliable results. Fully insured, OSHA-trained, and ABYC-informed, we make it simple to get the platform you need. Ready to get started? Contact us for a free, same-week site assessment.

Why Our Floating Platform Installation Delivers Safety, Reliability, and Lasting Value

You’re looking for a stable, low-maintenance solution that fits your shoreline, water depth, and use—without surprises. Professional installation is the difference between a platform that drifts, squeaks, or fails and one that stays put and performs. With Floating Platform Installation Houston TX, you get engineered anchoring, code-aware electrical options, and clean fit-and-finish. Expect safer access, less upkeep, and a platform built for Houston’s wind, fetch, and floods.

Safety & Risk Elimination

Your family, guests, or crew need a platform that’s predictable underfoot. We design freeboard and buoyancy to match loads—fishing, swimming, jet skis, or work equipment—and we follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926.106 for over-water work. On commercial sites, we add rails, ladders, non-slip FRP grating where needed, and clear egress.

Anchoring matters most. We specify helical anchors, chain-and-cable moorings, or pile guides based on depth, substrate, and wave exposure. In high-fetch zones like Galveston Bay, we increase scope and hardware grade to reduce swing and shock loads. The result: fewer callbacks and a safer platform in rough conditions.

Professional Results & Quality

We assemble modular cube docks (EZ Dock, Candock) with torque-verified couplers and 316 stainless fasteners. Aluminum gangways hinge cleanly, keeping slopes within ADA guidance where applicable. Electrical upgrades follow NEC Article 555 and NFPA 303 for marina safety.

Materials are chosen for the environment: UV-stable HDPE, encapsulated EPS floats, composite decking, and galvanized or aluminum structure. That means quiet, rigid connections, smooth drive-on transitions for PWCs, and accessories—cleats, fenders, rub rails—that hold up to Texas sun and brackish water.

Time & Stress Savings

Permits can stall a project. We help with City of Houston/Lake Houston pier permits, Harris County floodplain (Chapter 19), USACE Section 10/404 (Galveston District), and Texas GLO coastal requirements. You get a single point of contact and clear timelines.

Our mobile crews arrive with a work barge, spud poles, rotary laser, and helical drivers to finish most residential installs in 1–2 days once permits are cleared. We handle staging, delivery, assembly, and final adjustments—so you don’t lose weekends learning on the fly.

Cost-Effective Solution

Proper anchoring and layout prevent damage from chafe, racking, and storm surge—saving money over DIY or under-built systems. Modular platforms scale as your needs grow, so you can start small and expand without redoing the whole dock.

We offer reconfiguration, seasonal removal/reinstall services, and maintenance plans. Many systems carry manufacturer warranties up to 10–20 years, and we specify components that reduce corrosion and replacement cycles in brackish areas.

Peace of Mind & Warranty

We’re fully insured, OSHA 10/30 trained, and ABYC E-11 informed for marine electrical. Where required, we coordinate TDLR-licensed electricians and can provide engineering letters with load and buoyancy calculations for submittals.

You’ll receive a written scope, clear drawings, and a workmanship warranty. If a storm is forecast, ask about our hurricane tie-down protocols and rapid response for removal and reinstallation to protect your investment.

How Our Floating Platform Projects Work

We keep the process straightforward, transparent, and on schedule. Here’s what to expect from the first call to the final walkthrough.

Site Assessment – We survey depth, bottom type, fetch, and access. Photos, measurements, and intended use inform design.
Design & Estimate – You’ll receive drawings, materials, anchoring plan, and a fixed-price quote with lead times.
Permitting Support – We assist with Lake Houston pier permits, floodplain documentation, USACE/GLO submissions as needed.
Installation – Our barge crew assembles modules, sets anchors/piles, installs gangway/rails, and tunes freeboard.
Final Check & Handover – We verify torque, connections, and clearances; provide care tips and warranty documentation.

Why Choose Houston Docks for Floating Platform Installation in Houston

At Houston Docks, we combine local waterway experience with rigorous safety and engineering discipline. Our team has delivered thousands of feet of floating docks across Lake Houston, Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, and the San Jacinto River. We’re fully insured, OSHA-trained, and active with ABYC and the Texas Marina Association. When you need reliable access on the water—residential, commercial, or industrial—we design and install platforms that work day one and year five.

Permitting, Compliance, and Engineering You Can Trust

Permits vary by waterbody and jurisdiction. We guide you through the City of Houston Lake Houston Stationary & Floating Piers Permit, Annual Pier License, and Harris County Floodplain Development (Chapter 19). For navigable waters, we coordinate USACE Section 10/404 (Galveston District) and Texas GLO coastal leases/easements. Industrial projects benefit from our documentation support, including buoyancy/load calculations and hurricane/wave load considerations for submittals.

Where electrical is involved, we follow NEC Article 555 (2023) and NFPA 303, bringing in a TDLR-licensed electrician for service, bonding, lighting, and GFCI/EOL protection. ADA-friendly kayak launches are designed around 2010 Standards for accessible routes, slopes, and transfer systems.

Safety-First, Fully Insured Operations

Working over water carries risk. Our crews follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926.106, wear USCG-rated PFDs, and use ANSI/ASSP Z359 fall protection where required. We complete job hazard analyses, conduct toolbox talks, and maintain First Aid/CPR certifications. This isn’t just policy—it’s how we prevent incidents and keep your project moving.

From staging to final torque checks, we control the jobsite: spud barge stabilization, exclusion zones, and lockout/tagout when integrating electrical. You’ll see the difference in a tidy site, proper barricades, and a smooth inspection sign-off.

Pro-Grade Systems, Materials, and Tools

We install proven brands like EZ Dock and Candock modular cubes, plus aluminum gangways, galvanized steel hardware, and 316 stainless fasteners. For specialty needs, we add FRP grating, composite decking, rubber fenders, polyethylene ladders, and cleats that stand up to brackish water.

Tools matter: rotary laser leveling, bathymetry sounders, helical anchor drivers, impact torque bars, winches and come‑alongs, and pile driving when guides are specified. Anchoring options include helical anchors, chain/cable moorings, and timber or steel pipe piles—selected based on soil and wave analysis.

Local Water Knowledge and Responsive Service

Houston water is unique. Lake Houston swings with rainfall. Clear Lake sees boat wakes and weekend traffic. Galveston Bay brings wind fetch and brackish corrosion. We tune freeboard, choose anchoring systems, and spec coatings with these variables in mind.

Need a PWC drive-on array in Kingwood, an ADA kayak launch in Seabrook, or a floating work platform in Baytown? We mobilize quickly across Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, and Chambers counties—backed by parts on hand and a service team for repairs and reconfiguration.

Professional Floating Platform Installation Backed by Years of Local Experience

We’ve delivered residential swim platforms, PWC drive-on docks, ADA kayak launches, commercial finger piers, and industrial work barges across the Greater Houston area. Our portfolio includes Lake Houston, Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, and Conroe waterfronts. For Floating Platform Installation Houston TX, we tailor layouts, freeboard, and anchoring to your site so your platform performs in real conditions—not just on paper.

Types of Floating Platform Projects We Handle

Residential: jet ski floating docks, kayak/SUP launches, and family swim platforms with ladders and bumpers. We integrate aluminum gangways and rails to keep access comfortable year-round.

Commercial/Industrial: marina finger piers, floating work platforms for maintenance, and temporary walkways or event stages. We also support seaplane platforms and rowing shells/crew docks where precision freeboard matters.

Our Proven Methods and Materials

We begin with a site assessment and depth survey, then run load and buoyancy calculations. Modular cube grid assemblies are pinned and torque-verified. We set helical anchors or piles, then tune expansion joints and connections to reduce racking.

Materials include HDPE modular cubes, encapsulated EPS floats, aluminum frames, galvanized steel hardware, and composite or FRP decking. We specify rubber fenders and corrosion-resistant components for brackish locations.

Complex Conditions We’ve Mastered

In April 2023 on Clear Lake, our team assembled a 40' x 20' event platform in under 6 hours with wave-attenuating orientation and additional scope in the mooring lines. It hosted 150 guests safely for a weekend festival.

On Galveston Bay, we upgraded a community dock with pile guides and heavier chain to handle northeast fetch. On Lake Houston (77044/77346), we navigated pier licensing and floodplain approvals without delaying the install.

Results You Can Expect

Typical residential installs complete in 1–2 days after permits. Commercial arrays vary from 3–7 days depending on anchoring and electrical scope. We finish with a walkthrough, torque check, and maintenance plan so your platform stays quiet, stable, and low-maintenance.

Need to expand? Modular systems reconfigure easily. Add a PWC port, kayak bay, or work float later without starting over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a floating dock on Lake Houston?

Yes. The City of Houston requires a Lake Houston Stationary & Floating Piers Permit, plus an Annual Pier License and inspection. Many sites also need a Harris County Floodplain Development Permit (Chapter 19). If the project touches navigable waters or wetlands, USACE Section 10/404 (Galveston District) and Texas GLO easements may apply. We help prepare drawings, load/buoyancy notes, and submit the right forms so approvals don’t slow your timeline.

How much does a floating dock cost in the Houston area?

Costs vary by size, freeboard, materials, anchoring, and accessories. Residential modular platforms typically start in the mid four figures, while larger arrays with gangways, rails, or ADA launches move higher. Heavier anchoring for Galveston Bay or electrical per NEC 555 also affects price. We provide a fixed, itemized quote after a quick site assessment and depth/bottom check.

Is a floating dock better than a fixed pier for fluctuating water levels?

In many Houston-area locations, yes. Floating systems rise and fall with Lake Houston and Clear Lake, maintaining consistent freeboard and safer access. They also avoid frequent adjustments seen on fixed piers during floods. Where wave energy is high, we specify stronger anchoring or pile guides and, when appropriate, consider hybrid solutions to balance stability with flexibility.

What anchors work best for floating platforms in Texas bays and lakes?

It depends on depth and bottom type. We use helical anchors for soft clays and mucky bottoms, chain and cable moorings where scope is available, and timber or steel pipe piles with guides for high-fetch areas like Galveston Bay. We perform mooring analysis to reduce swing, shock loads, and chafe for long-term reliability.

Can I add a jet ski drive-on dock to an existing pier?

Usually yes. We can attach a PWC port to your existing structure, adding rub rails and cleats as needed. We match freeboard and alignment for smooth drive-on/off, and we’ll confirm your pier’s condition can handle the added loads. Brands like EZ Dock and Candock integrate well with many existing setups.

Are kayak launches ADA compliant and what’s required?

We offer ADA-friendly kayak/canoe launch systems with transfer benches, grab rails, and controlled slopes via an appropriate gangway length. We design routes around 2010 ADA Standards where feasible and provide drawings for review. The result is safer, more independent access for paddlers with varying mobility needs.

What electrical code applies to docks and marinas in Houston?

NEC Article 555 (2023) and NFPA 303 govern marina and docking facility electrical. For lighting, receptacles, bonding, and GFCI/EOL protection, we coordinate with a TDLR-licensed electrician. We also consider corrosion protection and proper conduit routing on floating structures to reduce failures and nuisance trips.

How long does installation take?

Most residential modular platforms install in 1–2 days once permits and materials are ready. Commercial or industrial projects may take 3–7 days, depending on anchoring (helical vs. piles), electrical, and access. We’ll share a realistic schedule after your site assessment so you can plan around delivery and launch.

Will a floating dock survive hurricanes or storm surges?

No dock is “hurricane-proof,” but design choices matter. We increase anchor scope, specify higher-grade hardware, and add pile guides where exposure warrants. We also offer hurricane tie-down protocols and, when time allows, removal and rapid reinstall services. Proactive prep protects your investment and speeds post-storm recovery.

Do you offer rentals for temporary work platforms or events?

Yes. We provide temporary floating work platforms, walkways, and event stages with delivery and setup across Harris, Galveston, and surrounding counties. Rentals include the right anchoring and a safety-focused installation so your project or event stays on schedule and in compliance.