Houston Docks

Thousands of satisfied customers
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+15 years in business
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Trusted, Local Dock Builder in San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay, TX

With 15+ years on Galveston Bay, Houston Docks designs, builds, and repairs docks that stand up to wind, waves, and salt. We’re local, fully insured, and experienced with USACE/GLO permits, TWIA windstorm (WPI-8), and NEC Article 555 shore power. From fishing piers to boathouses and boat lifts, we build safe, durable waterfront structures that fit your site and budget.

Whether you’re dealing with erosion, storm damage, or aging pilings, we’re here to help. Get a fast, no-pressure estimate from the Dock Builder San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay TX homeowners trust. Call us today and we’ll walk you through options, materials, and a clear timeline.

Marine Construction & Dock Services Built for Galveston Bay Conditions

We focus on long-lasting docks, bulkheads, and lifts engineered for Dickinson Bay’s wind, waves, and brackish water. Our team pairs proven materials with professional pile driving, safe work practices, and permit-ready plans.

Dock Construction

We design and build custom docks and piers that handle daily tides and storm surge. Our crews set 10–14 inch timber or composite piles using a crane barge with vibratory hammer and impact driver, then frame with cap-and-stringer systems. Decking options include WearDeck, Trex, and open-grid ThruFlow panels for drainage and longevity. We use stainless 316 or hot-dip galvanized fasteners, pile sleeves/caps, and windstorm-rated connections. Need riprap toe protection or living shoreline elements? We integrate those too. Learn more about our Dock Construction services.

Bulkhead Installation

Protect your shoreline with engineered bulkheads and seawalls. We install ShoreGuard vinyl sheet piles, steel sheet piling, and timber options with geotextile, whalers, tie-rods, and deadman anchors. Where wave energy is higher, we add 18–24 inch riprap and toe protection; we also offer cathodic protection and PVC pile jackets to fight corrosion and shipworms. Our team handles Galveston County Floodplain permits and Texas GLO coordination. Learn more about our Bulkhead Installation services.

Boat & Jet Ski Lift Installation

From 4‑post and 8‑post lifts to elevator lifts, we install systems sized 6,000–20,000 lb with aluminum cradles, bunks, and walkways. We provide ABYC E‑11 compliant shore power, GFCI protection, and NEC Article 555 electrical in coordination with a licensed dock electrician. We also set power pedestals and lighting for safe night docking. Ask about stainless and galvanized options to resist salt spray in San Leon’s 77539. Learn more about our Boat & Jet Ski Lift Installation services.

Dock Repair

Storm damage, rot, or failing fasteners? We replace caps and stringers, re-deck with composite, wrap or jacket pilings, and add helical tie-backs where needed. Our crews use silt/turbidity curtains for in-water work and can upgrade connections to meet WPI‑8E windstorm standards. We stock CCA‑treated wood pilings (2.5 pcf) and marine-grade hardware for quick turnaround after Gulf weather events. Learn more about our Dock Repair services.

Floating Dock Construction

For variable water levels and canals, floating docks deliver stable access. We install polyethylene modular cubes and EZ Dock platforms with closed-cell foam floats, hinged gangways, and compliant gangway slopes. Add a kayak/canoe launch or PWC platform for easy boarding. Our floating designs are engineered for Dickinson Bayou and tie into existing bulkheads or pilings using adjustable guides. Learn more about our Floating Dock Construction services.

Other Services We Offer

Why Choose Houston Docks for Dock Building in San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay

Houston Docks brings coastal know-how, proven engineering, and a safety-first crew to every project. We’ve completed thousands of builds across Galveston Bay—piers, boathouses, lifts, and bulkheads—each tailored to tides, fetch, and soil at your exact site. As a trusted Dock Builder San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay TX residents rely on, we manage permits, meet windstorm standards, and back our work with clear warranties and prompt service.

Permitting and Coastal Compliance, Handled

Permits can be complex on Dickinson Bay. We navigate USACE Galveston District Section 10/404, Texas GLO coastal authorizations, and Galveston County Floodplain Development permits for unincorporated San Leon/Bacliff. We also prepare Nationwide Permit pre‑construction notifications when required and coordinate surveys with GPS/laser level. You get a precise submittal package with plan sets, materials, and construction methods explained.

Windstorm requirements matter on the Bay. We design to TDI standards and coordinate TWIA/TDI WPI‑8/WPI‑8E certification for eligible docks, boathouses, and covers. Expect stamped details for windstorm-rated connections, bracing, and freeboard recommendations that reduce surge and wave damage.

Engineering, Materials, and Build Quality That Last

Salt and sun punish waterfront structures. We specify CCA 2.5 pcf timber, fiberglass or prestressed concrete piles where warranted, stainless 316 or hot-dip galvanized fasteners, and corrosion control plans with galvanic isolation and sacrificial anodes on metal components. PVC pile jackets and splash‑zone wraps add decades of service life by blocking borers and abrasion.

Decking options include WearDeck, TimberTech, and Trex; open‑grid ThruFlow improves drainage and reduces uplift forces. We use cap-and-stringer framing, whalers, and tie‑rod systems sized for your loads. For shorelines, we compare living shoreline elements (oyster breakwaters, marsh plantings) against vinyl or steel bulkheads, often pairing both for resilient protection.

Safety, Electrical, and Windstorm Standards

Our crews maintain OSHA 10/30 training and follow over‑water fall protection. For shore power, we align with ABYC E‑11 and NEC Article 555 (2024 updates) including GFCI protection, equipotential bonding, shock‑hazard signage, and electrical datum plane clearances. We coordinate with a licensed dock electrician to deliver compliant lighting and power pedestals.

Hardware is torque‑checked, and piles are load‑tested where required. We deploy silt/turbidity curtains to protect water quality during demolition and pile driving. The result: a safe, code‑compliant dock that’s built for storms and everyday use.

Right Equipment, Local Waterway Experience

From Eagle Point to Dickinson Bayou, our barge crews know local depths, soils, and fetch. We bring a crane barge, vibratory pile hammer, impact driver, jetting pump, and underwater rotary hammer to place piles straight and true. An excavator with thumb and compactor ensures proper backfill and tie‑back tensioning on bulkheads.

We’re members of PDCA, MAT, and AMI/IMI, and we support Galveston Bay Foundation and CCA Texas initiatives. Whether you need a pier builder in San Leon or marine construction in Dickinson Bay, you’ll get responsive scheduling, clean job sites, and clear communication from start to finish.

Dock Services Across Greater Houston Waterfronts

Houston Docks proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Greater Houston—shorelines, canals, rivers, and bays from Clear Lake to West Bay. If you’re within a 30‑mile radius of Houston or anywhere on Galveston Bay, we’ve likely worked in your neighborhood. Count on fast site visits and quick mobilization when water levels and weather cooperate.

Serving All Neighborhoods in San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay

We’re frequently on the water near Eagle Point Fishing Camp, Bayshore Park & Boat Ramp in Bacliff, and around Kemah Boardwalk Marina. Our team understands local wind fetch, brackish conditions, and the permitting nuances for San Leon 77539 and nearby 77518, 77565, and 77573. From bulkhead replacement to boat lift installation, we build to local code and coastal best practices.

If you need a reliable dock builder in San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay, we’re ready to help with design, permits, and construction tailored to your site.

Other locations we serve near San Leon Bayfront / Dickinson Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

What dock and pier options fit Galveston Bay conditions?

On San Leon and Dickinson Bay, we recommend fixed pile docks with 10–14 inch timber, fiberglass, or prestressed concrete piles and windstorm-rated bracing. Open-grid decking (ThruFlow) reduces uplift. In fetch‑exposed areas, floating systems with robust pile guides and hinged gangways work well. For shorelines, pair a vinyl or steel bulkhead with 18–24 inch riprap toe protection. Every site differs—soil, fetch, and wave period drive our design recommendations after a site visit.

Do you handle permits with USACE, GLO, and Galveston County?

Yes. We manage USACE Galveston District Section 10/404 submittals, Texas GLO coastal approvals, and Galveston County Floodplain permits for unincorporated San Leon/Bacliff. We also prepare Nationwide Permit notifications when applicable and coordinate any coastal lease/easement needs. You’ll receive drawings, methods, and materials specifications ready for agency review, plus we track timelines and answer RFI’s to keep your project moving.

Floating vs. fixed docks—what’s right for Dickinson Bay?

Fixed docks are best for stability in wave‑exposed areas and heavy loads like boathouses. Floating docks excel where water levels vary and for PWC/kayak access. On Dickinson Bay, we often use fixed main piers with a floating platform and adjustable pile guides. We’ll assess tide range, fetch, and freeboard needs (often 18–24 inches) to recommend the safest, lowest‑maintenance option for your site and budget.

What materials are best for saltwater docks and bulkheads?

For piles, CCA‑treated timber (2.5 pcf), fiberglass/composite, or prestressed concrete perform well. Decking options include WearDeck, TimberTech, and Trex; ThruFlow open‑grid helps drain and reduces uplift. For bulkheads, ShoreGuard vinyl or steel sheet piling with geotextile, whalers, and tie‑backs is typical. We use stainless 316 or hot‑dip galvanized hardware and may add PVC pile jackets and sacrificial anodes for corrosion and borer resistance.

Do your projects meet Texas windstorm (WPI‑8) requirements?

We design with windstorm‑rated connections, lateral bracing, and uplift details, then coordinate TWIA/TDI WPI‑8/WPI‑8E inspections where eligible. On the Bayfront, we also recommend additional freeboard, stronger pile embedment, and continuous load paths. You’ll get documentation and schedules so certification is efficient and aligned with your construction timeline.

Do you need a permit to build a dock in Texas?

Typically yes on Galveston Bay. Most projects require USACE authorization (Galveston District), Texas GLO approval, and local floodplain or building permits, plus NEC Article 555 compliance for shore power. We provide a San Leon/Dickinson Bay permit checklist and handle submittals, surveys, and agency coordination so you’re covered from concept through approvals.

Do docks require GFCI and special electrical per NEC?

Yes. NEC Article 555 requires GFCI protection, bonding, and clearances relative to the electrical datum plane. We follow ABYC E‑11 for shore power interfaces, install shock‑hazard signage, and coordinate with a licensed dock electrician. Our 2024–2025 practices reflect current code so your lighting and lift power are both safe and compliant.

What is riprap and when is it used with bulkheads?

Riprap is rock armor placed at the base of a bulkhead to absorb wave energy and prevent scour. On Dickinson Bay, we commonly use 18–24 inch stone over geotextile, tying into the sheet pile toe for stability. It’s especially important on corners, outfalls, and fetch‑exposed frontages to extend bulkhead life and reduce maintenance.

How much does it cost to build a dock in Texas?

Costs vary with length, water depth, materials, and exposure. As a ballpark, simple residential fishing piers may start around the low five figures, while boathouses with lifts and composite decking can extend higher. We provide line‑item estimates and options—wood vs composite, fixed vs floating, lift sizes—to match your goals and site conditions in San Leon and Dickinson Bay.