A Beginner’s Guide to Building a Dock
If you feel more relaxed when you’re by the water, it’s not just in your head. Studies show that spending time near the water can improve your mental and physical well-being.
Want to spend even more time out by the water near your home? Consider building a dock that the whole family can enjoy! Keep reading this brief dock building guide to learn tips on how to do it right.
Figure Out What Kind of Dock to Build
First things first, you need to decide if you want to build a floating dock or a stationary one. A floating dock rests on the surface of the water, slightly moving with the change of the tide. They use buoyant floats to stay in place and are a great option in areas where the water levels change often.
Stationary docks are permanent, resting on piles that are in the ground under the water. They’re a better option in areas with frequent flooding and water that doesn’t freeze.
Set a Budget
Once you have a better idea about the type of dock installation you want to do, you’ll need to set a budget for your project. Depending on the size and type of structure you choose, your dock may only be a few thousand dollars or it can be tens of thousands of dollars.
When trying to decide on a budget, remember to account for the cost of the dock materials, potential installation fees, and any features you want like ladders for boats and docks.
Gather the Materials
Now that you have a budget in place, it’s time to gather all the materials you need. Regardless of whether you’re building a floating dock or a stationary one, you’ll need a variety of different tools such as the following:
- Tape measure
- Saw
- Drill
- Nail gun
- Bolts and washers
When building a floating dock, you’ll also need dock floats, pressure-treated lumber, and side, end, and cross stringers. The amount of lumber you’ll need largely depends on how big you want your dock to be. Most of the time, you’ll also need more if you choose to build a stationary dock.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
The construction process is often not a one-person job. Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of others, either by hiring a professional dock installation company or asking a few handy friends for assistance.
Regardless of which type of deck you build, be sure to do the initial construction on a flat piece of land, where you can test to make sure it’s structurally sound before moving it to the water. If everything looks good, you can move it out to the water to finish the installation, adjusting how far out into the water you want it to go.
Tips for Building a Dock
Now that you’ve read these tips on building a dock, it’s time to get to work! Figure out which type of dock makes the most sense for your needs, set a budget, and start the building and installation process. Before you know it, you’ll be spending more time than ever out enjoying the water.
To read more lifestyle content like this, be sure to check out our other articles today.
June Potter wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
HTV Native Ad Solutions and Hearst partners may earn revenue when readers click affiliate links in this article.