Everything You Need to Know About Installing a Dock

Installing a dock in your lakefront home, marina or cabin can be an outstanding achievement. But it takes a high-quality and expertly engineered decking platform to enhance your life experience in ways that an ordinary dock cannot. 

The difference between a useful dock that’s attractive and one that’s inadequate lies with how you plan the dock installation process. We have covered what you need to know about dock installation – from the types of docks, choice of materials to whether you should opt for dock installation, do it yourself (DIY), or hire a professional.

Below is how you can tackle dock planning and installation.

Know What You Want 

Do you want to go fishing every weekend in a nearby lake and need a reliable decking platform? Or do you want to add some touch of class and elegance to your lake house while enjoying quick dives into the water?  

Knowing what you want often allows you to narrow down to what is really important and makes the decision-making process more streamlined.

First, you need to differentiate between a stationary and a floating dock. Stationary docks or piling docks are permanent structures built on concrete or woodpiles and sunk into the lake bed. Despite being a bit costly to install, they are solid and stable.

On the other hand, floating docks are more versatile since they fall and rise with the lake’s water level. You can also take them out of the water for storage during winter, avoiding damage due to ice and high winds.

That said, if you are looking for a more permanent structure outside your lakefront home, then a stationary dock will do.

However, if you install a dock in a nearby lake with fluctuating water levels, then a stationary dock would be your best pick.  

 

Do Your Research

Knowing what you want is not enough. You need to plan everything from start to end. The best way to speculate what you are required of is to do your research. For instance, you’ll need to know the dock cost per foot for each docking material and compare the overall cost with your allocated budget.

If you are going for a floating dock, you should consider dock installation and removal costs for the extended period you intend to use it. You can also compare options to choose a dock design that’s easy to assemble.

As far as the docking materials are concerned, it’s worth noting that different materials have varying costs, durability, and ease of customization. Here’s a quick summary:

• Plastic docks – they are durable but won’t look as stylish and classy as wood docks. They are also more affordable.
• Aluminum docks – resistant to corrosion, hence less maintenance.
• Wood docks – they look appealing and are often more customizable than all the other materials. The price of a wooden floating dock varies based on the type of wood used. Wooden docks also require regular maintenance. However, they are more comfortable, allowing you to walk barefoot, unlike aluminum or composite. 

Dock Installation Do it yourself (DIY): is it a good idea?  

The question of whether to go DIY or hire a professional is non-trivial. You need to see this through the lenses of durability, quality, and comfort. If you have prior experience installing docks, then you’ll be in a better position to maneuver around the lengthy installation procedures.  

Even then, you may still need to hire some heavy machinery such as a pile driver or excavator to get the job done. This equipment can be costly to rent, and it can mean hiring a dock installation company to do some part of the installation, making the whole DIY project complicated and more expensive.

If you are building a dock that you expect to serve you for a couple of years or even decades, going DIY might not be a good idea. The best route is to hire a professional dock installation company that’s experienced with a good reputation in the market.

Always take your time to go through the customer reviews or even ask potential companies to share their customer testimonials. Chances are, the best company will quickly surface from the rest. You just need to do your homework.

 

Let Us Help You  

If you plan to install a dock in and around the Lake Minnetonka area, our licensed technicians at Tonka Built are ready to help. We bring decades of industry experience to the market and are committed to getting you prepared for the waters at any time of year. 

As a full-service dock company, you can trust us to build and install your preferred dock or choose one from our wide array of high-quality, ready-made lakeshore accessories. For inquiries, contact us today via email at [email protected] or phone: 952-221-5340 to speak to one of our friendly customer support personnel.