Some financial experts believe that waterfront homes are a good investment. It can be a bit pricey, but if you consider the view, it should be worth it. Some waterfront properties come with a dock. If you’re considering getting one and it does not come with a dock, building one should be a priority. This might be an additional item you need to factor into your budget. But over the long term, adding a dock will increase the value of your property.
Added Value
After you buy all the marine-grade plywood, which is recommended for building docks due to its low-maintenance quality, you will probably spend around $2,000 on the low end of the scale or up to several thousand dollars. Once done, however, the added value to your property will be $14,000 to $20,000.
DIY or Pro?
The budget is not only your primary consideration when building a dock. There are available kit docks that you can install on your own, and this won’t make a significant dent on your budget. The kits are ready to assemble. The downside is that you lose flexibility in terms of design.
If you don’t have time and you want a well-designed dock that suits your whole waterfront environment, then leave the construction of your dock to pros. This will cost more, but you will be sure that the right dock will be installed.
What’s underneath?
Find out what’s underneath the water before you do your installation. It should be a flat and sandy bed underneath. Rocky beds and one with an incline will be more challenging to handle. You need to find out the depth of the water and how it ebbs and flows.
Your Options
Your dock will depend on where your waterfront property is located. Do your research and find out if a floating, crib, post, or pipe dock is for you. Floating docks rely on pontoons to float. While they are easy to install, they won’t be as stable as the other types. A crib dock is the most expensive one, but it is more permanent. A post dock uses logs for support, and you need a piling machine to install and remove it. Pipe docks can also be bought as a kit, but its weight capacity isn’t the same as the typical wooden dock.
Design Choices
The standard layout designs are the following:
- T-Dock
- L-Dock
- U-Dock
- Y-Dock
Wind and weather conditions all year round will be a factor in the layout that you choose. The L or T types are usually more stable during windy conditions.
Lastly, always remember that docks need to withstand extreme weather conditions. Choose the right materials, like pressure-treated wood and other composite materials. Make sure that you regularly inspect your dock to ensure stability. If you need more information about waterfront properties, you can find other sources online or seek the advice of a professional. Doing so will give you peace of mind and help you save a lot of time and money.
