When you have a waterfront property, some of the most popular activities people love are swimming, boating, and fishing. The latter two are only possible if you have a personal dock. The good news is that you can easily get a floating dock.
We highly recommend choosing it over a standard dock with piling because a floating dock costs less than any other dock type. One of the best things about it is that you can expand it by extending the deck and storing it indoors during winter.
Before you make a decision, let’s take a look at the cost of boat docks according to their size and material:
Average Cost to Build a Boat Dock
| Range | Price |
| National Average | $15,000 |
| Average | $7,000 to $25,000 |
| Low-End | $1,800 |
| High-End | $65,000 |
Dock Cost Per Square Foot
| Size | Price |
| 120 sq.ft. | $1,800 to $4,800 |
| 150 sq.ft. | $2,250 to $6,000 |
| 180 sq.ft. | $2,700 to $7,200 |
| 210 sq.ft. | $3,150 to $8,400 |
| 240 sq.ft. | $3,600 to $9,600 |
| 300 sq.ft. | $4,500 to $12,000 |
| 360 sq.ft. | $5,400 to $14,400 |
| 420 sq.ft. | $6,300 to $16,800 |
| 480 sq.ft. | $7,200 to $19,200 |
| 540 sq.ft. | $8,100 to $21,600 |
Now that you know how much a boat dock will cost based on its size, let’s take a look at how different materials impact these price ranges:
Pine
This is the most common softwood type, which is quite affordable. If maintained properly, a pine dock will last up to 20 years. The per-square-foot cost for this material is from $15 to $50. The only drawback of pine is that it needs to be sealed annually to prevent the material from absorbing water.
Plastic
Most boaters prefer plastic because it is low-maintenance. Plastic docks are made of polyethylene, polypropylene, chloride, polyvinyl, or a combination of the two. As a result, the boards are lighter, so the per-square-foot cost for this material is from $15 to $60. Since plastic docks are not made of organic material, they are susceptible to mold and mildew.
Vinyl
Vinyl docks are made from a weather-resistant compound. It includes ultraviolet inhibitors that prevent the dock from fading, corrosion, peeling, and flaking. Since the material is easy to clean and slip-resistant, it is considered low maintenance and lasts 25 years. Vinyl’s per square foot cost is from $20 to $70.
Pressure Treated Wood
This material is resistant to bugs, fungi, and rotting. Pressure-treated wood gives an aesthetically pleasing look and is affordable. Though, it needs to be stained annually to preserve its quality. The per-square-foot cost of vinyl is from $20 to $70.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the best option if you are looking for a material that requires no maintenance. It will neither rot nor warp and withstand harsh weather for five decades. Aluminum docks are coated with a powder and can be painted to customize their look. The per-square-foot cost of vinyl is from $25 to $75.
In conclusion, a boat dock will cost you around $7,000 on the lower end and $65,000 on the higher end. This cost includes the construction material and labor. The more features you add to the dock, the pricier it will get. Usually, the cost is calculated per square foot. If you plan to remove your old dock, know they can cost between $4 and $300 per square foot. This range is high because it takes time and expertise to remove pilings and ensure the lake bed is not disturbed for the new dock.
Nor Col EZ Dock offers quality plastic docks in Ontario and other areas of Canada. They have many styles, including floating docks, PWC ports, kayaks, canoe docks, etc. For a custom quote, click here, and for more information, call (800) 654-8168.
