2026 PRICING · YOUR COST. YOUR DOCK. OUR CRAFT.
How Much Does a Dock Cost in North Carolina?
Real 2026 numbers from our own jobs — coastal and lake projects. Itemized, written estimates within one business day. No "miscellaneous" line items.
QUICK ANSWER
In coastal North Carolina, a residential floating dock costs $12,000–$35,000, a fixed pier costs $18,000–$60,000, and a 10,000-lb boat lift runs $7,500–$14,000 installed. CAMA general permits add $100–$400 and take 14–30 days.
2026 PRICING TABLE
Every coastal NC service, every price range
| Service | Price Range | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Dock (residential) | $12,000 – $35,000 | 3–7 days | View → |
| Fixed Pier (residential) | $18,000 – $60,000 | 7–14 days | View → |
| Boat Lift (10,000 lb, 4-post) | $7,500 – $14,000 | 1–2 days | View → |
| PWC / Jet Ski Lift | $3,500 – $5,500 | 1 day | View → |
| Waterfront Gazebo | $18,000 – $45,000 | 7–14 days | View → |
| Marine Carpentry | $2,500 – $18,000 | 2–10 days | View → |
| Piling Replacement (per piling) | $850 – $1,850 | 1–3 days each | View → |
| Deck Board Replacement (per board) | $35 – $110 | Same day | View → |
| Hardware Replacement (full re-fasten) | $2,200 – $7,500 | 2–5 days | View → |
| Custom IPE Build | $35,000 – $120,000 | 14–28 days | View → |
| CAMA General Permit (billed at cost) | $100 – $400 | 14–30 days | at cost |
Prices are 2026 coastal NC ranges including marine-grade lumber, 316 stainless hardware, pilings driven to refusal, and one-year workmanship warranty. CAMA permits billed at cost.
PRICE DRIVERS
What moves the number up or down
Length & platform area
Every foot of pier adds 2–3 pilings, 3–4 stringers, and 12–18 deck boards. A 100-ft pier costs roughly 2× a 50-ft pier.
Decking material
Pressure-treated SYP: $3–$5/sq ft. IPE Brazilian hardwood: $14–$22/sq ft installed. IPE adds 30+ years of life.
Water depth at low tide
Deeper water means longer pilings and barge-mounted pile drivers instead of tracked rigs. Adds 10–25%.
Hardware spec
316 stainless costs 3–4× galvanized but lasts indefinitely. Galvanized fails in 5–7 years on the saltwater side.
Site access
Bulkhead access is fastest. Marsh or land-locked sites need barge work or hand-carrying — adds 15–30% labor.
CAMA / county review
Standard general permits: $100–$400. Major permits (commercial or AEC encroachment): $475+ with 75–150 day review.
DEEP DIVES BY SERVICE
Full pricing on each service page
Floating Docks
Sound-side floating docks engineered for 3–4 ft tide swings, plus lake-grade builds inland — designed and installed from Hampstead to Sneads Ferry and on freshwater lakes within reach of our shop.
Fixed Piers
Hurricane-rated pier construction for the Cape Fear River, ICW, and Topsail Sound — plus freshwater-lake piers inland, all built on pressure-treated pilings driven to refusal.
Boat Lifts
Cradle, beam, and PWC lifts sized to your boat and your dock — installed across coastal NC and on freshwater lakes inland.
Dock Repairs
Decking, framing, pilings, and hardware repair across the eight coastal cities we serve — plus freshwater-lake dock repairs inland. Fast turnarounds, real warranties.
Gazebos
Metal-roofed and IPE-trimmed gazebos that anchor your pier and shade your view — coastal NC from Hampstead to Carolina Beach, plus freshwater-lake builds inland.
Pilings
Pressure-treated and CCA pilings driven to refusal — for coastal docks, pier rebuilds, bulkhead repair, and freshwater-lake builds inland.
Custom Docks
One-off pier and dock designs for Figure Eight Island, the rest of coastal NC, and freshwater lakes inland — IPE hardwood, copper trim, and hurricane-rated framing.
Deck Construction
Salt-air decks framed for hurricane country — and lake-side decks framed for sun and wake exposure. Pressure-treated, composite, or IPE, with stainless or galvanized hardware to match the water.
Waterfront Decks
Sound-side, ICW, bulkhead-edge, and lake-side decks designed to frame your view — with cable rails and hardware specified to the water you build on.
Marine Carpentry
Stairs, ladders, dock boxes, fish-cleaning stations, benches, and the small custom pieces that finish a waterfront — saltwater or freshwater alike.
FAQ
Cost & pricing FAQ
What is the average dock cost in coastal NC?
Are there hidden costs in a dock build?
Does a dock add value to my home?
Do you offer financing?
Why do some dock quotes vary by 2x or 3x for the same project?
How do I get an accurate written estimate?
Get your itemized estimate
Free site visit. Written estimate within one business day. Every board, fastener, and piling listed.