If you’re a homeowner dreaming of building a dock, repairing a seawall, or adding a boathouse to your waterfront property, you’ll quickly hear words like bulkhead, piling, cofferdam, and riprap. For many property owners, marine construction is unfamiliar territory — and that can make planning feel overwhelming.
Understanding basic marine construction terms gives you confidence to ask the right questions, compare bids accurately, and communicate clearly with your contractor. It can also help you avoid unexpected costs or delays caused by misunderstandings during design, permitting, or construction.
This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the essentials. We’ll start with an overview of what marine construction involves, then dive into practical considerations and a clear, easy-to-skim glossary of key terms — think of it as your personal dock-and-seawall dictionary. Whether you live on a lake, bayou, or coastal shoreline, this resource will help you speak the language of the waterfront and feel confident moving forward.
Marine Construction Basics
What Is Marine Construction?
Marine construction covers the design, building, and maintenance of structures in, on, or near water. For homeowners, this often means docks, boat lifts, bulkheads, piers, walkways, seawalls, or boathouses. Larger projects may include marinas, breakwaters, or shoreline protection systems.
Unlike building a shed or garage on dry land, working near water requires unique techniques, materials, and environmental considerations. Shoreline soil is often softer and more prone to erosion. Tides, waves, and storms can impact structures differently than wind or rain alone. For this reason, marine contractors rely on specialized equipment and proven best practices that balance durability and sustainability.
How a Typical Project Flows
For a residential dock, bulkhead, or boathouse, the process generally follows these stages:
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Site Evaluation: The contractor inspects your shoreline, soil type, water depth, and tidal range. This helps determine the right design, materials, and placement.
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Design and Proposal: A detailed plan and estimate are created. This outlines dimensions, materials, cost breakdowns, and timelines.
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Permitting: Your contractor submits applications to the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies. Permits may include a Coastal Use Permit, Army Corps of Engineers approval, or local municipal permissions.
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Construction: Work begins with site prep, pile driving, installing bulkheads or docks, and final finishes like decking, cleats, or lifts.
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Inspection and Approval: An inspector verifies the build meets all codes and environmental safeguards.
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Maintenance Planning: Your contractor may provide recommendations for seasonal inspections, repairs, or upgrades to keep your structure safe and functional for decades.
Knowing these phases — and the terms contractors use to explain them — can make the process feel far less intimidating.
Essential Materials Used in Marine Construction
When you hear “marine-grade,” you’re hearing a promise that the material can withstand constant moisture, saltwater, UV exposure, and changing temperatures. Here are a few common materials you might discuss with your contractor:
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Treated Timber: Pressure-treated lumber resists rot, insects, and water damage. Used for decking, beams, and framing.
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Composite Lumber: Made from recycled plastics and wood fibers. It’s low maintenance and resists warping or splintering.
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Vinyl or PVC Sheet Piling: Often used for bulkheads. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and long-lasting.
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Marine-Grade Hardware: Bolts, screws, and fasteners made of stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized steel help prevent rust.
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Concrete: Used for piers or heavy-duty bulkheads. Reinforced concrete structures are built to handle wave impact and soil pressure.
Discussing these materials with your contractor helps you weigh up-front costs versus long-term savings on maintenance.
Permitting: What Homeowners Should Know
Permitting is one of the most common areas that trip up first-time dock or seawall owners. Each state, and often each county or parish, has its own requirements. You may need to work with multiple agencies to get approvals.
A reputable contractor will manage all this for you — but it’s still helpful to know who issues the permits and what conditions may be attached. Permits may cover things like:
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Limits on dredging to protect aquatic habitats.
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Required setbacks from neighboring properties.
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Erosion control measures to prevent sediment runoff.
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Timing restrictions to protect fish spawning seasons or bird nesting.
Asking upfront “Who handles the permits?” and “What conditions apply?” ensures there are no surprises once the project starts.
Cost Basics: What to Budget For
While prices vary based on size, design, and location, understanding the cost drivers helps you budget wisely. Common factors that affect marine construction pricing include:
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Site Conditions: Deep water, steep slopes, or unstable soil can require longer pilings or special foundation work.
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Materials: Marine-grade hardware and treated wood cost more up front but reduce replacement costs over time.
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Access: If your site is hard to reach by barge or truck, labor and equipment transport may add to the total.
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Permits and Inspections: Application fees, engineering surveys, or environmental studies may be required for approval.
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Design Complexity: A simple fishing dock with cleats and ladders costs far less than a multi-slip boathouse with integrated lifts and storage.
Maintenance Matters
Once your dock, seawall, or boathouse is built, you’ll protect your investment through regular inspections and seasonal maintenance. Here are practical ways to keep structures strong for decades:
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Inspect pilings for rot, marine borer damage, or corrosion.
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Tighten hardware and replace rusted fasteners.
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Clean decking to prevent algae or mildew buildup.
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Check boat lifts for proper operation and lubricate moving parts.
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Monitor shorelines for signs of erosion and add riprap or vegetation if needed.
Some homeowners opt for annual professional inspections to catch issues early — saving thousands in repairs later.
Marine Construction Glossary
Anchoring System: The method used to secure a floating dock or structure in place so it doesn’t drift with currents or tides.
Barge: A flat-bottomed boat used to transport heavy materials and equipment to the construction site.
Beam: The width of a dock or boat; sometimes refers to a structural support crosspiece.
Berth: A designated spot where a boat is moored or docked.
Breakwater: A structure built offshore to protect a shoreline or harbor from waves.
Bulkhead: A retaining wall or barrier built parallel to the shoreline to prevent erosion and hold back soil.
Catwalk: A narrow walkway, often connecting sections of a dock.
Cleat: A metal fitting on a dock where boats tie off their lines.
Cofferdam: A temporary watertight enclosure pumped dry to allow work below the waterline.
Corrosion-Resistant: Materials designed to withstand rust and decay in wet, salty environments.
Decking: The walking surface of a dock or pier.
Dredging: Removing sediment from the bottom of a waterway to deepen or maintain navigable channels.
Dock: A structure extending from shore into the water where boats are moored.
Erosion Control: Techniques or materials used to prevent soil from washing away, often involving riprap, bulkheads, or vegetation.
Finger Pier: A narrow pier or dock extension, usually perpendicular to the main dock, for mooring boats.
Fixed Dock: A dock with supports anchored into the lake or seabed, remaining at a set height regardless of water level changes.
Floating Dock: A dock that rises and falls with the water level, secured by pilings or anchoring systems.
Gangway: A ramp or bridge connecting the dock to land.
Harbor: A sheltered area where boats anchor, often protected by breakwaters.
Inspection: Formal check of the construction work for safety, durability, and permit compliance.
Jetty: A structure that projects into the water to protect a shoreline or guide navigation.
Keel: The bottom structural element of a boat; while not a dock term, you may hear it during marina construction.
Living Shoreline: An erosion control approach that combines plants and natural elements with small structures to protect the shoreline.
Marina: A harbor area with docks and services for storing and servicing boats.
Mooring: A device or structure used to secure a boat in place.
Pile/Piling: Long, sturdy posts driven deep into the seabed or lakebed to support docks, piers, or bulkheads.
Pile Driving: The process of installing pilings using heavy equipment.
Pier: A structure built out over the water, typically on pilings.
Riprap: Large rocks or stone placed along shorelines or around structures to prevent erosion.
Runoff: Water that drains from land into waterways, sometimes managed during construction.
Seawall: Similar to a bulkhead, a vertical or sloped wall built to protect the shore from waves.
Sheet Piling: Thin, interlocking steel or vinyl sheets driven into the ground to form a barrier, often used for bulkheads.
Tide: The rise and fall of sea levels caused by gravitational forces, important for planning construction access.
Turbidity Curtain: A floating barrier used to contain sediment stirred up during construction.
Wave Attenuator: A floating or fixed structure that reduces the force of incoming waves.
Wharf: A structure where ships dock to load or unload cargo — more common in commercial or industrial settings.
Build with Confidence
Marine construction is an investment in your property’s value and enjoyment — whether you’re building a simple dock for fishing or a complete boathouse with lifts and storage. By learning these key terms and understanding the process, you can communicate confidently with your contractor, ask smarter questions, and make informed choices that stand the test of time.
Call to Action
At Lamulle Construction, we’ve helped homeowners along the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast build safe, beautiful, long-lasting waterfront structures for decades. If you’re ready to plan your dock, bulkhead, or boathouse — or just want expert advice from a team who knows the local permitting process inside and out — contact us today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dock last?
With proper materials and maintenance, a well-built dock can last 20–30 years or more. Pilings are the backbone and often outlast the decking if inspected regularly.
Do I need a permit to repair an old dock?
Usually, yes. Even minor repairs can require a permit if they affect the shoreline or waterway. Your contractor will confirm what’s needed.
What’s the difference between a seawall and a bulkhead?
They’re similar structures — both hold back soil and protect against erosion. Seawall is often used when the structure also deflects wave energy directly, while bulkhead generally means a vertical retaining wall along calm shorelines.
Is riprap enough to protect my shoreline?
Riprap — large stones placed at the base of a shoreline — is a cost-effective erosion barrier. For maximum stability, many property owners combine riprap with bulkheads or living shorelines that add plants and natural buffers.
