How Much Does a Boathouse Cost?

What is a Boathouse?

A boathouse is a structure specifically designed for storing boats and boating equipment. It is typically located on the edge of a body of water, such as a lake, river, or coastal area, providing direct access for launching boats. Boathouses can vary greatly in size and style, ranging from simple, functional shelters to elaborate, multi-story buildings that may include living spaces, workshops, or entertainment areas. In addition to storage, many boathouses also serve as a hub for boating activities, offering facilities like docks, slipways, and sometimes amenities for maintenance and repairs.

To learn more about Lamulle Construction’s Boathouse services and see completed projects, click here.

Accessing the Boat

When designing your dream boathouse, our first consideration in the design process is how you will access your boat. This depends on position to shore, deck access, and size of deck. These elements heavily influence the location of the boathouse which is a leading factor in determining the cost.

Position to Shore

When considering the orientation of the boathouse in relation to the shore, positioning it parallel to the shore against a bulkhead raises specific considerations. If the boathouse is aligned this way, you would typically step directly from the land onto the boat, which could enhance accessibility and convenience. However, a critical factor to assess is whether there is adequate water depth alongside the bulkhead to ensure that the boat can float without obstruction. Insufficient water depth might lead to complications, particularly during low tide or dry seasons, potentially hindering the usability of the boat and the functionality of the boathouse.

Deck Access

If you need to have the boat farther away from the bulkhead for water depth purposes, you may want to install a small deck area between the bulkhead and the boathouse. This would give you access to deeper water if the water bottom drops off quickly. This deck area will increase the total square feet of decking necessary to install your boathouse.

If your boathouse is positioned perpendicular to the shore, then you will need decking on one or both sides of the boat slip to access the boat. Space and choice of decking materials will be the two considerations to the cost of the deck area.

Size of Deck

People buy waterfront property because they have a connection with the water. They may enjoy the view, water sports, or fishing. In any case, the deck area of your boathouse is also the leisure area of your boathouse. How much space do you want? If you plan to spend time out by the water, other than just getting on/off your boat, then you might consider a  covered deck area to give you a greater “connection” to the water. If you are just fishing and washing your boat, you do not need a ton of deck space. If you are hanging out by the water or having a crawfish boil, then you might want more.

Decking Material

Decking material will determine the cost per square foot. Treated wood 2×6 decking material is the least expensive choice of decking and the cost ranges from $16-$20/sqft depending on the total area and shape of the deck. Treated wood decking exposed to sun will last 7-10 years, longer if protected from the sun and rain.

Composite decking, such as Azek, will last longer, require less maintenance, and maintain a better appearance. Its typical lifespan is 15-25 years in most cases, especially under a roof. But composite decking, which is not a rigid material and requires more joists installed for support, is much more expensive, ranging from $28-$32/sq ft depending on specific material chosen and total area installed.

Boathouse Roof

The next consideration is the roof style and type of roofing material. The roof is the single most expensive component of a boathouse. There are four basic styles of roofs that we commonly install on boathouses. Check with your homeowner’s association for any restrictions that might apply.

Hip Roof

First is the hip roof. This is a very common type of roof system installed on homes and consists of wooden rafters that rise on 4 sides together to form a peak. This is the most common type of roof we install as it most directly matches the residence the boathouse is built behind. Hip roofs can range from $12-$18/sq ft depending on variation of roof design and decking choices. This is a great roof and meets most codes for wind resistance.

If the final roof material will be metal, then there are two choices you can make on how this metal is installed on the rafters.

Gable Roof

The second roof type is the gable roof, which consists of wooden rafters forming two sides which meet to form a peak in the middle. This roof abruptly terminates on each end of the boathouse and can be either left open or closed in with siding. Again, with this style of roof, the rafters can either be decked or stripped if metal R-panel will be applied. Leaving the end open weakens the  roof, so this roof type is installed in areas less prone to high winds. For high wind areas, the cable is most often closed with siding to prevent the wind from generating uplift on the roofing materials, stripping it away.

If shingles are to be installed, the rafters must be decked so the shingles can be nailed to the decked surface. Lamulle Construction does not recommend an open gable design if the boathouse will be in the open coastal areas where trees cannot break up the wind to some degree. The cost of gable roofs is like that of hip roofs, ranging from $18-$28/sqft.

Flat Roof

The third roof system is the flat roof which has no peak, with only a slight slope to the roof allowing the rain to shed. The flat roof is always made from metal roofing material called R-panel, never shingles. The metal R-panel is screwed down into wood purlins which are nailed down to joists which span across the boat slip. This is a weak roof system which cannot achieve the wind rating of hip roofs. But the low cost of the roof and easy construction of the flat roof, makes replacement of the roof easy should it be damaged by storms.

These roofs are typically only installed at fishing camp areas and not allowed in most subdivisions. Check your homeowner’s association to see if flat roofs are allowed in your area. Flat roofs typically range from $9-$11/sqft. depending on the size of the roof (the larger the roof, the lower the cost).

Tongue and Groove

The fourth roof type is the tongue and groove. Decking the roof before the final material is installed makes for a stronger roof system that is one solid unit. This system will exceed most building codes for wind resistance. Tongue and groove 2×6 decking is 1.5” thick and is installed for  a more appealing look to the boathouse.

If you plan to entertain guests or sit on the deck at your boathouse and watch the sunset, this might be a great option for you. It is also incredibly strong and exceeds the 140mph rating.

Boat Lift

The next item for cost consideration is the boat lift. Given that we want to create the perfect boathouse for you and your boat, this is a crucial aspect of the process. Boat lifts come in many styles, materials, and weight capacities. Please refer to our article on boat lift choices for an explanation of these details.

The cost of a boat lift will range from $6,000-$16,000 for a 6,000LB lift which will accommodate most center console bay boats under 30ft in length. Please contact Lamulle Construction to size the boat lift to your particular boat.

Pilings

The final component of a boathouse is the pilings that the boathouse sits on. Pilings are chosen for your project based on the following considerations: water depth, water type, size of boat, and composition of water bottom. This can be complicated so let’s ask a few questions:

What type of water will the boathouse be built in?

When selecting the appropriate materials for constructing boathouse piles, the type of water in which the boathouse will be located plays a crucial role. For boathouses situated in saltwater environments, it is essential to use 2.5 CCA (chromated copper arsenate) treated piles. This higher level of treatment is necessary to resist the damage caused by wood-boring marine animals, which are more prevalent in saltwater.

In contrast, if the boathouse is located in freshwater, the piles can be constructed with a lower concentration of treatment, specifically 0.80 CCA, which is sufficient to protect against the less aggressive decay factors in such environments.

However, for boathouses in brackish water, which contains a mix of fresh and saltwater, the recommendation is to use the higher 2.5 CCA treated piles to ensure durability and resistance to a broader range of marine organisms.

How deep is the water?

When determining the appropriate pile length for your boathouse, several factors regarding the water depth and bottom conditions must be considered. For shallow water areas, between 3-5 feet deep with a hard clay bottom, 30-foot piles are generally sufficient. However, in situations where the water depth ranges from 6-10 feet or the bottom is composed of silty or sandy materials, it is advisable to opt for 40-foot piles to ensure enhanced stability.

In cases where the water depth exceeds 15 feet or the bottom is exceptionally soft and loose, piles of 50 feet or more are typically necessary. The cost of these pilings varies based on the treatment level and length; .80 CCA treated piles cost $13 per foot, and 2.5 CCA treated piles are $16 per foot for lengths up to 40 feet.

For piles longer than 40 feet, a special order is required, and pricing and availability need to be confirmed with the supplier. The overall number of piles needed will depend on the size and configuration of the boathouse, influencing both the structural integrity and the project budget.

How Much Does a Boathouse Cost?

Now that we have talked about all of the contributing factors of a boathouse, let’s look at what the total cost of a boathouse is.

For a single boat slip boathouse with a shingle hip roof, the cost will range from $25-$30K depending on how much deck you add and which boat lift you use. For a boathouse with two slips and a decent size deck down the middle, the range will be $60-$70K. Again, it depends a lot on what options you choose.

Remember these ranges are for budget purposes and can be higher or lower depending on your choices. Boathouses are often custom designed and it can be difficult to determine the cost without our team coming out to your property for an estimate.

If you are in the New Orleans, Louisiana area and would like a  custom quote for your dream boathouse, get a quote from our team of experts!