Boat Dock Cost Calculator
Quick answer: Dock cost = deck area × price per square foot for the type, plus any boat lift ($1,000–$15,000) or boathouse ($10,000–$50,000+). Floating docks run about $15–$35 per sq ft and fixed piling docks $20–$40 (HomeAdvisor, 2026). Worked example: a 40 × 6 ft walkway with a 10 × 12 ft platform is 360 sq ft, so about $5,400–$12,600 floating or $7,200–$14,400 fixed.
Docks are priced by the square foot of deck surface: about $15–$35 per sq ft for a floating dock and $20–$40 for a fixed piling dock, materials and labour included (HomeAdvisor, 2026). Enter the walkway and the platform at the end, choose the type and any boat lift or boathouse, and the calculator gives the cost range and the linear feet of decking boards for the surface.
Last updated October 11, 2026 · Sources: HomeAdvisor, “Boat Dock Costs” (updated June 2026)
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Dock cost by size
| Walkway | Platform | Area | Floating | Fixed / piling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 4 ft | none | 80 sq ft | $1,200 – $2,800 | $1,600 – $3,200 |
| 40 × 6 ft | none | 240 sq ft | $3,600 – $8,400 | $4,800 – $9,600 |
| 40 × 6 ft | 10 × 12 ft | 360 sq ft | $5,400 – $12,600 | $7,200 – $14,400 |
| 60 × 6 ft | 12 × 16 ft | 552 sq ft | $8,280 – $19,320 | $11,040 – $22,080 |
| 100 × 8 ft | 16 × 20 ft | 1120 sq ft | $16,800 – $39,200 | $22,400 – $44,800 |
Add-ons
| Item | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Floating dock | $15–$35 per sq ft |
| Fixed / piling dock | $20–$40 per sq ft |
| Boat lift | $1,000–$15,000 |
| Boathouse | $10,000–$50,000+ |
Choosing decking for a dock
Dock boards sit wet all season, so choose ground-contact pressure-treated lumber, a capped composite or PVC rated for docks, and stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners. Compare board prices with the composite vs wood calculator and count screws with the deck fastener calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does a boat dock cost?
- HomeAdvisor's 2026 figures put the average at $15,048, with most docks between $4,074 and $26,021. By the square foot, floating docks run about $15–$35 and fixed piling docks $20–$40, materials and labour included.
- Is a floating dock cheaper than a fixed dock?
- Usually, per square foot: $15–$35 for floating against $20–$40 for fixed. Floating docks rise and fall with the water and need no pile driving, but they move underfoot and need anchoring; fixed docks suit shallow, stable water levels.
- How much does a 40-foot dock cost?
- A 40 × 6 ft walkway alone is 240 sq ft: about $3,600–$8,400 floating or $4,800–$9,600 fixed. Add a 10 × 12 ft platform and it's about $5,400–$12,600 floating.
- How much does a boat lift add?
- About $1,000 for a small manual lift for a personal watercraft up to $15,000 for a motorized lift for a large boat, installed. A covered boathouse adds $10,000–$50,000 or more.
- How much decking do I need for a dock?
- Boards usually run across the walkway. Divide the length in inches by 5.75 (a 5.5 in board plus its gap) for the rows; each row is as long as the dock is wide. The 40 × 6 ft walkway with a 10 × 12 ft platform needs about 832 linear feet with 10% waste.
- Do I need a permit to build a dock?
- Almost always for a permanent dock. Expect local zoning or shoreline rules and, on navigable water, state environmental and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits. Ask before you order materials.
