The Real Cost of Building on the Water: Hidden Expenses in Marine Construction Every Homeowner Should Know

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Apr 29
3 min read

Avoiding Surprises When Building Your Dock, Seawall, or Boat Lift

Planning a new dock, seawall, or boat lift is an exciting step toward upgrading your waterfront property. However, marine construction is a complex process—one that can come with unexpected expenses if you're not fully prepared. Whether you're building along the Intracoastal Waterway, a residential canal, or open shoreline, understanding the hidden costs involved can help you budget wisely and avoid costly surprises.

At Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction, we believe in transparency and education. Here's what to watch for when budgeting for your marine construction project.

Permitting and Regulatory Fees

Marine construction requires permits from local municipalities and possibly state or federal agencies, depending on your location and project scope. This may include:

Environmental impact assessments
Coastal construction control line (CCCL) approvals
Submerged land leases or mitigation fees

🛠 Hidden Cost: Permit processing fees, survey costs, and environmental studies can add thousands to your project if not accounted for up front.

Tip: Work with a contractor (like us!) who handles permitting and knows local regulations inside and out.

Soil or Substrate Conditions

Not all waterfronts are created equal. Your soil type—such as sand, muck, coral rock, or clay—will directly affect your construction method and material requirements.

🛠 Hidden Cost: Difficult or unstable soil conditions may require deeper pilings, heavier machinery, or specialized anchoring systems.

Tip: Always request a site evaluation or geotechnical survey before finalizing your construction plans.

Access Limitations

Properties with tight access, overhead wires, seawall restrictions, or limited staging areas can increase project complexity. This may result in:

Barge transport of materials
Extended construction timelines
Specialized equipment usage

🛠 Hidden Cost: Difficult access can add labor time and transportation fees not factored into basic bids.

Tip: Choose a marine construction company with proven experience on similar waterfront lots.

Tidal and Weather Delays

Marine construction is heavily influenced by tides, wind, and seasonal storms. Bad weather or extreme tidal shifts can delay progress and increase labor costs.

🛠 Hidden Cost: Delays often extend project timelines and may result in rescheduling charges or material storage fees.

Tip: Build in a buffer for weather-related delays when budgeting time and funds.

Material Price Fluctuations

Marine-grade materials—like composite decking, pressure-treated lumber, piling wraps, and stainless-steel hardware—are subject to price volatility.

🛠 Hidden Cost: Rising material costs between quote and construction start date can surprise clients if prices aren’t locked in early.

Tip: Finalize material selections early and sign contracts that lock pricing where possible.

Upgrades and Add-Ons Mid-Project

It’s common for homeowners to request additional features mid-project, such as:

Under-dock lighting
Power pedestals or hose bibs
Extended decking or railing systems
Boat lifts or jet ski ports

🛠 Hidden Cost: These additions increase both material and labor costs and may extend the scope of work unexpectedly.

Tip: Clearly define your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves before the build begins.

Post-Construction Landscaping or Repairs

Heavy equipment and construction traffic can impact lawns, irrigation systems, and walkways. Restoration may be required after the job is complete.

🛠 Hidden Cost: Sod replacement, landscape regrading, or fence repairs are often overlooked in early planning stages.

Tip: Discuss post-project site conditions and restoration plans in advance with your contractor.

Build Smart with Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction

At Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction, we’re committed to helping you budget accurately and avoid surprises. From permitting to final inspection, our experienced team walks you through every cost, line by line, with full transparency.

Our approach ensures: