For some people, installing a boat dock is a no-brainer. It’s the perfect platform to have a party and enjoy outdoor activities, all in privacy. Dock designs range from simple structures that cost a couple of thousand dollars to large-scale, luxury ones that cost more.
Let’s set aside the price factor for a little while and focus on the construction.
When building a boat dock, you have two choices: Hire a professional for the job or buy a do-it-yourself dock kit. Putting together a dock is not an easy task. It requires several parts and tools. The boards should fit perfectly and offer a seamless platform so you don’t trip and injure yourself. However, if you know your way around building things, you can easily read the instruction manual that comes with the DIY kit.
With that being said, let’s look at the differences between building a dock by yourself and hiring a professional:
Getting a Do-It-Yourself Dock Kit
Pros
No Time Limit
One of the biggest pros of a DIY dock kit is that it allows you to work at your own pace. All you need is a helping hand; the instruction manual will tell you the rest.
You Can Make Repairs Anytime You Want
Dock maintenance can become expensive, especially when planning to build a wooden boat dock. Annual touch-ups are required to ensure your dock doesn’t develop mold, from sealing to polishing.
You will also be easily able to make repairs because you are the one who built the dock. Professional docks have too many parts; messing with one could make them collapse.
Budget-Friendly
A DIY kit is much more affordable than a dock built by a professional. The latter will charge you for their skills and labor.
Con
Handyman Skills Required
If you have never tackled a DIY project on your own, building a dock will prove to be a challenge because the platform’s construction is complex. You might end up with a wobbly dock that falls under pressure.
Hiring a Dock Builder
Get It Build Perfectly
A professional dock builder has years of experience in installing custom docks. You can expect quality work from them. When building a dock on your own, the chances of encountering problems are high. With an expert, you don’t need to take this kind of stress.
Not every shoreline and lake bed is suitable for building a dock. Since a professional has dealt with all types of issues, they will know exactly how to change the plan to ensure your boat dock gets built one way or the other.
In conclusion, a do-it-yourself dock kit makes more sense if you are on a budget. Talk to your neighboring lake house owner to find out if they built their platform on their own. They will help you make sense of the instructions and direct you on how to assemble the dock.
EZ Dock Texas offers DIY dock kits with an instruction manual, which they claim can be easily installed. Check out their blog to learn more about the different types of boat docks and how they assist their customers. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
