Most dock problems hide where you can't see them
From the deck, a dock can look perfectly fine while its pilings are hollow, its fasteners are rusted through, and its bracing is one storm from giving up. The damage that matters happens below the deck and at the waterline — exactly where nobody looks. A professional inspection looks there, tests what it finds, and tells you the truth in writing.
People call us for inspections in four situations. They're buying a waterfront home and want to know what the dock is really worth — or what it'll cost to fix. They're selling and want to know what the buyer's inspector will find before the buyer finds it. They own the dock and want a checkup before storm season. Or something feels wrong — a lean, a bounce, a wobble — and they want to know how serious it is.
What our inspection covers
Pilings first, because they're the foundation. We sound every piling — solid wood rings, hollowed wood thuds — and probe the waterline zone where marine borers and rot do their worst. We check for movement at the mudline, hourglassing at the waterline, and cracking. Each piling gets graded: sound, marginal, or failed.
Then the frame: stringers, joists, and beams get checked for soft spots, rot, and insect damage. We look at how the frame connects — through-bolts versus rusted lag screws, and whether the connections are still tight. Cross-bracing gets special attention; it's what keeps the dock square in wind and waves, and it's often the first thing to fail.
Decking, rails, and stairs: we walk every board, checking for rot, loose fasteners, and trip hazards. Rails get a push test — a rail that moves is a rail that fails when someone leans on it. Then hardware and accessories: cleats, ladders, bumpers, lift mounts, and the electrical if there's dock power (we check for obvious hazards like corroded boxes and unprotected wiring, though a licensed electrician handles deep electrical work).
Finally, the surroundings: seawall condition where the dock ties in, shoreline erosion, and water depth at low tide along the dock. A dock doesn't exist in isolation, and problems next to it become problems under it.
The written report
You get everything in writing with photos. Each item is graded by urgency: fix now (safety or structural), plan soon (deteriorating, budget for it), and monitor (fine today, check next year). The report includes our repair recommendations with honest prioritization — what actually matters versus what's cosmetic.
For buyers, this report is negotiating power: a dock needing $15,000 of piling work is a different purchase than a dock in good shape, and now you can prove it. For sellers, it's the opposite — a clean inspection report answers the buyer's questions before they're asked. For owners, it's a maintenance roadmap instead of surprise failures.
What an inspection is not
Straight talk: we're dock builders, not engineers or insurance adjusters. Our inspection tells you the dock's physical condition and what it needs — it doesn't certify the dock for insurance purposes or stamp engineering drawings. If your situation needs a licensed engineer's stamp (some commercial jobs and some insurance cases do), we'll tell you that up front rather than sell you a report that won't serve.
What we will do is document thoroughly. Insurers and buyers want photos, specifics, and professional language — our reports give them that. Many clients hand our report straight to their insurance agent or use it in a real estate transaction, and it holds up because it's specific and honest.
Our process
You call or send the form and tell us the situation — buying, selling, checkup, or something feels wrong. We schedule the inspection, usually within a few days, and we need access to the dock and the shoreline. The inspection itself takes one to two hours depending on dock size. Within a couple of business days you get the written report with photos, graded findings, and prioritized recommendations. If you want us to do the repairs, the inspection fee applies toward the work — we'd rather earn the repair job than charge you twice.
Every project is different — contact us for a free written estimate.
Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form for a free on-site estimate.