Building a dock typically costs $7,000 to $25,000, with an average around $15,000, according to Fixr's 2025 national guide; piling docks run $20 to $40 per square foot installed and each replacement piling $300 to $1,600. In South Florida, add county and state permits: FDEP's exemption verification is $100 and Miami-Dade DERM's application fee starts at $250.
How much does it cost to build a dock?
There is no South Florida government price survey for docks, so the best figures we have are national.[1]
| Item | Figure | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Dock, built | $7,000 to $25,000, average $15,000 | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Piling dock, installed | $20 to $40 per sq ft | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Replacing a piling | $300 to $1,600 each | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Dock repairs | $3 to $250 per sq ft by material | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Removing an old dock | $250 to $1,000 | Fixr, national, 2025 |
Permit fees in South Florida
| Agency | Fee |
|---|---|
| FDEP online self-certification of exemption | Free (not in aquatic preserves) |
| FDEP exemption verification | $100 |
| FDEP general permit | $250 |
| FDEP individual permit | $420 |
| DERM application fee, job under $2,500 | $250 |
| DERM application fee, $5,000 to $9,999 | $470 |
| Monroe County dock length special exception | $1,450 plus $3 per owner within 300 ft |
What drives the price?
- Length and water depth. In the Keys, long docks to reach depth can need a county special exception.[4]
- Pilings. The count and depth of pilings move the price most.[1]
- Design limits. Aquatic preserve docks are limited to a 4 ft walkway and a 160 sq ft terminal platform, which keeps them smaller.[2]
- Seagrass. Docks over seagrass follow federal piling-supported structure guidelines.[5]
How much does a 30 foot dock cost?
At $20 to $40 per sq ft, a 30 ft by 6 ft walkway (180 sq ft) is about $3,600 to $7,200 for the structure before permits, pilings in deep water, lighting and fittings.[1]
Get a price for dock construction or dock repair, or see the local rules in Miami, Coral Gables, Boca Raton and Key Largo.
Find a pro in your area
Enter your ZIP code and we will open the quote form for you. It takes about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a dock in Florida?
Fixr's 2025 national range is $7,000 to $25,000, average $15,000, before South Florida permit costs.
How much does a 100 foot dock cost?
At $20 to $40 per sq ft, a 100 ft by 6 ft dock (600 sq ft) is about $12,000 to $24,000 for the structure alone, before permits and pilings in deep water.
Do you need a permit for a dock in Florida?
Usually at least county and city permits. A small private dock can be exempt from a state permit.
Sources
- Cost to Build a Dock (updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr.com (secondary national cost guide). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Dock Permitting in Florida: Permit Application Fee Schedule and Aquatic Preserve Design Criteria, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Class I Permit Application for Coastal Construction and Mangrove Trimming within Miami-Dade County (Revised May 2025), Miami-Dade County RER, Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), Coastal Resources Section. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Dock Length Special Exception Application (Last revised August 2026), Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources Department. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Department of the Army State Programmatic General Permit VI (SPGP VI), SAJ-2015-2575, State of Florida, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (document hosted by Florida DEP). Accessed October 27, 2026.
