Dock repair
Get rotten boards, loose rails and failing pilings fixed properly.
Free Fast Quote
Please fill out this form to request a free quote on your upcoming project and we will respond to you right away!
We repair and replace decking, handrails, framing and pilings, and tell you when a dock is past saving.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Fast response from our team
- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
Dock repairs range from $3 to $250 per square foot depending on material, and replacing a single piling runs $300 to $1,600, according to Fixr's 2025 national guide. In Miami-Dade, repairing or replacing dock decking or handrails to the original dimensions is exempt from a DERM Class I permit (Miami-Dade DERM, 2025).
Last updated
Signs your dock needs repair
Fix these early. Salt water and sun speed up every one.
- Soft, split or loose boards
- Wobbly handrails or cleats pulling out
- Pilings with deep cracks or worn at the waterline
- Sagging framing between pilings
Typical project sizes
Most repairs are a section of decking, a few pilings or a set of rails. Florida law exempts repair or replacement of a dock within 5 ft of the same location, no larger than before and with no fill.
Which dock repairs need a permit?
Miami-Dade DERM exempts replacing decking or handrails to the original dimensions, removing old piles and dilapidated docks, and replacing fender or mooring piles in the same spot when a contractor with a certificate of competency gives DERM 24 hours' notice. Anything that changes the footprint needs a permit. Your city may still need a building permit.[2]
Repair or rebuild?
If the pilings are sound, new decking and framing are usually good value. If many pilings are failing, a rebuild within 5 ft of the old footprint keeps the state exemption and is often the better long-term choice.[3]
| Item | Figure | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Dock repair | $3 to $250 per sq ft, by material | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Replacing a piling | $300 to $1,600 each | Fixr, national, 2025 |
| Removing a dock before replacement | $250 to $1,000 | Fixr, national, 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
How much to repair a dock in Florida?
Fixr's 2025 national range for dock repairs is $3 to $250 per square foot depending on material, and $300 to $1,600 per piling. We price your dock after seeing it.
Do I need a permit to replace dock boards?
Not from DERM in Miami-Dade if you keep the original dimensions. Check with your city building department, which may still require a permit.
Can you repair dock floats?
Yes, damaged or waterlogged floats on a floating dock can usually be replaced section by section. See our floating docks page.
Sources
- Cost to Build a Dock (updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr.com (secondary national cost guide). 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.
- Florida Statutes 2026, Section 403.813: Permits issued at district centers; exceptions, The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine). 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.
Get a free quote
Tell us about your project and we will get back to you fast.