Marine Construction Services for Waterfront Properties

Marine construction is the building and repair of structures that sit on, in, or directly beside the water. It covers shoreline protection such as bulkheads, seawalls, and retaining walls; access structures such as piers, docks, and boardwalks; and the foundation work — pile driving — that supports all of them. Unlike standard land construction, marine work has to account for water levels, wave and current energy, saturated or unstable soils, tidal or seasonal fluctuation, and corrosion from saltwater or brackish exposure. It also requires environmental permitting from local authorities and often the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Shore Protect Construction handles every part of this scope in-house, so a single crew designs, permits, and builds the structure that protects and connects your waterfront property.

Shore Protect Construction is a full-service marine contractor. We build and repair bulkheads and seawalls for shoreline erosion control, retaining walls for slope and grade stabilization, piers and docks for waterfront access and boat moorage, and boardwalks over wet or unstable ground. We also provide pile driving — timber, steel, concrete, vinyl, and helical (screw) piles — which forms the foundation for nearly every other structure. Because all of these services are under one roof, we can combine them on a single project: for example, a new bulkhead with a pier and dock, priced and built together. Every service is offered for new construction, full replacement, and repair.

The right structure depends on how much wave energy your shoreline faces and how the property is used. A bulkhead is a vertical wall that holds back soil and works well on sheltered lakes, canals, and calmer frontage. A seawall is heavier shoreline armor engineered for open water, strong waves, and storm surge on exposed coastal or large-lake sites. Riprap — graded rock or scrim bags placed on a slope — absorbs wave energy naturally and suits gentle, sloped banks or environmentally sensitive zones. Many properties use a combination, such as a bulkhead with riprap toe protection. The best choice also factors in soil, water depth, and budget, which is why we assess the site before recommending a design. See our side-by-side comparison guide for more detail.

Marine construction is usually priced by the linear foot for walls and by the square foot for decks, with demolition, backfill, permits, and mobilization itemized separately. As a general guide, bulkheads and seawalls typically range from about $150 to $600 per linear foot depending on material — timber at the low end, steel and concrete at the high end. Cost is driven by material selection, wall length and height, site access, water depth, soil conditions, and whether an old structure must be removed. Saltwater sites cost more because they require corrosion-resistant materials. The most reliable number comes from an on-site assessment, but you can get an instant ballpark from our free cost calculators, which price your project by material and let you download a PDF estimate before you ever call.

Yes. Most marine construction work near the water requires permits, and Shore Protect Construction manages that process for you. Depending on the location and scope, a project may need approvals from the local municipality, the state, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and waterfront walls often require an engineered design plan stamped by a licensed marine engineer. We prepare the documentation, submit the applications, and coordinate any required environmental review so the structure complies with local building codes and shoreline regulations. Permitting timelines vary by jurisdiction and are usually the longest part of the schedule, which is why we start the process early. Proper permitting protects you from fines and ensures your bulkhead, seawall, or pier is built to a standard that holds up legally and structurally.

Most residential marine construction projects take two to four weeks of on-site work once permits are approved, though the full timeline depends on the structure and conditions. A straightforward timber or vinyl bulkhead goes up faster, while steel, concrete, or barge-access jobs take longer. The biggest variable is usually permitting, not construction — approvals from local authorities and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can take several weeks to a few months depending on the jurisdiction and scope, which is why we start that process early. Site access, water depth, soil conditions, and weather also affect the schedule. After an on-site assessment we give you a clear, project-specific timeline alongside your written estimate.

Shore Protect Construction serves waterfront owners across the Texas Gulf Coast and the Illinois lakefront. In Texas that includes Houston, Galveston, Clear Lake, Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, Lake Livingston, and the surrounding bays, canals, and lakes. In Illinois we cover the Chicago area, Wheeling, and the Fox Lake chain. Our crews work saltwater bays, tidal canals, navigable rivers, and freshwater reservoirs, matching the structure and material to each environment — for example, corrosion-resistant materials on saltwater sites and value-engineered options on calm freshwater lakes. We handle residential, commercial, and HOA projects of all sizes. To confirm we cover your specific city or waterway, visit our service areas page or call 281-501-7940 for a free site consultation and estimate.