If you’re a lakefront property owner, there’s nothing quite like having your own custom dock. Whether you use it for boating, fishing, swimming, entertaining, or simply relaxing by the water, a well-designed dock can make your waterfront property more enjoyable and functional.
But when is the best time of year to build one?
The short answer is: it’s usually best to start planning your custom dock well before you want to use it. For many lakefront homeowners in the Southeast, fall and winter can be ideal times to begin the design and permitting process so your dock is ready to enjoy when spring and summer arrive.
Why Fall and Winter Are Great Times to Start Planning
It’s easy to think about a new dock once warm weather arrives and you’re ready to get back on the water. The problem is that spring and summer are also some of the busiest times of year for dock projects.
Starting your project during the cooler months gives you more time to work through the details, including design, materials, permitting, and installation scheduling. A custom dock is not a one-size-fits-all project. The design needs to account for your shoreline, water conditions, property layout, boat size, and how you plan to use the dock.
Getting started early can help ensure there is enough time to address each of these considerations before boating season is in full swing.
Spring Is a Great Time for Installation
Spring can be an excellent time to have a dock installed, particularly if the planning and permitting process has already been completed.
As temperatures rise and lake activity picks up, having your new dock installed early means you can spend more of the warm-weather season enjoying it instead of waiting for construction to begin.
For homeowners hoping to have a dock ready for summer, the key is to avoid waiting until summer itself to get started. Custom projects require planning, fabrication, and coordination, so giving your project a head start can make a big difference.
What About Building During Summer?
Summer is certainly when a dock gets the most use, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best time to begin a new project.
If you wait until the middle of boating season to start designing your dock, you may find yourself planning for the following year instead. Summer is also when many lakefront homeowners are already thinking about dock repairs, upgrades, boat lifts, and other waterfront improvements.
That doesn’t mean you can’t start a dock project during the summer. It simply means it’s important to plan ahead and understand that your ideal installation timeline may depend on the project, permitting requirements, and scheduling.
Don’t Forget About Permitting
One of the biggest reasons to start early is permitting.
Depending on the lake and property, dock construction may require specific permits and approvals. Custom Dock Systems has extensive experience with the permitting process for lakes throughout South Carolina and Georgia and can help homeowners understand the requirements for their project.
Building a custom dock isn’t just about choosing the shape and decking you like. The finished structure needs to be designed around the property and the conditions of the specific waterfront location.
Giving yourself plenty of time for permitting can help prevent unexpected delays.
Why a Custom Dock Is Worth Planning Ahead
A custom dock allows you to create a waterfront space around the way you actually use your property.
Custom Dock Systems designs and fabricates aluminum and steel docks for residential and commercial properties, including uncovered slips, covered slips, sundeck roof docks, platforms, and commercial multi-slip docks. Each dock is built to the specifications of the project and designed to withstand the elements of its particular location.
Planning ahead also gives you more time to consider features such as:
- The number and size of boat slips
- Covered or uncovered areas
- Dock layout and configuration
- Decking options
- Access from the shoreline
- Boat lifts
- Swimming and recreation areas
- Seating and entertaining areas
- Storage and other accessories
The earlier you begin, the more opportunity you have to create a dock that works for both your property and your lifestyle.
So, What Is the Best Time to Build a Custom Dock?
For most homeowners, the best time to start the process is during the fall or winter before the boating season you want to enjoy it.
That doesn’t necessarily mean installation has to happen during those months. Instead, the cooler months can be an ideal time to design your dock, discuss materials and features, work through permitting, and get on the installation schedule.
By planning ahead, you can approach spring and summer with your waterfront project already underway or completed.
Start Planning Your Custom Dock
A custom dock is a long-term investment in your waterfront property, so it’s worth taking the time to get the design right. Custom Dock Systems has been designing, fabricating, and installing quality dock structures since 1968 and has built thousands of residential and commercial docks throughout the Southeast.
If you’re considering a new dock on Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Lake Greenwood, Lake Thurmond, or another lake in the region, now is a great time to start planning.
Contact Custom Dock Systems for a free, no-obligation quote and start designing a dock you can enjoy for years to come.