Mount Pleasant · James Island · Johns Island · Daniel Island · the islands

Docks, boat lifts & dock repair in Charleston, SC

Tell us about your waterfront once. We match you with a vetted local marine contractor for a site visit and written quote. Free for property owners, no obligation.

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Free for property owners, no obligation
One vetted local marine contractor, not a bidding list
Real Charleston dock prices and SC permit fees, with sources

Get free dock & boat lift quotes

Takes about 2 minutes. A vetted local marine contractor will contact you, usually within one business day.

Your name *Phone *Email *ZIP code *Town / area *What do you need? *Waterfront type *Existing dock? *Boat type and length (if any)Rough walkway length to the waterPermit statusWhen do you want to start? *Project details *

I agree that Charleston Dock Quotes may share my request with up to one or two local pros who may contact me about it. Privacy · Terms *

Free, no obligation. Charleston Dock Quotes is a referral service, not a contractor: how it works.

How it works

Tell us about your waterfrontYour town, the water you're on, what you want built or fixed, and your boat. About two minutes.
We match you with a local proWe pass your request to one vetted marine contractor who works your area, usually within one business day.
Get a site visit and quoteThe contractor contacts you to look at the site and give you a written quote, including how permitting would work. You decide.

Dock and boat lift services we can match you with

New dock constructionFixed piling docks, walkways, pierheads and floats.Boat lift installationFour-post, elevator, beamless and floating lifts sized to your boat.Dock repairPilings, decking, framing, ramps and hardware.Floating docksFloats and gangways that move with the tide.Covered docks & boathousesRoofs over pierheads and lifts, and boathouses.Storm damage & dock rebuildingRebuild a damaged or worn-out dock to its permitted size.Dock permits (SCDES / OCRM)Understand the SC critical-area permit before you build.

What docks and boat lifts cost in Charleston

Item	Published range	Source
Typical permitted residential dock, Charleston	$15,000–$45,000	BluTide Marine Construction (Johns Island), Boat Dock Cost in Charleston, SC: 2026 Price Guide
Dock, installed, Charleston	$25–$65 per sq ft	BluTide Marine Construction (Johns Island), Boat Dock Cost in Charleston, SC: 2026 Price Guide
Four-post boat lift, installed	$8,000–$15,000	BluTide Marine Construction, Boat Lift Installation in Charleston (Jul 1, 2026)
SCDES dock permit application fee	$250 ($150 under 100 ft)	SC Department of Environmental Services, Critical Area Permitting: Minor Activities
Dock repairs, national	$200–$4,000	Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Build a Dock? (updated Sep 22, 2026)

Read the full Charleston cost guide →

Building on Lowcountry water is different

Charleston docks deal with tides of several feet, soft pluff mud, salt water and storms. Walkways often have to cross long stretches of marsh to reach water at low tide, and nearly every new dock needs a state critical-area permit with stamped drawings and public notice. The right contractor handles the permit, sizes pilings for your bottom and sets the dock and lift for your tide range. See our permit guide.

Areas we cover

We accept dock and boat lift requests across Charleston-area waterfront: the harbor, the Ashley, Cooper, Wando and Stono rivers, tidal creeks, the Intracoastal Waterway and the barrier islands.

Downtown Charleston Mount Pleasant Daniel Island James Island Johns Island West Ashley North Charleston Isle of Palms Sullivan's Island Folly Beach Kiawah Island Seabrook Island Wadmalaw Island Summerville Moncks Corner

Common questions

Is this service really free?

Yes. You never pay us. The contractor may pay us a referral fee if you hire them. That never costs you anything extra, and you're never obligated to hire anyone.

Are you a dock builder?

No. We're a referral service. We don't build or repair anything. We pass your request to an independent, vetted local marine contractor.

How much does a dock cost in Charleston?

Typically $15,000–$45,000 for a permitted residential dock, per a Charleston contractor's published guide (BluTide Marine Construction (Johns Island), Boat Dock Cost in Charleston, SC: 2026 Price Guide). See our cost guide.

Do I need a permit for a dock?

For new docks in the coastal critical area, yes: an SCDES critical-area permit with a $250 fee ($150 for walkways under 100 ft) (SC Department of Environmental Services, Critical Area Permitting: Minor Activities). Most contractors handle the application.

How long does it take?

Plan on months, not weeks. BluTide estimates 3 to 5 months for permitting and surveying, then 4 to 8 weeks to build (BluTide Marine Construction (Johns Island), Boat Dock Cost in Charleston, SC: 2026 Price Guide).

All questions →

Referral service disclosure. Charleston Dock Quotes is not a contractor. We pass your request to an independent local pro who may pay us a referral fee if you hire them. That never costs you anything extra, and you are never obligated to hire anyone. Full disclosure.