Owning a waterfront home can make owning a boat and taking it out a lot easier. However, when you buy your home, it might not be set up for a boat right away. A lot of homeowners find that they need to put in a pier or a boat lift, or replace the ones that are already there. If you want to make some adjustments, so it’s easier to moor your boat, there are some essential things to consider. Waterfront construction must be carried out sensitively, so you can’t dive right in and get started. Before you start building a pier, wharf or boat lift, you need to consider these important issues.
Check Local Regulations and Guidelines
The most important thing you need to do before making changes to the waterfront is check local regulations. There are usually rules you need to follow or, at least, guidelines you should take note of. Contact the authority in charge of land or marine services in your area. They might have a number of things you need to do. For example, you might need a permit before you can start building. There will possibly be restrictions on the length and width of your structure. You might have to use particular materials or perhaps construct your pier or lift in a certain way.
Making Repairs to Existing Structures
If there is already structure at your waterfront home, you might decide to repair it. In some cases, it could be better value or perhaps you just like the existing structure. When making repairs, you still might need to get a permit from the relevant authority. In some cases, you might not need one if the work isn’t extensive. If you decide to make repairs, you could also expand on the structure at the same time. Doing this means you need to be sensitive to the original design.
Designing a New Structure
When there is no existing structure or you want to get rid of the one that is there, you will need to build a new one. Most people will hire a company to do everything for them to ensure it’s carried out properly. Summerset Marine is one example of a company that can do this to your specifications. A professional service will know all the regulations you need to follow. There are various options and designs you can consider for your waterfront property. You might need to install a pier or perhaps a boat lift, including moorings and other essentials.
Environmental Considerations
It’s essential to consider a variety of environmental concerns when building on the waterfront. Many of these will be covered by your local regulations, so you shouldn’t have any problems if you follow them. Some of the things to watch out for include impacts on fish and their habitats and bank protection. Erosion can be an issue if you aren’t careful, so many people choose to install a bulkhead.
A pier or boat lift can be a great addition to your waterfront home. Just plan your construction carefully to make sure you get it right.