Guys I’m about due for a new one. I need traditional pressure treated lumber (2x6 decking) 5’x25’ walkway to a 14’x20’ dock. Pile driven, water runs from 2’ at bank to 6’ at end of dock. Flat access can drive a pickup within 12’ of dock site. Nearest public launch is one mile. Lay Lake, Talladega county side. Power at dock for tools. Any ideas on price? Please include tearing out the old dock (same size) and the old pilings in the price

Price it and do it yourself. If not your looking at 3 times the cost.

I would love to but I’m afraid I can’t drive the piles since they usually do it with a giant hammer attached to a barge. I could probably beat some 4x4’s in but that won’t be quite what I am looking for. I was really hoping someone on here Had one built lately. The last time I paid for one was 12 years ago, and it was this one, and it was $6k. I would bet it’s $9k if it’s a penny now.

I hate to hear you only got 12 years out of it. I would expect 20. Or that’s what I would think.

Ya 12 years seems short.
Depending on how old you are/how long you plan on keeping the place, I would be looking at upgrading materials to get a longer life.

Johnal3 on here builds piers. PM him.

My back deck, 24x26 last 10 years before it started rotting. Spots on the decking started turning black and it just fell apart. If you bought Yellawood it's got a 30 year warranty. They made up the materials on mine. They had problems with the treatment process at that time. If that's what you used it would be worth checking into. The new stuff I used is rated for ground contact. Every piece of it from the 6x6's to the 5/4.

I changed the design of the deck when I built it back and had to buy some lumber. Treated lumber is really high right now so your pier is gonna cost much, much more than it did 12 years ago.

I’ve patched and pieced it already. And don’t get me wrong I could probably get 2 more years if I did an extensive repair. It seems everything above the water line rots. I could patch it up but I’m tired of being worried about people being on it and maybe getting hurt by falling through. Thanks for the suggestion about the wood warranty. It had the yellow tag on it when it was bought but I don’t have any receipts because a contractor built it originally.

good start for a follow up conversation. I need one very similar dimensions built for my Pond. built from scratch tho. there isn't one to repair. I've also been looking around for a base price. the materials I can price within a few percent, its the labor to build something out in the water that's got me shopping and trying to figure a fair price. I don't mind even doing it myself but how do I get 4x4s in the bottom of the pond far enough to support a structure like that? open to criticism or support,

If you are gonna do 4x4’s I know that. I’ve done it. Cut a point on all them with a chain saw. Position them and beat with a big sledge until they split. Once that happens attach the bands and cut the extra 4x4 off before you deck it.

How much sand is there? I’ve put many of piers and bulkheads in with a water pump, but it only works with sandy ground.

Rebelman, sorry I was speaking of the mud we have in central Alabama. Forgot about the south guys. I heard you can bury a post with a pressure washer but I would need someone to confirm.

Washing the dirt away as the post goes down . Hard part is getting the post standing end down pushed to the bottom to get started

Doesn’t work that way unless you’re in sand. Any rocks, sticks, etc. gets in the way and you’re done jetting your way in. And up here in more northern Alabama, you’re not gonna get very deep.
There’s so much more that goes into building a pier THE RIGHT WAY. It’s not just a deck, obviously. If it’s on a big lake or river, it takes a beating from current, boat traffic, wind, full sun....you name it. It takes a lot more lumber and time to build one correctly. I get jobs all the time from people that thought they were gonna do it “right” with a pontoon and a sledge hammer. I won’t say it’s impossible, but it’s real close.

This guy knows^^^ and btw he is dang good at building decks and piers!

Thanks, Ben....

I do know one thing... When it’s built Do Not use 10x paint or anything like it. I did and within 5yrs the boards were roting in places and had to replace them and am about to replace more.

Why couldn't you put the piling down with a jet pump?

Johnal, do you use ground contact rated lumber for everything over the water? I've never built a pier but I figure with all the moisture it would about have to be GC rated.

I built one for my father in law on Lake Eufaula. We used 4" schedule 40 steel pipe for post. We then used a piece of 6" around 30 inches long to drive them like a drive a fence post. We would drive them down then I would weld on a section and drive some more. We drive 10 post that way. It was a hell of a job