Seawalls, docks and boat lifts built for South Florida water
Seawall repair, new docks and boat lifts in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys.
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We build and repair seawalls, docks and boat lifts, and handle marine construction and flood protection, from Biscayne Bay to Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter and the Keys. Tell us about your waterfront and we will come back to you with next steps and a free quote.
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- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
SoFlo Marine Construction repairs and replaces seawalls, builds and repairs docks, installs and services boat lifts, and handles marine construction and flood protection across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Florida Keys. Almost any work in tidal water here needs permits: in Miami-Dade a DERM Class I permit applies to all work in, on or over tidal waters, even inside cities (Miami-Dade DERM, 2025). We plan the permit path with you before work starts.
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Services
Choose a service to see typical project sizes, costs and the questions to ask.
Seawalls
Seawall repair, replacement, new caps, raising, riprap toe protection and inspections.
Docks
New docks, dock repair, floating docks, pilings and composite decking.
Boat lifts
Boat lift installation, repair, motors and cables, jet ski lifts and servicing.
Marine construction
Pile driving, bulkheads, boat davits and living shorelines.
Flood protection
Flood barriers and panels for doors and garages, and flood vents.
How a project works with us
Tell us about the waterfront
Use the form on any page. Add your waterfront length and any city notice you have received.
We look at the site and the rules
We check what the job needs and which permits apply: county, city, state and, where needed, federal.
You get a clear quote
Scope, price and timing in writing. The work is carried out by licensed marine contractors.
Areas we cover in South Florida
Miami
Biscayne Bay, the Miami River and Little River: DERM permits and state submerged lands.
Miami Beach
5.7 ft NAVD seawall standard, overtopping citations and a seawall grant.
Coral Gables
6 ft NGVD bulkhead rule, DERM approval before city review, living seawall fee cut.
Boca Raton
Chapter 22 marine structures, staged cap inspections and Intracoastal approvals.
Key Largo
Monroe County dock length limits, Sanctuary approval and seagrass rules.
Fort Lauderdale
5 ft NAVD88 seawalls, the 25% dock rule and a Broward County license for any work in the water.
Jupiter
Dock projection limits, parallel mooring in canals and a cap no higher than base flood elevation.
Islamorada
Village shoreline setbacks, covered lift limits and mangrove rules, approved by the state.
Guides and cost data
Boat lift cost in South Florida (2026 guide)
What a boat lift costs in South Florida in 2026: four-post, elevator, hydraulic and jet ski lifts, installation, pilings and permit fees.
Boat lift maintenance checklist for salt water
A boat lift maintenance checklist for South Florida salt water: what to do after each use, each season and each year, based on manufacturer guidance.
Dock building cost in South Florida (2026 guide)
What it costs to build or repair a dock in South Florida: national ranges, piling costs, Miami-Dade and FDEP permit fees and what drives price.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to repair my seawall in Miami-Dade?
Often not for small repairs. Miami-Dade DERM exempts sealing cracks and spall repair on a seawall cap or face, pilaster repair and backfilling behind an existing wall. Cap and tieback replacement need an expedited DERM authorisation, and rebuilding the wall needs a short-form Class I permit.
How much does a new seawall cost in South Florida?
Fort Lauderdale's 2016 contractor survey put new or replacement seawalls at $650 to $2,000 per linear foot, depending on water depth and location, plus $2,000 to $5,000 for engineering and permits. Prices have risen since, so we quote each wall after seeing it.
How much does a boat lift cost?
A 10,000 lb four-post boat lift installed in South Florida typically runs $7,000 to $14,000, and a jet ski lift $3,000 to $10,000, according to ThePricer's 2026 guide. New pilings add to the cost.
Which areas do you cover?
Miami-Dade County (including Miami, Miami Beach and Coral Gables), Broward County (including Fort Lauderdale), Palm Beach County (including Boca Raton and Jupiter) and the Florida Keys (including Key Largo and Islamorada).
Who does the work?
Licensed marine contractors who work locally carry out every job. Florida now has state specialty licence categories for marine seawall, bulkhead, dock and pile driving work, and you can check any licence on the state DBPR search.
Sources
- Class I Permit Application for Coastal Construction and Mangrove Trimming within Miami-Dade County (Revised May 2025), Miami-Dade County RER, Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), Coastal Resources Section. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Seawalls and Sea Level Rise Induced Flooding (Florida Sea Grant compilation, includes City of Fort Lauderdale 'Frequently Asked Questions: Seawall Ordinance Implementation', 25 Jan 2017), Florida Sea Grant (reproducing City of Fort Lauderdale and Florida Bar ELULS material). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- How Much Does a Boat Lift Cost? (updated 11 Aug 2026), ThePricer.org (secondary cost guide; cited in the FCC master plan). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Construction Industry Licensing Board: Archives (HB 1383 / SB 1142 specialty licensing changes), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board. Accessed October 27, 2026.
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