Dock piling replacement cost: concrete, composite and wood in South Florida
Pilings carry the dock and the lift, and the choice between concrete, composite and wood is mostly a question of borers, cost and how long you plan to stay. Here are the published ranges and what the sources say about each material.
Short answerSouth Florida contractors publish about $1,200 to $3,500 per concrete or composite piling installed (Souffront)[1] and $1,500 to $4,000 per piling replaced (JKT Marine).[2] Wood is cheaper up front but is vulnerable to shipworms, and a contractor says it is rarely advisable here without marine-rated treatment.[5]
Published per-piling ranges
| Source | Range | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Souffront Contractors (South Florida) | $1,200 to $3,500 per piling | Concrete or composite pilings, installed, depending on length, diameter, material and access |
| JKT Marine (South Florida), dock repair guide | $1,500 to $4,000 per piling | Single piling replacement including installation; multiple pilings $8,000 to $25,000 or more |
| JKT Marine, boat lift guide | $1,200 to $2,500 each | Concrete pilings for a lift, depending on length and water depth; a standard lift needs 4 |
| Angi (national) | $200 to $1,600 per piling or post | Repair or replacement across the country; not Florida saltwater specific |
Piling cost estimator: three published ranges
Assumptions and sources. Each line multiplies your piling count by one source's published low and high figure.[1][2][3] The sources define their figures differently, a national figure is shown only for contrast, and access, length and depth change real quotes. Souffront gives $15,000 to $50,000 or more for a full piling replacement project on a dock with many pilings.[1]
Concrete, composite or wood
| What the sources say | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Vulnerable to marine borers (shipworms) below the waterline; damage can be advanced before it shows above water.[4] Cheaper up front but rarely advisable in South Florida saltwater without marine-rated pressure treatment (CCA or better), per one contractor.[5] Angi gives 15 to 20 years as a general life for pilings.[3] |
| Concrete | Avoids the borer threat, per JKT Marine.[4] Higher cost per piling than wood in contractor descriptions.[2] |
| Composite | Grouped with concrete in both contractor pages as outperforming timber in saltwater.[1][4] |
Material comparisons here are vendor statements, not test data. We found no neutral lifecycle study to cite, so we do not publish a per-year cost comparison.
What replacement involves
- Piling replacement is not a repair of the piling; when borers or corrosion compromise it, replacement is the fix, according to one contractor.[1]
- Piling driving can disturb soil behind an adjacent seawall, so a seawall check before work is sensible.[7]
- Replacing pilings generally needs permits, in a contractor's words, while the Broward general license text covers repair or replacement of existing docks and associated pilings within the 500 sq ft total test.[8][9] See the Broward dock license helper.
Common questions
How much does one dock piling cost to replace?
South Florida contractors publish $1,200 to $3,500 for concrete or composite pilings installed (Souffront) and $1,500 to $4,000 per piling including installation (JKT Marine).[1][2] Angi's national figure for repairing or replacing a piling is $200 to $1,600 each.[3]
How long do wood pilings last?
Angi says pilings last 15 to 20 years but may need earlier attention in harsh conditions.[3] Contractors add that wood pilings in South Florida are vulnerable to shipworms below the waterline.[4]
Do concrete pilings avoid borers?
JKT Marine says concrete and composite pilings avoid the marine borer threat that attacks wood below the waterline.[4]
Related: Dock repair cost · Boat lift cost
Sources and verified dates
Statements marked [n] come from these sources. Seller pages are listed as ranges they publish, not as quotes. If a rule or fee matters to a decision, confirm it with the agency before you act.
- Souffront Contractors (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Ranges: structural repair $150 to $600 per linear foot; concrete or composite pilings $1,200 to $3,500 installed; decking $25 to $75 per sq ft (a 400 sq ft deck $10,000 to $30,000); framing $50 to $150 per linear foot; dock electrical overhaul $3,000 to $12,000; most residential docks have 6 to 16 pilings; a full piling replacement project can run $15,000 to $50,000 or more; an engineer-sealed report is frequently required by HOAs, lenders and insurers.
Souffront Contractors: Dock Repair Cost in South Florida
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Ranges: board replacement $50 to $150 per board; full redeck $8,000 to $25,000; structural joist and stringer repair $3,000 to $15,000; single piling replacement $1,500 to $4,000; multiple pilings $8,000 to $25,000 or more; storm damage $5,000 to $40,000 or more; hardware $500 to $3,000; marine electrical $500 to $5,000.
JKT Marine: How Much Does Dock Repair Cost in South Florida? (2026 Guide)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Angi (National consumer cost guide (not Florida specific))
National 2026 data: average boat dock repair $3,355; most pay $896 to $5,881; piling or post $200 to $1,600 each; decking $4 to $55 per sq ft; labor $75 to $150 per hour; pilings last 15 to 20 years; 50 percent rule against an average $15,000 replacement.
Angi: How Much Do Boat Dock Repairs Cost? (2026 data, national)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Rule of thumb: if repair exceeds 60 to 70 percent of full replacement cost, replacement is usually the better investment; wood pilings are vulnerable to shipworms below the waterline; concrete and composite pilings avoid that threat.
JKT Marine: How Much Does Dock Repair Cost in South Florida? (2026 Guide)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Souffront Contractors (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Timber pilings are cheaper up front but rarely advisable in South Florida saltwater without marine-rated pressure treatment (CCA or better) (vendor statement).
Souffront Contractors: Dock Repair Cost in South Florida
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Concrete pilings $1,200 to $2,500 each, a standard lift needs 4; permits $500 to $2,500 depending on municipality and scope; electrical run $800 to $2,500.
JKT Marine: Boat Lift Cost Guide, South Florida (2026)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Souffront Contractors (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Many South Florida docks connect to the seawall or share load with it; piling driving can disturb soil behind the seawall and seawall movement can affect dock alignment.
Souffront Contractors: Dock Repair Cost in South Florida
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
The vendor says like-for-like surface redecking typically needs no permit, while structural repairs, piling replacement and footprint changes generally do (vendor statement; confirm with the city and county).
JKT Marine: How Much Does Dock Repair Cost in South Florida? (2026 Guide)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County (Primary: county code (Municode text))
General license covers repair or replacement of existing docks and pilings if no added waterward fill is used and the new or repaired over-water structure, including docks or seawall caps, is not enlarged beyond a total of 500 sq ft over-water surface, measured from the wet face of the seawall at mean high water (Sec. 27-336(a)(1)a).
Broward County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27, Art. XI, Sec. 27-336 (General licenses) · second copy
Verified on Oct 31, 2026.