Standard, custom, and composite built for Florida waterfronts.
A well-built dock gives you safe boat access, more time on the water, and lasting value on your waterfront property. The right design, the right pilings, and the right decking make the difference between a dock that lasts 10 years and one that lasts 30. At J&M Marine Construction, we design and build custom docks across Naples and Collier County.
We are a licensed dock builder with an in-house metal fabrication shop and a full pile-driving crew, all based at 2496 Kirkwood Ave in Naples. One team takes your project from first drawing to final board. No subcontractors, no hand-offs, no finger-pointing if something needs a fix down the road.
This page covers site survey, dock layout, pilings, framing, decking choices, permits, and final install. Call J&M Marine Construction today to book an on-site shoreline visit.
01
Every dock construction project in Naples starts with a visit to your shoreline. We look at the water, the bottom, and the lot before we draw a single line on paper. A dock plan that ignores any of those three will fail early.
What we measure and review:
* Water depth at mean low tide
* Tidal range from high to low
* Bottom type — sand, muck, rock, or sea grass
* Shoreline frontage and access for our crew
* Property setbacks from neighbors and the seawall
Naples Bay and the canal systems off it have very different bottoms and access routes. Some lots open to deep water; others sit on shallow flats that need a longer dock to reach usable depth. Bottom type also drives piling choice and pile-driving method.
The result is a dock plan built for your water, your lot, and your boat — not a template pulled off the shelf.
02
Once we know your shoreline, the next step is shape and size. Dock layout drive show the dock looks, how you use it, and whether it passes the Collier County rules.
Common layouts we build in Naples:
* Straight runs for narrow canal-front lots
* L-shapes with a main walkway and a head dock
* T-shapes for boat tie-up on both sides
* U-shapes that wrap around a slip or boat lift
We size every dock within Collier County setback limits and state shoreline rules.Those rules cover distance from your side property lines, distance into open water, and total dock area allowed.
In neighborhoods like Port Royal and Aqua lane Shores, owners often want longer runs to reach deeper water with room for a boat lift slip at the end. We plan the lift footprint into the dock from day one so the build matches the boats.
You end up with a dock that fits your boat, works for your family, and passes every county and state line on the plan.
03
A dock is only as strong as what holds it up. Pilings and framing do that work, and we pick both based on your water, your dock size, and how long you want the structure to last.
Piling options we install:
Pressure-treated wood for budget-friendly builds
Concrete pilings for long life and storm resistance
Composite pilings for canal lots with marine borer problems
Our pile-driving crew sets each piling to the right depth and plumb angle. Pilings driven too shallow shift in storms; pilings driven crooked stress the frame for years.
Framing choices depend on dock type:
* Pressure-treated lumber stringers for traditional fixed docks
* Aluminum stringers for floating docks and low-maintenance builds
* Stainless and hot-dip galvanized bolts and brackets throughout
Naples canal water is brackish and warm — ideal conditions for marine borers. Wood pilings in those canals need extra protection or a switch to concrete. We pick the piling that matches the water you actually have.
04
Decking is the part of the dock you walk on every day. It also drives the look from the house and the long-term care the dock will need. We help you pick the right material for your build.
Wood decking options:
* Pressure-treated pine — classic look, lower cost
* IPE — dense Brazilian hardwood, long life
* Cumaru — similar to IPE, slightly lighter color
* Other tropical hardwoods on request
Composite decking options:
* Trex marine-rated boards
* Timber Tech composite lines
* Other UV-stable composite brands
Aluminum decking is also on the table for storm-rated builds. It has the longest life, drains fast, and stays cool in Naples sun.
Three details shape how the deck holds up:
* Board thickness for the dock span
* Gap spacing between boards for drainage
* Fastener choice — stainless screws or hidden clips
Old Naples owners often pick hardwood for the classic look. Newer builds across Naples lean composite for the low-maintenance side. We walk you through samples before any decision is locked in.
Key Details
Most dock builds in Naples need permits before any pilings get driven. We handle the full permit package so you stay out of the office and on your timeline.
The main approvals on every Naples dock build:
We draw the plans, submit the application, and respond to reviewer questions. Revisions go in fast so the permit keeps moving. When inspectors show up during or after the build, we meet them on site.
Permit timelines shift with county and state workload. We start the paperwork the day you sign so pilings and decking are ready when the approval comes through. You sign the application; we run the rest.
With permits in hand and materials on the truck, the build moves to your Naples shoreline. The sequence is the same on every job, even if the dock shape and size change from lot to lot.
Build sequence:
1. Pile driving from barge or shoreline based on site access
2. Stringer and crossbeam framing on the pilings
3. Decking board install with proper gap spacing
4. Stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners throughout
5. Cleats, ladders, bumpers, and rails added at the finish
6. Lights, power, and water hookups if you ordered them
Our shallow-draft barge handles canal jobs where road access is tight. For open-shoreline lots, we work from the bank with the pile driver and a small crane.
The final walk-through covers level checks, hardware tightness, and a punch list of any items you want adjusted. Most full Naples dock builds wrap in two to four weeks once we are on site. When the last board goes down and you step out over the water, the job is done.
The best decking for a dock in Naples balances saltwater life, sun resistance, and grip when wet. No single material wins every category, so the right pick depend son how the dock will be used and how much care you want to do each year. Three options lead the pack in Naples water.
Top picks:
* Tropical hardwoods like IPE and cumaru — dense, long-lasting, classic look
* Composite boards from Trex, Timber Tech, and similar lines — low maintenance, UV-stable, marine-rated
* Aluminum decking — longest life, slip-resistant, hurricane-rated
We bring samples to your shoreline visit so you can see and feel each option before choosing.
Whether you need a new build, a full rebuild, or a fresh deck on existing pilings, our crew is ready to help. We serve waterfront owners across Naples, Marco Island, and all of Collier County.
What you get when you call J&M Marine Construction:
* Free on-site shoreline visit
* Licensed dock builder and metal fabricator
* Full pile-driving crew in-house
* Permit handling from start to finish
* One team from drawing through final board
Call (239) 353-7326 to schedule your dock consultation. You can also stop by our shop at 2496 Kirkwood Ave, Naples, FL 34112 to talk through your project in person.
Yes — Collier County and Florida DEP permits apply to most dock builds in Naples. We submit the full permit package, run revisions, and meet inspectors onsite. You sign the application; we handle the rest of the process.
Dock length depends on water depth, setbacks, and state shoreline limits. We measure your water and review the rules during the site visit before we set a final length. Open-water lots in Naples often allow longer docks than canal-front lots.
Standard residential dock boards are 5/4 inch thick in Naples builds. Thicker boards work better for long spans, heavy traffic, or open-water docks that take wave action. We pick board thickness based on stringer spacing and how you plan to use the dock.
Yes — marine-rated composite boards like Trex and Timber Tech work well on Naples docks with proper framing. The framing under the deck needs to match the composite's span and fastener rules. We build the frame to spec so the deck holds up for the long run.
Most full Naples dock builds wrap in two to four weeks once we are on site. Permit time runs separately and can add weeks before construction starts. We start the paperwork early so build time and permit time overlap.
Yes — we match decking, layout, trim, and hardware to keep the look consistent across the property. This is common when owners add a section, replace a deck, or rebuild after storm damage. Bring photos or invite us out to the site to see the original.