
Boathouses and docks are the most regulated structures on the lake. We design, permit, and build single and two-storey boathouses, crib docks, and floating docks across Muskoka.
Every specialty within boathouses & docks, with its own scope, timeline, and fixed-price proposal. Pick the one that matches your project.
Single and two-storey boathouses with finished upper-level living space.
View Two-Storey Boathouses detailsPermanent crib-foundation docks for Muskoka lakes.
View Crib Docks detailsFloating docks for shallow shorelines and seasonal flexibility.
View Floating Docks detailsSteel pile docks for deep water and rocky shorelines.
View Pile Docks detailsDock board replacement, framing repairs, railings, ladders, bumpers, and surface upgrades.
View Dock Repairs & Re-decking detailsBoat lift coordination, dock modifications, framing support, and electrical coordination.
View Boat Lifts detailsSwim rafts, platforms, ladders, sitting areas, and shoreline recreation structures.
View Swim Platforms detailsDock stairs, ramps, railings, gates, ladders, and access improvements.
View Dock Stairs & Railings detailsBoathouse repairs, interior upgrades, siding, doors, decking, storage, and utility coordination.
View Boathouse Renovations detailsStorage rooms, utility closets, gear walls, lake toy storage, and serviceable boathouse layouts.
View Marine Storage & Utility Rooms detailsSeasonal checks, board repairs, hardware review, winter prep, and spring readiness work.
View Winter Dock Prep detailsLicensed plumbing rough-in, fixture, and repair work tied to your boathouses & docks project.
View Boathouses & Docks Plumbing detailsLicensed electrical rough-in, fixtures, and panel work tied to your boathouses & docks project.
View Boathouses & Docks Electrical details
Named #1 by the Quality Business Awards for craftsmanship, transparency, and on-time delivery across Muskoka.
"I hired Northern Oaks for a driveway extension as part of my home renovation so I could park two additional cars, and I'm really impressed with the results. The quality of the work and craftsmanship really stand out. It's been over 6 months and it's held up perfectly."
"Rob did a full renovation at my cottage. He listened carefully to my vision and worked closely with me to bring it to life. He was fair with his pricing and friendly to work with. I recommend Rob for your renovation project!"
"We hired Rob to install a new front porch and repair a set of stone steps leading into our garage. We are extremely happy with how the completed project looks and with the work Rob did for us. Rob was flexible and accommodating."
"Rob and his team at Northern Oaks Contracting are very professional, communication is excellent, and they were well priced. I had Rob come look at a water leak issue that had been looked at twice before by other contractors who didn't fix it."
"We had an excellent experience with Northern Oaks Contracting. Rob was always friendly, professional and very knowledgeable in many different areas. Not only did he do a great job with our renovation but he noticed and helped us out in some other areas too."
"The Northern Oaks Contracting crew has been amazing to work with from start to finish. Their ability to keep both customers and trades well-coordinated has made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a reliable and professional team!"










Tell us about the space. A real project manager replies within 4 to 8 hours with next steps.
Four things we do on every job, no matter the size. It's how we make sure the finished work still looks and functions the way it should years down the road.
Before we quote or design anything, we walk the site, take real measurements, and ask what you actually want out of the space. The best projects start with a clear picture, not a guess.
Every material gets picked for how it'll look, feel, and hold up over years of real use. We'll tell you where to spend and where you can save without regretting it later.
Straight walls, tight joints, level floors, clean finishes. We take the extra hour it costs to do it right because it saves you the callback and it's the work we want our name on.
One project manager from first quote to final walk-through. Punch lists get closed, the site gets cleaned, and you get a warranty in writing. No loose ends.
All workmanship backed by a 5-year warranty in writing.








No mystery, no ghosting between steps. Here's the exact path from first phone call to final walk-through, with what happens, who's on it, and what you'll have in your hands at the end of each stage.
MNRF, DFO, and municipal applications, often a 6 to 12 month process.
Barge-staged crib pours or pile drives, then framing and roof.
Cedar siding, copper roofing, interior finishes for the upper level.
Same project manager from first call to final walk-through.
We run the full scope or with vetted partners on a single contract. Here's what typically lands inside this kind of project.
Steel piles or rebuilt timber cribs sized for ice and wave loads.
PT or steel framing built for moisture and shoreline conditions.
Metal roofing and sundeck systems above the slip.
GFCI circuits, lift wiring, dock outlets, and shoreline lighting.
Boat lifts, doors, and hoists coordinated with the structure.
MNRF, Parks Canada, and conservation authority approvals.
Two ways to kick things off. Whichever is easier for you.
We'll meet you at the property, pull tape, take photos, and walk the scope with you in person.
Book a site visitPrefer to stay put? Hop on a video call and we'll walk the space or the plans together from anywhere.
Schedule a callOften, yes, but rules vary by lake and township. Most builds are replacements or expansions of existing footprints.
Plan for 6 to 12 months from application to in-water work, longer on protected lakes.
Crib for permanence on protected lakes. Pile for faster install with lower lake-bed impact. Floating for severe ice or shifting water.
Where zoning permits. We've built fully insulated, plumbed, and HVAC-equipped second levels with bedrooms, baths, and kitchenettes.
Yes, every step. We prepare, submit, attend agency meetings, and coordinate the in-water work window.
Yes, and replacement is often the only path to a new structure today. Existing footprint and grandfathered rights matter, we review both first.
Crib docks 4 to 8 weeks. Single-storey boathouses 4 to 6 months. Two-storey with finished upper level 7 to 12 months.
Yes. We coordinate lift install, shore power, lighting, and slip equipment with licensed marine electricians.
Yes. We work Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, and Port Severn regularly. Wind and ice loading are designed in.
We come to the site (or hop on a video call, whichever is easier), walk through the space with you, take measurements and photos, and ask questions about how you actually use the property. There is no sales pitch. You leave the meeting with a clear next-step plan and a rough sense of scope and timing, and we leave with enough information to start putting a real proposal together.
Local sourcing is absolutely an option and something we lean into whenever it makes sense, but it is not the only path. We source based on each client's needs, budget, and the specific goals for their project. Sometimes the right material is a local Muskoka supplier or a nearby millwork shop. Other times it's a specialty product from further away that better fits the look, performance, or lead time. We walk you through the options and make the call together.
A dedicated project manager owns your file from the first conversation through the final walk-through. On the ground you'll see our own carpenters and site lead running the day-to-day, plus vetted trade partners for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and specialty finishes. Everyone on site works to the same standard and reports up through the project manager, so you always know who to call and never get bounced between subs.
You get a single project manager as your point of contact, weekly photo updates so you can see progress even if you're out of town, scheduled check-in calls at major milestones, and any change to scope, timeline, or materials in writing before it happens. Most of our clients live in Toronto or out of province, so the whole process is built to work without you needing to be on site.
Change orders happen on almost every project once things are open and real conditions are visible. When something needs to shift (a hidden condition, a design tweak you want, a material swap) we document exactly what's changing, the impact on schedule, and the impact on the number, then send it to you for sign-off before any work happens. No surprises on the final invoice.
Every day. Site gets broomed and organized at the end of every workday, materials get stored properly, and containment stays in place so dust doesn't migrate through the rest of the house. At the end of the project the site gets a full detail clean before handover, and we do a joint walk-through with you to catch anything that needs a final touch.
A full two-year workmanship warranty on everything we build, in writing, handed to you at closeout along with a maintenance schedule and a folder of all product manuals, paint colours, and finish specs. If something isn't right we come back and fix it, no debate. On new builds you also get the applicable structural warranty coverage on top of that.
Real projects, real progress shots. Tap through for the full story on any of them.

How to decide between repair and rebuild on a Lake of Bays boathouse, what the township requires, and when marine construction can actually happen.
Read the guide
Crib, pipe, floating, or cantilever. Here is what each dock type actually costs in Muskoka, how ice treats them, and what permits to expect.
Read the guide
An existing Muskoka boathouse is often more valuable than a permit for a new one. Repair, rebuild, or something in between: here is how we assess it.
Read the guide