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Northern Oaks
Two-storey cedar boathouse with copper roof on a Muskoka lake

Boathouses & Docks
in Muskoka.

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.

  • 5.0 · 19 Google reviews
  • Licensed · Insured · WSIB
  • Replies in 4-8 hours
$5M liability + WSIB
3 years building in Muskoka
Huntsville to Parry Sound
Our boathouses & docks services

Our boathouses & docks services.

Every specialty within boathouses & docks, with its own scope, timeline, and fixed-price proposal. Pick the one that matches your project.

Two-Storey Boathouses

Single and two-storey boathouses with finished upper-level living space.

View Two-Storey Boathouses details

Crib Docks

Permanent crib-foundation docks for Muskoka lakes.

View Crib Docks details

Floating Docks

Floating docks for shallow shorelines and seasonal flexibility.

View Floating Docks details

Pile Docks

Steel pile docks for deep water and rocky shorelines.

View Pile Docks details

Dock Repairs & Re-decking

Dock board replacement, framing repairs, railings, ladders, bumpers, and surface upgrades.

View Dock Repairs & Re-decking details

Boat Lifts

Boat lift coordination, dock modifications, framing support, and electrical coordination.

View Boat Lifts details

Swim Platforms

Swim rafts, platforms, ladders, sitting areas, and shoreline recreation structures.

View Swim Platforms details

Dock Stairs & Railings

Dock stairs, ramps, railings, gates, ladders, and access improvements.

View Dock Stairs & Railings details

Boathouse Renovations

Boathouse repairs, interior upgrades, siding, doors, decking, storage, and utility coordination.

View Boathouse Renovations details

Marine Storage & Utility Rooms

Storage rooms, utility closets, gear walls, lake toy storage, and serviceable boathouse layouts.

View Marine Storage & Utility Rooms details

Winter Dock Prep

Seasonal checks, board repairs, hardware review, winter prep, and spring readiness work.

View Winter Dock Prep details

Boathouses & Docks Plumbing

Licensed plumbing rough-in, fixture, and repair work tied to your boathouses & docks project.

View Boathouses & Docks Plumbing details

Boathouses & Docks Electrical

Licensed electrical rough-in, fixtures, and panel work tied to your boathouses & docks project.

View Boathouses & Docks Electrical details
2025 Quality Business Award winner
Recognised 2025

Best general contractor in Muskoka.

Named #1 by the Quality Business Awards for craftsmanship, transparency, and on-time delivery across Muskoka.

What clients say

Real boathouses & docks reviews .

5.0 · 19+ Google reviews
via Google
"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."
Semir N.4 months ago
via Google
"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!"
Christina Cruise8 months ago
via Google
"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."
Gerry McCall2 years ago
via Google
"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."
Eric Turcotte3 months ago
via Google
"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."
Tiffany Wilson2 months ago
via Google
"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!"
Curtis Henhawke4 months ago
Recent work

Explore Our Recent Work

Cottage deck rebuild in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Cedar deck with pergola roof in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
A-frame new build, framing in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Bathroom renovation in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Paver restoration & landscape refresh in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Stone fireplaces & feature walls in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Interior renovation, drywall stage in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Basement finishing in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
White shaker kitchen with marble waterfall island in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Start your project

Ready to start your Boathouses & Docks project?

Tell us about the space. A real project manager replies within 4 to 8 hours with next steps.

How we approach it

How we approach every project.

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.

01

We understand the space first

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.

02

We choose materials with the end in mind

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.

03

We build it properly, not just quickly

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.

04

We finish what we start

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.

5yr
Workmanship warranty

All workmanship backed by a 5-year warranty in writing.

More recent work

More From The Field

Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Bathroom refresh, tub to glass shower in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Walk-in shower tile build in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Full-height fieldstone fireplace in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Marble ensuite in progress in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Marble ensuite with neo-angle glass shower in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Statement marble bathroom build in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Full basement build, drywall stage in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Our process

How a boathouses & docks project actually runs.

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.

  1. 01
    Discovery
    Week 1

    Permits

    MNRF, DFO, and municipal applications, often a 6 to 12 month process.

    What you get
    Site notes, rough budget range, next-step plan
  2. 02
    Design & pricing
    Weeks 2 to 4

    Marine build

    Barge-staged crib pours or pile drives, then framing and roof.

    What you get
    Fixed-price proposal, scope of work, start window
  3. 03
    On-site work
    Build phase

    Finish

    Cedar siding, copper roofing, interior finishes for the upper level.

    What you get
    Weekly photo updates, milestone check-ins, change orders in writing
One point of contact

Same project manager from first call to final walk-through.

Start the conversation
What's involved

Every trade in a boathouses & docks project.

We run the full scope or with vetted partners on a single contract. Here's what typically lands inside this kind of project.

Cribs & piles

Steel piles or rebuilt timber cribs sized for ice and wave loads.

Marine framing

PT or steel framing built for moisture and shoreline conditions.

Roof & deck

Metal roofing and sundeck systems above the slip.

Electrical

GFCI circuits, lift wiring, dock outlets, and shoreline lighting.

Lifts & mechanicals

Boat lifts, doors, and hoists coordinated with the structure.

Permitting

MNRF, Parks Canada, and conservation authority approvals.

How we meet

On site, or on video.

Two ways to kick things off. Whichever is easier for you.

On-site walk-through

We'll meet you at the property, pull tape, take photos, and walk the scope with you in person.

Book a site visit

Live video walkthrough

Prefer to stay put? Hop on a video call and we'll walk the space or the plans together from anywhere.

Schedule a call
FAQ

Common questions.

Can I still build a new boathouse in Muskoka?+

Often, yes, but rules vary by lake and township. Most builds are replacements or expansions of existing footprints.

How long does the permit process take?+

Plan for 6 to 12 months from application to in-water work, longer on protected lakes.

Crib, pile, or floating dock?+

Crib for permanence on protected lakes. Pile for faster install with lower lake-bed impact. Floating for severe ice or shifting water.

Can you finish the upper level for guests?+

Where zoning permits. We've built fully insulated, plumbed, and HVAC-equipped second levels with bedrooms, baths, and kitchenettes.

Do you handle MNRF and DFO applications?+

Yes, every step. We prepare, submit, attend agency meetings, and coordinate the in-water work window.

Can you replace an existing boathouse?+

Yes, and replacement is often the only path to a new structure today. Existing footprint and grandfathered rights matter, we review both first.

How long does construction take?+

Crib docks 4 to 8 weeks. Single-storey boathouses 4 to 6 months. Two-storey with finished upper level 7 to 12 months.

Do you install boat lifts and marine electrical?+

Yes. We coordinate lift install, shore power, lighting, and slip equipment with licensed marine electricians.

Can you build on Georgian Bay?+

Yes. We work Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, and Port Severn regularly. Wind and ice loading are designed in.

How does the first meeting actually work?+

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.

Do you source materials locally?+

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.

Who is actually on site during the project?+

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.

How do you keep us in the loop while work is happening?+

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.

What happens if something needs to change mid-project?+

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.

Do you clean up as you go?+

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.

What kind of warranty comes with the work?+

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.

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