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.
The work, in detail.
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.
- Single and two-storey boathouses
- Crib, pile, and floating docks
- MNRF and municipal permits handled
- Marine electrical and lifts coordinated
How we approach boathouses & docks.
Permit-first
Boathouses live or die at the application stage. We start every project with a footprint review, zoning check, and MNRF/DFO assessment before any design work begins.
Crib, pile, or floating
Crib docks for permanence on protected lakes. Pile docks for faster install and lower lake-bed impact. Floating docks for severe ice or shifting water levels. Each chosen for the specific lake and bottom.
Marine logistics
Barge staging, in-water work windows, marine concrete pours, and coordinated lift, boat, and slip installs. We've worked every Muskoka lake and most of Georgian Bay.
Upper-level living
Two-storey boathouse second levels finished to cottage standards: insulated, plumbed, wired for full-service guest accommodation where zoning permits.
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.
Boathouses & Docks we've built.
We come to you. Lake, city, or screen.
We love meeting people over a coffee so we can hear them out and understand their vision for the cottage. Boots on the ground in Muskoka, in-person meetings in Toronto, or a video call if your schedule is tight. Pick what works for you.
Coffee in the city
Most of our clients live in Toronto or the GTA. We meet downtown between site days so you can sketch ideas, swap photos, and walk through scope without driving north.
Boots on the ground in Muskoka
Our crew lives here. We'll meet you at the cottage, walk the lot, and pull tape on what you're thinking, no appointment shuffling required.
Virtual walkthroughs
Live video walkthroughs of the site, the build, and the selections. Hit join from anywhere in the world and see the project as if you were standing in it.
Year-round or weekenders
Whether the cottage is your full-time home or your getaway, we shape the build sequence around how you actually use the place, and how often you can be on site.
"10-month permit, 9-month build, two-storey boathouse with finished guest suite above. Every milestone hit."
"Crib dock through ice, in-water window held by a week. Marine logistics handled without us thinking about it."
"MNRF application was a year of paperwork. They knew every form."
Every type of boathouses & docks we do.
Boathouses & Docks covers a lot of ground. Browse the specialty that matches your project, each one gets its own deep-dive page with scope, specs, and FAQs.
Two-Storey Boathouses
Single and two-storey boathouses with finished upper-level living space.
View Two-Storey Boathouses detailsCrib Docks
Permanent crib-foundation docks for Muskoka lakes.
View Crib Docks detailsFloating Docks
Floating docks for shallow shorelines and seasonal flexibility.
View Floating Docks detailsPile Docks
Steel pile docks for deep water and rocky shorelines.
View Pile Docks detailsHow a boathouses & docks project runs.
Permits
MNRF, DFO, and municipal applications, often a 6 to 12 month process.
Marine build
Barge-staged crib pours or pile drives, then framing and roof.
Finish
Cedar siding, copper roofing, interior finishes for the upper level.
Boathouses & Docks across every Muskoka community.
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.
What does a two-storey boathouse cost?+
Most two-storey builds with finished upper level run $650,000 to $1.6M depending on lake, footprint, and finish level.
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.
Start your boathouses & docks project.
Walk the site with us. We follow up with a fixed-price proposal, usually within two weeks.