The Dock Shop · DIY Dock Kits
How to Build a Floating Dock
Easily plan, purchase, and assemble all the components needed to build your ideal floating dock.
Building a dock is easier than you think
While building a floating dock yourself might sound daunting, The Dock Shop makes it easy. Our DIY Kits ship with all the pre-selected floats and hardware, specifically designed for your platform size and freeboard height. No need for complicated buoyancy math or guessing at float sizes - simply choose your ideal combination of kits at a consistent freeboard, then order and assemble.
- Eliminate the guess work
- Free planning and build support
- DIY Friendly
- Custom kits available
How it works
Three steps, start to finish - the easiest dock you've ever built.
Choose Your Float freeboard is the distance from the top of the float to the waterline. Total freeboard also includes the height of your framing and decking.
Pick a freeboard height that matches how you'll use the dock - higher for active platforms and live load, lower for kayak entry and low-to-the-water fishing.
Design Your Layout
Mix and match kits at that same freeboard into your ideal combination of ramp, walkway, and platform.
Anchoring
Decide how the walkway meets shore and how the platform stays put - dropped/chained anchors or driven piles.
What does "designed for you" mean?
Each kit's floats are sized so that, fully assembled (assuming standard hardware, framing, and decking options), each platform will sit at its target height - creating stable, level builds, with clearly stated live load capacity. While this is usually the trickiest part of a dock build, our kits make it easy.
Choose Your Freeboard
Freeboard is the decision that determines how high your dock will sit off the water and how much weight it can support. Kits are sold by target Float Freeboard - once you pick a height, keep every module at that same height so they combine cleanly.
Float Freeboard vs. Total Freeboard
Float freeboard is the distance from the top of the float to the waterline, while Total Freeboard is the distance from the top of the decking to the waterline (the total height of your dock system). Dock Shop DIY Kits are sold at Float Freeboard, as some non-standard build options like heavy-duty framing or extra thick decking may ultimately alter the total freeboard of the dock.
Match your freeboard to your use case. A few examples:
Lots of people, furniture, or gear? Higher profile docks with more float freeboard will support more live load capacity.
Lower freeboard may provide easier access to waterline, though various ladder lengths are available to accommodate all freeboard choices.
One of the most common use cases for a lower-profile dock. Our 6" freeboard kits put you closer to the waterline for easier access to kayaks and other floatation.
Low profile docks may allow for easier fish removal, but be sure to choose a freeboard rating with plenty of live load to support your fishermen.
Check each kit's page details for exact live load ratings at each freeboard option.
High-profile vs. low-profile docks
Higher Float Freeboard
- More live load capacity for people and gear
- Sits higher above the water
- Better for busy platforms and entertaining
- Better option for high wake or choppy water
Lower Float Freeboard
- Closer to the water for easy craft entry
- Lower, more "on the water" feel
- Good for light fishing and quiet use
- Often a simpler, lower-profile look
For more on understanding freeboard, visit our Freeboard Explainer Guide.
Design Your Layout
Our consistent, modular designs mean that you can mix and match any of our kits of the same Float Freeboard to create your perfect layout - a simple large platform + walkway, a boat slip, or perhaps a large T-shape for plenty of fishing room. As long as every module shares the same freeboard height, they can combine cleanly.
Example Kits
Simply mix and match to get your ideal layout, all at consistent freeboard levels.
Example Builds
Can I combine kits into a custom shape?
Yes! With the Dock Shop Connection Kits, each DIY Kit can be easily attached to its neighbor. Additionally, our modularized kits allow you to break up longer runs (like a walkway) into shorter sections, making them easier to handle and allowing each section to adjust to water-level changes independently.
Not exactly sure what you want? Send us a sketch and we'll confirm your layout combines cleanly before you order.
How many connection kits do I need?
Each point at which two dock modules meet will require one connection kit. You may also require an additional kit for anchoring to the shoreline, depending on your plan.
The Dock Shop provides both Standard Connection Kits for flexible placement of connection points, as well as customized Corner Connectors for streamlined build options.
Not sure of the best approach? Feel free to reach out to our team for free support.
Anchoring
Anchoring is two decisions: how your walkway attaches to shore, and how your platform stays in place on the water. Both are worth thinking through before you order.
Dropped/chained anchors vs. driven piles
Dropped / Chained Anchors
- Concrete blocks or boat anchors, chained in a criss-cross pattern
- Best for soft or uneven bottoms
- Easier to release/reset seasonally
- Must be tightened or loosened with water level fluctuations. Best paired with chain retainers.
Driven Piles
- Steel pipe driven into the lakebed at each corner
- Best for firm bottoms
- More rigid / permanent
- Shifts automatically with water level fluctuations
Bottom composition and whether the dock needs to come out seasonally should be top considerations. Not sure? Give us a call and we can talk it through.
How does my site affect the decision?
Soft mud/silt favors chained anchors; firm sand/clay can usually hold a driven pile.
Deeper water generally means longer pipe (piles) or more chain/rope (dropped anchors).
If the dock needs to come out for winter, dropped/chained anchors are easier to release and reset.
What's included
Kits include the floats and structural hardware. Connection kits, decking, and framing lumber are sourced separately.
Included in your kit
- High quality Eagle Float dock floats, pre-selected for kit size
- All structural hardware including corners and joists, 1/4" galvanized steel
- Custom dock float attachment hardware for maximum hold
- Structural hardware fasteners
Not Included
- Connection Kits (sold separately)
- Framing Lumber (source locally)
- Decking:
- Composite options like SunWalk Decking
- Standard 5/4 Lumber Decking (source locally)
Where do I get my lumber?
You'll receive a pre-cut lumber list sized exactly to your kit. Take it to a local lumber yard, Home Depot, or Lowe's to source your framing and decking material (if not opting for a composite decking solution).
See These Docks In Action
Hundreds of happy customers - real kits, real waterfronts.
Need Help Deciding?
Shop kits by size and freeboard, or reach out to our Live, US-Based team for free support.