A bulkhead is a vertical shoreline structure that protects your property from erosion and prevents soil washout. In coastal and lakefront areas where waves, currents, and water level changes constantly impact the shoreline, a reliable bulkhead becomes essential for preserving your property and protecting your real estate investment.
Shore Protect Team LLC builds, repairs, and replaces bulkheads using various materials: treated lumber, vinyl, metal, and concrete. We work with freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, considering the characteristics of each water body — from calm lakes to active tidal zones and open shoreline areas.
Our 20+ years of experience in marine construction allows us to properly assess soil type, water level, wave load, and select the optimal solution for your property. We install drainage systems, tie-back anchors, and use modern pile driving technology for maximum strength and durability. Each project is completed in compliance with building codes and safety requirements.
We work with both private homeowners on lakefront and coastal properties, as well as commercial projects — marinas, resorts, and residential complexes. We provide free consultation and develop custom projects based on your shoreline characteristics.
labor and materials
Optimal balance of price and quality. Made from pressure-treated lumber of the highest quality. Service life - 40-50 years
labor and materials
Durable, requires no additional maintenance. Modern solution with long service life for residential and commercial properties
labor and materials
Exceptional durability of reinforced concrete. Best choice for commercial properties on the Gulf Coast and areas with hurricanes
labor and materials
Natural stone and large boulders provide reliable energy absorption and create a natural appearance while protecting the shore from erosion
labor and materials
Gabions with stone fill provide reliable shore protection with natural drainage and construction flexibility
labor and materials
Professional repair of existing structures, anchor replacement, and restoration of damaged sections of existing structures
Explore our portfolio of completed work, which shows why waterfront property owners trust us. Featured here are projects for bulkhead construction and shoreline protection structures using vinyl, wood, steel, concrete, and gabions. Our completed projects include both complete replacement of waterfront structures and restoration work of varying complexity. As a professional shoreline protection team, we create reliable, beautiful, and practical solutions for every waterfront property. Whether you need construction cost estimate, repair of existing structures, or price calculation per foot for a new structure - our completed projects demonstrate the level of craftsmanship that ensures protection and increases waterfront property value in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Wood bulkheads: From $150 per linear foot. Optimal cost-to-quality ratio. Made from high-quality treated lumber. Service life of 40-50 years.
Vinyl bulkheads: From $200 per linear foot. Durable, require no additional maintenance. Modern solution with long service life for all types of water bodies.
Concrete bulkheads: From $300 per linear foot. Exceptional durability of reinforced concrete. Best choice for Gulf Coast waterfront areas and hurricane zones.
Rock shoreline stabilization: From $150 per linear foot. Natural stones and large boulders absorb wave energy and naturally protect the shore from erosion.
Gabion bulkheads: From $200 per linear foot. Gabions with rock fill provide reliable shoreline protection with natural drainage and structural flexibility.
Wood bulkheads: Optimal for freshwater lakes and rivers with calm water. Cost-effective upfront, 40-50 year service life with proper maintenance.
Vinyl bulkheads: Suitable for all types of water bodies where durability without frequent maintenance is important. Resistant to moisture, sun, and require no additional care.
Concrete bulkheads: Ideal for Gulf Coast waterfront areas and hurricane zones. Exceptional strength of reinforced concrete withstands extreme weather conditions.
Rock stabilization: Essential for areas with aggressive waves and active erosion. Blends naturally into the landscape, requires no maintenance.
Gabion bulkheads: Effective for shorelines with natural drainage. Flexible structure with rock fill provides reliable protection.
Material selection: Wood from $150/ft, vinyl from $200/ft, concrete from $300/ft. Each material has its own service life and maintenance requirements.
Type of water body: Calm lakes require less massive structures. Tidal zones and open shoreline areas with wave action require reinforced solutions.
Soil characteristics: Soil type determines pile driving depth and need for additional reinforcement. Soft soils require deeper piles.
Structure length: Bulkhead length directly affects material quantity and scope of work.
Drainage systems: Drainage installation prevents groundwater pressure on the structure and extends service life.
Tie-back anchors: Necessary to prevent structure displacement under soil pressure. Quantity depends on bulkhead height and soil type.
Site accessibility: Difficult terrain or limited equipment access increases labor costs by 20-40%.
New construction vs repair: Repairing an existing bulkhead typically costs 40-60% less than complete replacement.
Shore Protect Team LLC specializes in bulkhead construction across six U.S. states.
Texas: Houston, Galveston Bay, Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, Lake Livingston, Clear Lake, Katy, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Pearland, Baytown, Cedar Creek Lake, Trinity River, San Jacinto River and other waterfront and lake areas in Greater Houston Area. Gulf Coast waterfront areas — Galveston Island, Freeport, Port Aransas.
Louisiana: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Pontchartrain, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Gulf Coast waterfront areas. We work with tidal zones and river communities.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lake Texoma, Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, Lake Eufaula and other lake communities. Specializing in freshwater lakes.
Arkansas: Little Rock, Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs and river areas. We work with regional lakes and rivers.
Mississippi: Biloxi, Gulfport, Jackson and Gulf Coast waterfront areas. Experience working in hurricane-prone zones.
Alabama: Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa. Lake areas — Lake Martin, Guntersville Lake, Smith Lake. Coastal cities — Mobile Bay, Daphne, Fairhope, Orange Beach.
Our service extends to Gulf of Mexico waterfront communities, inland lakes, rivers and bays. We work with both private homeowners and commercial properties — marinas, resorts and residential complexes.
If damage is limited to individual components, targeted repairs may be enough. If it affects the main structure, replacement may be necessary. To determine the right approach, we assess the wall, pilings, anchors, and soil behind it. Photos can help us discuss the problem initially, while an on-site inspection allows us to determine the full scope of work.
A leaning or shifting wall, damaged components, gaps where soil is washing out, and holes or sinking ground along the shoreline are reasons to schedule an inspection. This is especially true if the damage appeared recently or is getting worse. Send photos of the shoreline and damaged areas from several angles. They can help with an initial assessment, but an on-site inspection is needed to evaluate the entire structure and determine how urgently repairs are needed.
The starting prices listed on this page include labor and materials. The cost for your property depends on the selected structure, shoreline conditions, equipment access, and scope of work. Removing the old wall, hauling away debris, installing anchors and drainage, backfilling, and restoring the work area may involve additional costs. Your project estimate specifies the full scope of work and pricing.
Permit and approval requirements depend on your property's location and the type of work. The property owner is responsible for checking requirements, preparing and submitting documents, and obtaining the necessary approvals. We do not provide permit application services. If your project requires permits, you must obtain them before construction begins.
A project can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. This includes assessing the property, preparing and approving the estimate, obtaining any required permits, and completing construction. Construction time depends on the structure's length and type, demolition needs, and shoreline access. Weather and water conditions can also affect the schedule. A timeline for your property is determined after the scope of work has been assessed.
We can determine this after assessing access to your property. Send photos of the route to the water and provide its width. Let us know about gates, stairs, elevation changes, trees, or buildings along the way. This information helps us determine whether equipment and materials can reach the work area and how access restrictions may affect the cost.
Not always. It depends on the location of the dock or deck, how it connects to the bulkhead, and access to the work area. An inspection will help determine which components can stay, which need to be temporarily removed, and which require replacement. If removal and restoration are necessary, the scope and cost will be included in the estimate.
Space will be needed for equipment, materials, and work along the shoreline. Whether your lawn, walkways, and landscaping can be preserved depends on their location and the construction method. Let us know in advance where underground utilities and sprinkler lines are located and which features you want to preserve. The equipment route, work area, and scope of property restoration are agreed on with you before construction begins and documented in the contract.
A bulkhead holds soil in place and protects the shoreline from erosion. If the ground behind an existing wall is already sinking, the cause needs to be identified first. The problem may involve the structure, joints, or drainage. Simply filling holes does not always address the cause of the settlement. An inspection helps determine what work is needed on the wall and the soil behind it.
A bulkhead retains soil and protects the shoreline from erosion, but it does not guarantee protection from storm flooding. Water can rise above the top of the wall. If your property has flooded before, tell us about the conditions and how high the water reached. This helps us assess your needs and what a bulkhead can do for your property.
Warranty terms and duration are specified in your project contract. The contractor's warranty covers the work identified in the contract, while the manufacturer's material warranty is subject to the manufacturer's terms. Coverage, exclusions, maintenance requirements, and the claim process are governed by the applicable warranty terms.
Send your property address, the approximate length of the shoreline, and photos showing the overall area. Include close-up photos of any damage. Let us know whether you need a new bulkhead, repairs, or replacement of an existing wall, and show the access route to the water. Include photos of nearby docks, decks, and other structures. We can then discuss your project and determine what additional information or on-site inspection is needed to prepare an estimate.
