The Pier you can see directly behind the damaged pier was built by LSI. No damage, no missing boards, still intact and ready to go fishing from… Should we mention it’s also about 5 years older?

Still unsure whether spending a little more now will pay off in the long term? Please check out these Customer Testimonials and read these Guidelines for Selecting a Marine Contractor. Interested in talking to one of our past clients or looking at some of the piers or bulkheads we built in your neighborhood? Just give us a call at 252-491-8562 or Email at info@lynsmall.com and we will provide you with an extensive reference list.

There are so many ways that contractors can cut corners by using cheaper materials, like non-galvanized hardware, non-treated lumber, shorter pilings and by building less than what’s necessary for a strong marine structure. A small return not added to a bulkhead may result in a catastrophic damage to your waterfront property.  Please read our recommendations on how to select a contractor for your dock, pier, or bulkhead project. Make an informed decision on your investment. 

Each of the local municipalities from Duck to Manteo has enacted some form of emergency permits to allow for rebuilding after the hurricane. You can check with your own Town through their web site for permit applications or more specific information. As always, LSI Marine Construction can obtain CAMA and local permits on your behalf.

Useful Links:

NC DENR, Div of Coastal Management Emergency Building permits 
CAMA Lines, a blog on Coastal Studies, Coastal Reserve sites and more
Dare County Hurricane Irene Recovery updates, including re-entry information
Currituck County Hurricane Irene Recovery updates, including re-entry information
Town of Duck Building permit
Town of Kitty Hawk Planning and Inspections
Town of Kill Devil Hills Planning and Inspections
Town of Nags Head Planning and Development
Town of Manteo Permits, Forms, and Applications

• Ask your neighbors if there’s a marine contractor they can recommend.
• If neighbors do recommend a contractor who completed a project for them, check whether their bulkhead, boat lift, or dock is at least 4-5 years old
• Get quotes from at least 3 different contractors who specialize in marine construction (vs. general construction contractors)
• Request that contractors provide the material breakdown with their bid, to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples”
• Ask how long the contractors have been building marine structures on the Outer Banks, whether they provide any written structural warranties for their products, and make sure to check references (contractor who does quality marine construction work will often be willing to show you several projects completed right in your neighborhood; ask to see some of the older projects completed)
• If you get a quote that is substantially lower than the other bids, we suggest that you exclude the contractor right away. Most likely, the contractor is going to use low quaility materials and short pilings, and although the completed project will look similar to those completed by other contractors, you will find yourself replacing rotten pilings and repairing failed bulkheads a few years down the road.

Marine Construction projects are substantial investments, and, as with any long-term investment, it’s important to do research. We, at LSI Marine Construction, are often hired to repair or replace docks and bulkheads that weren’t built right the first time. Remember, your Home insurance policy doesn’t cover the waterfront structures.  The little extra money you may decide to spend today will result in big savings a few years from now when your bulkhead is still there after a major Outer Banks Hurricane (in over 20 years of doing business on the Outer Banks, we have not lost a bulkhead to a hurricane).

Outer Banks Seawalls

 What is a seawall? Seawall is a wall constructed out of vinyl, wood, concrete, steel, fiberglass component, or some other strong material. Seawall serves as a shoreline protection from flooding and erosion and keeps the shore (backfill) from washing away. When buying a waterfront property in places such as the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it is very important to have a professional marine construction contractor inspect the seawall (also known as bulkhead). Failed seawalls can be very costly to replace, and poorly built and designed bulkheads may need expensive repairs or replacement. Why hire a marine builder to inspect a seawall prior to purchasing a property? Just like a house inspection is a must prior to any offer, a $200-$400 bulkhead inspection will help you save thousands of dollars and can be a valuable tool when negotiating on a house. With the high value of land on the Outer Banks, seawalls are essential in protecting a waterfront investment. Visual inspection from land is certainly not sufficient in determining the bulkhead condition as bulkhead may be structurally weak and may fail in severe weather conditions. A severe storm or strong waves can destroy a cheaply built bulkhead and leave homeowner completely unprepared for high costs of bulkhead replacement not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Ready to buy a house on the Outer Banks? Give LSI Marine Construction a call at 252-491-8562 to have a marine structure inspected.

We, at LSI Marine Construction, take pride in our bulkhead craftsmanship. Our bulkheads come with a 20-year structural warranty, and we have not lost a bulkhead to a hurricane in over 20 years of operating the marine construction business. Call us today at 252-491-8562 for a free bulkhead estimate.