Custom dock design and installation on Grand Traverse Bay, Long Lake, Lake Leelanau, Elk Lake, and all TC-area waters. Built for bay wave exposure and Michigan winters. Licensed, insured, 20+ years local experience.
Traverse City's waterfront is one of the most active in Michigan — and one of the most varied. Grand Traverse Bay's two arms face northwest winds that roll in off Lake Michigan, creating wave energy that demands heavier dock construction than most inland lakes. Long Lake, Elk Lake, and Lake Leelanau have different bottom profiles, water depths, and permit requirements than the bay. Getting the dock design right starts with understanding which water you're on.
We've been installing docks in the Traverse City area for over 20 years. We've worked on West Bay and East Bay, on the sandy shores of Long Lake, on the rocky mixed bottom of Lake Leelanau, and on the tight lots of Elk Lake's shoreline. We know how Grand Traverse County and the surrounding townships interpret EGLE requirements — and we know how to get permits approved without delays.
Bay docks face a fundamentally different environment than TC inland lake docks. Northwest wind fetch from Lake Michigan can build 2–3 foot wave action on West Bay during fall storms. We spec bay dock hardware, anchoring systems, and framing to handle that load — heavier-gauge hardware, corrosion-resistant fasteners, and anchoring systems that won't migrate under ice pressure or wave stress.
Inland lake installations on Long Lake, Elk Lake, and Lake Leelanau get the same site-specific assessment. We size posts and framing for actual water depth and bottom conditions at your lot — not a generic spec that may not fit.
Local knowledge built over 20 years on TC waters — from West Bay to the inland lakes.
A dock on West Bay needs to be built differently than one on Elk Lake. Bay exposure, bottom type, and permit requirements all vary. We design each dock for its specific site — not a generic spec.
We've navigated EGLE and Grand Traverse County permit requirements hundreds of times. We know exactly what documentation each water body requires — so your permit gets approved without costly delays.
TC spring installation slots book out fast — often by mid-March. Reserve your spot early to guarantee your dock is in the water for Memorial Day weekend, not chasing a spot mid-summer.
We install docks throughout Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, and Benzie counties. If your lake is within reach of Traverse City, call — we're likely there regularly.
Grand Traverse Bay (West & East) • Long Lake • Lake Leelanau • Elk Lake • Torch Lake • Arbutus Lake • Spider Lake • Duck Lake • Boardman Lake • Suttons Bay • Leland
Call (231) 227-8885"We bought a new place on Long Lake and needed a dock installed from scratch. Great Lakes Dock Works came out, assessed the bottom, and recommended a pipe dock with composite decking. Installed in a day and a half. Exactly what we wanted and priced fairly. Highly recommend."
"We have a West Bay property and needed a floating dock system because of our rocky shoreline. Three other companies quoted us pipe docks that would never have worked. Great Lakes Dock Works actually walked our shoreline first and recommended floating — it's been perfect for three seasons."
Yes. Permanent structures on Grand Traverse Bay require an EGLE permit and often approval from Grand Traverse County or your specific township. Seasonal/removable docks typically don't require a permit, but there are exceptions — we clarify exactly what applies to your shoreline and water body before any work starts.
Bay shorelines — especially on West Bay with northwest exposure — often need floating dock systems or reinforced pipe docks with heavy anchoring due to wave action. TC inland lakes (Long Lake, Elk Lake, Arbutus Lake) typically have sandy bottoms perfect for standard pipe systems. We walk your specific site before making any recommendation.
TC spring installation slots typically fill by mid-March. If you want your dock in the water for Memorial Day, call in February or early March. We also take fall installations for homeowners who want to avoid the spring rush and be ready for the following season.
A 30-foot pipe dock on a TC inland lake typically runs $2,800–$4,500 installed. Bay dock installations with heavier hardware and reinforced anchoring start around $4,000–$7,500. Floating systems for rocky bay sites start around $6,000. We provide detailed written quotes before any work begins — no surprise charges.
Spring slots fill fast — especially in the TC area. Call now or request an estimate and we'll respond within 1 business day.
Call (231) 227-8885 — Free EstimateTell us about your project and we'll respond within 1 business day. Or call (231) 227-8885.
