FAQs

Hastings Marine Construction is a full-service marine contractor serving Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Founded in 1980, we specialize in docks, piers, bulkheads, rip-rap shoreline protection, living shorelines, and boat lift installation. With over 45 years of experience, we are known for high-quality craftsmanship and in-house permitting expertise.

We serve all of Delmarva, including Sussex County, Delaware and surrounding areas such as Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach, Millsboro, and Seaford, Maryland’s Eastern Shore including Salisbury, Cambridge, Easton, and Ocean City, and Eastern Shore Virginia including Chincoteague, Onancock, Accomack County, and Northampton County. We work on both coastal and inland waterfront properties.

A marine contractor designs and builds structures in and around water, including docks, piers, bulkheads, shoreline stabilization systems, and boat lifts. This work requires specialized equipment and knowledge of tides, soils, and environmental regulations.

Marine construction is a specialized field that requires experience, equipment, and compliance standards that go far beyond typical land-based work. Hiring a qualified marine contractor ensures your project is built safely, legally, and to last in a harsh waterfront environment.

Key reasons to hire a marine contractor:

1. Specialized experience in marine environments
Marine contractors understand tides, wave energy, soil conditions, and shoreline dynamics. Structures built in or near water must account for erosion, hydrostatic pressure, and changing water levels—factors that landscapers or carpenters are not trained to handle.

2. Proper permitting and regulatory knowledge
Waterfront construction is heavily regulated. Marine contractors are experienced in working with agencies like the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Maryland Department of the Environment, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure projects are compliant and approved before construction begins.

3. Industry-specific insurance coverage
Marine contractors carry specialized insurance policies designed for over-water work, including marine liability and coverage for work performed from barges and in navigable waters. Standard contractor insurance often excludes these risks, leaving property owners exposed.

4. Proper equipment and access capabilities
Marine construction requires barges, pile-driving equipment, shallow-draft vessels, and other specialized tools to safely access and build in waterfront conditions. Landscapers and carpenters typically do not have access to this equipment.

5. Use of marine-grade materials and construction methods
Marine contractors use materials specifically designed for long-term exposure to water, including marine pressure-treated lumber, vinyl sheet piling, stainless steel fasteners, and corrosion-resistant hardware. Proper installation techniques are critical to prevent premature failure.

6. Structural integrity and longevity
Docks, bulkheads, and shoreline structures must be built to withstand constant environmental stress. Improper construction can lead to failure, costly repairs, or complete replacement.

7. Reduced liability and risk
Hiring an experienced marine contractor reduces the risk of code violations, failed inspections, environmental damage, and unsafe structures. It also ensures the project meets all applicable safety and regulatory standards.

Bottom line:
Marine construction is not interchangeable with general construction. Hiring a qualified marine contractor protects your investment, ensures compliance, and delivers a structure built to perform in a demanding waterfront environment.

We provide dock and pier construction, bulkhead installation, rip-rap shoreline stabilization, living shorelines, floating docks, boat lift installation, and marine construction permitting services.

Dock construction typically ranges from $350 to $650 per linear foot depending on water depth, soil type, materials, site access, and permitting requirements. Custom designs or additional features may increase costs.

Bulkhead installation generally ranges from $550 to $1,200 per linear foot depending on height, soil conditions, tie-back requirements, and access for construction equipment. 

Bulkhead construction can be misleading to price because a large portion of the structure is installed below ground and underwater, where it cannot be seen after installation. The long-term strength of a bulkhead depends on what’s beneath the surface, including the depth of the sheeting, the embedment of the piling, and the strength of the tie-back system.

1. Most of the structure is hidden. The strength of a bulkhead relies on critical components below grade, including piling embedment depth, tie-back systems, and sheet length below the mudline, all of which are not visible after construction but determine whether the wall lasts 5 years or 30+ years.

2. Shorter materials reduce cost but increase risk. Lower quotes often result from using shorter vinyl sheets or timber, insufficient piling embedment, or reduced tie-back length and spacing, which lowers upfront cost but significantly weakens the structure and shortens its lifespan.

3. Tie-back system shortcuts are common. A properly built bulkhead requires adequate deadmen piles and correctly spaced and sized tie rods, and reducing these elements is one of the most common ways to cut cost while also increasing the likelihood of failure.

4. Installation methods matter. Even when similar materials are used, improper installation such as not driving piles to refusal, poor alignment, or inadequate backfilling can lead to structural issues, and lower bids often reflect reduced labor time or less experienced crews.

5. Repairs cost more than doing it right the first time. A failing bulkhead often requires full replacement, emergency stabilization, and additional permitting, making the long-term cost far greater than the initial savings of a low bid.

In short, if a bulkhead quote is much cheaper, it is often because less material and less structural support are being installed where you cannot see it, making it critical to understand exactly what is included before making a decision.

In some cases, yes. Living shorelines can reduce long-term maintenance costs and may be preferred by regulatory agencies. However, they are not suitable for every site and must be designed based on site conditions.

Yes. Most dock and marine construction projects require approval from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to ensure environmental and regulatory compliance.

Permitting typically can take between 3 to 12 months depending on the complexity of the project and agency review timelines. 

Yes. Projects in Maryland often require approvals from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, depending on the scope of work.

Yes. We manage the full permitting process, including preparing plans, completing applications, and coordinating with regulatory agencies.

Most dock projects take between 2 to 5 days for smaller builds and up to 1 to 2 weeks for larger or more complex projects. Weather, tides, and site access can affect timelines.

Driven to refusal means pilings are installed into the ground until they reach a stable load-bearing layer, ensuring the structure is secure and long-lasting.

Common long-lasting materials include marine pressure-treated lumber (CCA), vinyl sheet piling, composite or PVC decking, and hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners.

The best solution depends on site conditions. Common methods include rip-rap revetments, vinyl bulkheads, and living shorelines. Each project should be designed based on wave energy, soil conditions, and environmental regulations.

Yes. We specialize in shallow water and limited access sites using barges and specialized equipment designed for challenging conditions.

We offer over 45 years of experience, in-house permitting expertise, high-quality materials, and a strong reputation for delivering durable marine construction projects across Delmarva.

Yes. We maintain all required licenses and insurance for marine construction projects in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

Yes. We provide detailed estimates outlining the scope of work, materials, timeline, and pricing for each project.

Contact our team to schedule a site visit. We will evaluate your property, provide a detailed proposal, handle permitting if required, and schedule construction.