Do you build the dock yourself?

No. We are your permitting and project management partner. The actual construction is done by dock builders we know, have vetted, and have worked alongside on dozens of projects across the Tennessee River system.

Do I pay you for the construction?

No. You contract and pay the builder directly, so pricing stays transparent and there is no markup buried in the middle. We are paid for permitting and project management only.

How do you choose which builder to recommend?

By lake, by project type, and by what your permit actually allows. Some builders are excellent at heavy fixed structures, others at floating systems or rip rap. We match the build to the crew that does that work well and has current availability.

Can I use my own builder?

Absolutely. If you already have a contractor you trust, we handle the permit and coordinate with them so their drawings and build schedule line up with what TVA approved.

How long does it take from the first call to a finished dock?

Permitting typically runs 60 to 100 days depending on the reservoir and the complexity of the project, and construction usually follows in a matter of weeks once materials are staged. We give you a realistic calendar on the first call rather than an optimistic one.

What does project management cost?

It depends on the scope of the build and how much coordination you want us to carry. We quote it upfront, in writing, before any work starts — no hourly surprises.

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Covered wooden boat dock on a Tennessee lake at golden hour

Project Management & Dock Construction

Building Your Perfect Dock — Made Simple

You have been picturing this dock for years. But between choosing the right builder, understanding what TVA will and will not allow, managing timelines, and staying on budget, it can feel like a second job before a single board is nailed down. That is exactly where we come in.

Project Management

Your Dock Project Manager, Start to Finish

We handle the coordination from the first phone call to the final board — vetting and connecting you with trusted dock builders, overseeing the construction timeline, and making sure every detail lines up with your TVA permit requirements. No surprises. No delays you did not see coming. Just your dock, built right.

We focus on the permit and the shoreline construction process, giving you ONE point of contact from start to finish. You contract directly with the shoreline contractor, keeping construction pricing transparent, while we manage the permit, coordinate the construction process, and keep everything moving smoothly by building on the trusted relationship we've already established with you.

Janson Furrow personally manages the projects we take on, drawing on years spent inside the dock construction industry to provide the communication, guidance, and transparency homeowners deserve throughout the process.

Dock under construction with framed roof trusses over the water

Why It Stalls

Shoreline Construction Simplified

Dock pilings and rip rap shoreline during construction on a TVA reservoir

A shoreline project shouldn't feel like a second job. Not every contractor has the same approach to communication and construction, so we've created our own customer experience — one designed to give you a simpler, more informed process from start to finish. With years of experience in the shoreline construction industry, I know the right questions to ask before you spend a dime, helping you avoid unnecessary surprises and change orders.

We build on the trust already established with our customers, combining transparency and expertise to help manage the construction process from start to finish. Our goal is to take the burden off your shoulders, keep you informed, and give you the confidence to enjoy the process while we handle the details.

Project Types

Three Dock Projects We Manage from Permit to Completion

Whether you are building a fixed dock, a floating dock, or stabilizing your shoreline with rip rap, every project on TVA-managed land starts the same way — with a permit. Choose one to see what is involved.

Covered wooden gable dock on a calm southeastern lake

Fixed DocksPermanent structures, properly permitted and built to last.

Freshly placed rip rap stone stabilizing a lake shoreline bank

Shoreline StabilizationProtect your investment from erosion before it is too late.

Covered floating boat dock with aluminum gangway on a lake

Floating DocksFlexible, functional, and fully TVA compliant.

Permanent structures, properly permitted and built to last.

Fixed Docks

Fixed docks are driven into the lake bed on pilings, which makes them the most stable and the most permanent option — and the most scrutinized on the permitting side. Footprint, slip count, roof coverage, walkway length, and setback from your neighbor's line all have to be right on the drawing before TVA will approve it.

This is where most projects go sideways. A single measurement that does not match the approved plan can stop a crew mid-build. We confirm the numbers before construction starts, not after.

Best for stable water levels and heavy year-round use
Roof, sundeck, and lift options all affect the permitted footprint
Typical timeline: 100–150 days for permitting, 6–12 weeks to build depending on dock size

Stacked rock sea wall holding a lake shoreline in place

Protect your investment from erosion before it is too late.

Shoreline Stabilization

Every season your bank erodes, you lose land, and the problem gets more expensive to fix. Rip rap — graded stone placed along the waterline — and stacked rock sea walls are the two approaches we permit most often, and both are reviewed on the same core details: stone size, slope, and how far the placement extends from the existing bank.

Rip rap absorbs wave energy instead of reflecting it back at the shoreline, which is why it tends to move through review faster. A rock sea wall gives you a firmer, more finished edge where the grade is steep or usable yard is tight. We advise on which fits your shoreline, file it correctly, and bring in crews who have done this work on your reservoir.

Rip rap and rock sea walls both permitted — we advise on the better fit
Often paired with a dock permit in a single application
Best handled before a bank failure, not after

Flexible, functional, and fully TVA compliant.

Floating Docks

Floating docks ride the water level, which makes them a strong fit on reservoirs with significant seasonal drawdown. They are typically faster to install than a fixed structure once the system arrives on site.

Plan for the manufacturing window: floating docks can take 8 to 16 weeks to manufacture, so while they go together quickly, the build schedule is often driven by the factory timeline rather than the crew.

The permitting still matters. Anchoring method, gangway length, and total surface area all get reviewed, and the anchoring detail is the part homeowners most often get wrong on their own applications.

Ideal where water levels swing seasonally
8–16 weeks to manufacture, then fast on-site assembly
Anchoring and gangway details drive the approval

The Process

From First Call to Finished Dock

1
Call and zoning check
We pull your property's TVA zoning from the address and tell you what is actually allowed at your specific location before you spend a dollar on design.
2
Permit filed with TVA
We prepare the drawings and the paperwork, submit the 26a application, and handle the back-and-forth with your TVA Project Lead until it is approved.
3
Builder matched and quoted
We connect you with builders suited to your project and your lake. You review the quotes and contract directly with the one you choose.
4
Construction managed to completion
We oversee the schedule, keep the build aligned with the approved permit, and stay in front of anything that would slow it down.
5
Final walkthrough and closeout
We confirm the finished structure matches what was permitted and close the file out cleanly, so your documentation is airtight for resale.