A structural assessment from someone who builds the structures — not someone who walks past them.
Marine structural analysis for docks, seawalls, and waterfront structures in Indian River County. Written reports for insurance, permitting, and pre-purchase evaluation.
21
Years on the lagoon
100%
Self-performed
25-yr
Typical design life
8
Private communities
Realestatetransactionsinvolvingwaterfrontpropertiesoftenrequireadockorseawallstructuralreportbeforeclosing.Insurancecarriersmayrequirepost-stormstructuraldocumentationbeforecoveragerenewal.
FDEP-permitted
Every project runs the full FDEP, USACE, and Indian River County permit pack — filed, tracked, and closed by us.
Engineered to ASCE 7
Stamped structural design against the lagoon's tide, surge, and salt — not a generic catalog spec.
Self-performed
One licensed Florida marine contractor (RG291103858), one accountable crew — no subcontractor hand-offs.
Structural Analysis on the Indian River Lagoon.
When is a structural assessment required — and why does the source matter.
Real estate transactions involving waterfront properties often require a dock or seawall structural report before closing. Insurance carriers may require post-storm structural documentation before coverage renewal. FDEP permit applications for repair or replacement may require a pre-existing condition assessment to establish the baseline.
How we conduct structural assessments.
Assessment begins on-site with Keith. We evaluate above-waterline structural condition (deck, framing, cap, panels) using direct inspection and load testing where applicable. Below-waterline assessment is conducted via diver inspection for structures where submerged element condition is the unknown.
The Indian River Lagoon — what it changes about structural assessment.
Indian River Lagoon's brackish water and tidal conditions accelerate corrosion of steel fasteners, galvanized connectors, and concrete reinforcement at a rate that freshwater environments do not. Below-waterline pile condition — not visible from the deck — is the most common unknown in residential dock assessments. Seawall tieback rod condition is the most common unknown in residential seawall assessments.
3 phases, in order.
01Site assessmentHalf-day to full day depending on structure size | 02Report preparation3–7 business days | 03Below-waterline diver inspection (if included)Add 1 day |
What the report covers.
Standard structural assessment reports include: above-waterline visual inspection with photographic documentation, structural observations for each element (deck, framing, cap, pilings, panels, tiebacks), repair scope recommendation with priority ranking, estimated remaining service life, and permit pathway analysis for recommended repairs. Below-waterline diver inspection is available as an add-on. Full written engineering reports with stamped structural analysis are available for insurance, permitting, and legal documentation purposes.
Structural analysis in Vero Beach runs $1,500–$6,500 depending on structure size and report requirements. A standard dock assessment (up to 60 feet) runs $2,000–$3,500. Seawall assessment (up to 100 linear feet, including tieback evaluation) runs $2,500–$4,500. Full written engineering report for insurance or resale runs $3,500–$6,500. Diver inspection of below-waterline elements adds $800–$1,500.
Structural analysis reports are point-in-time assessments. They reflect the condition observed on the date of inspection. Reports are not structural warranties — they are professional condition documentation.
Frequently asked questions.
Let's start with a walk of the property.
Site visits with Keith are by appointment — a one-hour walk of the waterfront, then a written estimate within ten business days.