Replace a St. Simons Island bulkhead when it's failed through, leaning beyond anchoring, or rotted along its length. Which state law governs the new wall depends on whether you're on the marsh side or the beach.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides bulkhead replacement in St. Simons Island, GA for marsh-front, riverfront and beach-adjacent homeowners, HOAs, and commercial owners. Typical projects include replacing rotted timber bulkheads on tidal creeks, rebuilding walls along the Frederica River, and upgrading storm-damaged walls near St. Simons Sound. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
If your wall can be saved, we'll say so. See bulkhead repair on St. Simons Island.
This is the first question on St. Simons, because the island falls under two different state laws:
In short, a vertical wall on a marsh creek follows a different path than work on the beach. On the beach, a new vertical wall may not be approvable at all.
| Material | Typical life* | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl sheet pile | 40–50+ yrs | Most residential marsh and creek walls | Needs a strong cap and tiebacks |
| Composite sheet pile | 50+ yrs | Low upkeep, long life | Costs more to buy |
| Concrete | 30–50 yrs | Tying into existing concrete | Heavy on soft soil |
| Steel sheet pile | 25–40 yrs in salt water | High loads | Needs corrosion protection |
| Treated timber | 15–25 yrs | Matching older island walls | Rot and borers |
*Life varies with exposure, installation and upkeep.
For most island homes on the marsh side, we recommend vinyl or composite sheet pile with a concrete cap.
Irma set a new mark here. The National Weather Service recorded a surge of 6.9 feet above mean high tide at St. Simons Pier on September 11, 2017, beating Matthew's 6.2 feet from the year before (GovTech). No practical residential bulkhead stops every surge. But a replacement is the one time you can set the cap height, so we work it out with your surveyor and match it to your neighbors' walls.
Full replacement on St. Simons Island typically runs $250–$600 per linear foot. A 75-foot residential vinyl sheet pile replacement generally costs $20,000–$45,000. Access across the causeway, water access, height and embedment all affect the final price.
Rebuilding a dock too? See marine construction on St. Simons Island. Our St. Simons Island seawall repair page lists every island service, and our repair vs. replacement guide can help you decide. We also replace bulkheads in Savannah.
Georgia's Shore Protection Act allows beach stabilization only when there's no reasonable alternative, and it favors sloped porous rock over vertical walls. Expect a hard review.
A Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division permit, since the state requires one for any bulkhead on a tidally influenced bank. Glynn County permits apply too.
You can, but vinyl or composite usually lasts much longer. We can match the look at the cap and plan clean tie-ins at the property lines.
No. Construction usually takes 1–3 weeks. Engineering and permits take longer than the build.
Licensed, insured, NCFI-certified. Serving Florida, Georgia & South Carolina since 1996.
866-398-9323