If a dock, boat lift, or patio near the water in Sarasota is sinking, the lasting fix is to carry its weight down to firm soil with helical piers or to fill the voids that washed out beneath it.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine foundation repair in Sarasota, FL for waterfront homeowners, HOAs, and marina owners. Typical projects include helical piers under settling docks on Bird Key canals, re-leveling boat lifts that shifted in the 2024 storms, and foam lifting of sunken pool decks along Siesta Key seawalls. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
Almost every case comes down to soft ground that can't carry the load, or ground that's leaving through the wall.
Much of Sarasota's waterfront was manufactured. Bird Key, for example, was expanded starting in 1959 when Arvida dredged submerged bay bottom and piled it up as new land. That kind of fill has three habits:
Storm surge adds to the problem. When Helene and Milton pushed water over walls in 2024, the fill behind many of them was soaked and then drained fast, which can leave voids under decks and walkways.
We screw steel shafts with helix plates down until they bear on soil that can hold the structure, confirming capacity by the torque it takes to turn them. Then we bracket them to the dock, deck, or slab and lift it back toward level. Details on helical pier installation. For Sarasota-specific pile work, see our helical piles installation in Sarasota page.
Expanding polyurethane fills the pockets under a pool deck or patio and can raise the slab without demolition.
Pilings weakened by borers, rot, or storm impact can be wrapped, jacketed, or supplemented with new support.
If soil is escaping through the wall, fixing the deck alone won't last. We pair foundation work with bulkhead repair in Sarasota so the ground stops moving.
Plan on about $700–$2,000 for each helical pier and $8–$25 per board foot of void fill. Most residential marine foundation repairs in Sarasota land between $5,000 and $25,000, driven by pier count, depth to firm soil, and access.
In unincorporated Sarasota County, dock and lift work is permitted under the Water and Navigation Control Authority code. The county describes three levels (Sarasota County EPD):
| Permit | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| General Permit | Repairing or replacing existing permitted structures; adding a lift at an existing dock |
| Minor Work Permit | New docks and changes to existing docks |
| Major Work Permit | Anything that doesn't meet the General or Minor standards |
Inside City of Sarasota limits, the city's own building permit process applies. We aim to keep foundation repairs inside your existing footprint so the paperwork stays at the simplest level. For full rebuilds, see marine construction in Sarasota.
We also do this work in Bradenton and Cape Coral. More local services are on our Sarasota seawall repair page.
Not always. If the pilings are sound but have shifted or settled, we can add support and re-level the lift. Damaged pilings can be replaced one at a time.
Usually because the fill under it is settling or washing out through the wall. We check both, since fixing only the deck won't hold.
Often a General Permit covers repair of an existing permitted structure. We confirm the right level before starting.
Often. Foam injection or piers can raise it back toward its original grade, and the pavers can usually be reused.
Licensed, insured, NCFI-certified. Serving Florida, Georgia & South Carolina since 1996.
866-398-9323