What is the marina design-build process? In design-build, one team designs and builds the marina under a single contract with the owner. The work runs in order from site investigation and slip layout, through engineering and permitting, to manufacturing, installation and long-term care. Owners choose it to reduce project costs and meet tight deadlines.
Why owners choose design-build
A single contract between the owner and the design-build team turns the relationship into an alliance. Engineers, construction managers, manufacturers and consultants work as one group, so the owner sees more design options early and can make informed decisions about value. Read more about Bellingham Marine’s design/build service.
Step 1: Site investigation and planning
Every marina starts with the site. Water depth, wave climate, boat sizes and budget decide which dock system gives the best value. There is no one-size-fits-all marina.
Step 2: Slip layout and financial analysis
Pre-construction work includes slip layout optimization, preliminary structural calculations and a financial proforma analysis. Together they show what the marina can hold and how the project performs as a business before detailed design starts.
Step 3: Permitting
Permitting is often the longest step in a marina project. Starting it early, alongside layouts and preliminary calculations, protects the schedule.
Step 4: Engineering and dock system selection
The team chooses the systems that fit the site: concrete floating docks for a long service life, Unideck frame docks in steel, aluminum or timber for protected and fresh water, and floating wave attenuators where the basin needs wave protection.
Step 5: Manufacturing
Bellingham Marine manufactures its floating dock systems in its own plants. In a design-build project this means design, supply and installation come from one team.
Step 6: Installation
Crews install the docks, gangways, utilities and wave protection. Bellingham Marine crews are multi-disciplined and cover electrical and plumbing work as well as the docks. Expansions and rebuilds can be built in phases so the marina keeps operating.
Step 7: Handover and after-market care
Support continues after the boats move in. After-market care covers repair work, custom maintenance programs, condition surveys and phased retrofits.
Frequently asked questions
What does design-build mean for a marina project?
Design-build means one team is responsible for both the design and the construction of the marina under a single contract with the owner.
Is design-build faster than hiring a designer and a contractor separately?
It is the best option for owners who need to reduce project costs and meet tight deadlines, because design and construction are coordinated by one team from the start.
What is included in marina pre-construction?
Pre-construction services may include slip layout optimization, preliminary structural calculations, financial proforma analysis, permitting services, and site investigation and planning.
How long does it take to build a marina?
It depends on the size of the marina, the site and the permits required. Permitting is often the longest step, and larger projects are often built in phases.
Can a marina be rebuilt in phases?
Yes. Aging docks can be replaced in phases to spread the work, as was done for the Alamitos Bay Marina rebuild in Long Beach, California.
Planning a new marina, an expansion or a rebuild? See our marina construction services or contact our team.
