Free checklist for sellers
Get your shoreline ready before buyers look
Buyers and their inspectors look hard at the bulkhead, dock and boat lift. A problem found late can stall a sale or turn into a big price cut. Walk the shoreline first, gather your paperwork, and deal with surprises before they show up in an inspection report.
One page, free to print. Listing agents are welcome to share it with their sellers.
Gather the paperwork
Buyers will ask, and having the answers ready makes your home easier to sell.
- Permits for the pier, boat lift and bulkhead. Most structures in tidal water go through a Joint Permit Application, and many localities also issue a building permit.
- When each was built or last repaired, and which contractor did the work.
- Contractor invoices and warranties, especially for a newer bulkhead or lift.
- A survey or plat showing the structures, if you have one.
See do I need a permit for a dock or pier in Virginia and our guide to waterfront permits.
Walk the bulkhead
Look at it the way a buyer’s inspector will.
- Sinkholes or soft spots in the yard behind the wall, which usually mean soil is washing out.
- Bowing or leaning toward the water, or a cracked or tilted cap.
- Gaps between boards or panels, or soil and sand on the water side.
In salt or brackish water, pressure treated wood typically lasts about 15 to 25 years and vinyl sheets 50 years or more. If your wall is near the end of its life, buyers will price that in. See how long a bulkhead lasts and what a bulkhead costs.
Dock, pier and boat lift
- Replace soft or loose boards, and tighten or replace rusted hardware. Small fixes like these are inexpensive and make a big first impression.
- Have the boat lift serviced: motor, cables and switch. A lift that runs smoothly at a showing reassures buyers.
- Clear old lines, crab pots and clutter so the dock photographs well. For many buyers, the dock is the photo that sells the house.
For repair and replacement prices, see what a dock or pier costs and boat lift costs and options.
Storm history and disclosure
- Keep records of storm damage, repairs and any insurance claims, including who did the work and when.
- Don’t cover up known problems. Ask your agent or a real estate attorney what you are required to disclose. A problem the buyer finds on their own is usually worse for a sale than one you mention up front.
Our hurricane and storm damage guide shows what storm damage looks like.
Know your numbers before buyers do
Get a licensed marine contractor’s written estimate on anything questionable before you list. Then you can decide whether to fix it, price it in or offer a credit, instead of hearing about it first from the buyer’s inspector in the middle of negotiations. Our free contractor estimate form helps you compare quotes, and every contractor in our directory shows their Virginia license as the state lists it. Buying instead? See our buyer’s checklist.
For listing agents
Share it with your sellers
Hand the one-page checklist to sellers when you take a waterfront listing, or send them the link. Fewer surprises at inspection means a smoother closing. It’s free to share as long as it stays unchanged.
Free tool
Getting estimates?
Three estimates rarely quote the same job. Our free printable form gets every contractor to answer the same questions, including license, insurance, permits, price and warranty, so you can compare them side by side.
Find a contractor
By type of work: Bulkheads and seawalls · Docks and piers · Boat lifts
By area: See contractors by city
This checklist is general information, not a property inspection, engineering advice or legal advice. Disclosure rules depend on your situation, so ask your agent or a real estate attorney. Every shoreline is different, so rely on a licensed contractor, inspector or engineer for your property. Lifespans are typical ranges and depend on construction quality and site conditions. Last reviewed October 2026.