FAQ — Permanent Piers & Boat Lifts
Answers to common questions about permanent pier installation, boat lifts, costs, process, and working with Summerset Marine Construction in Wisconsin.
Can you add a boat lift to my existing pier?
In most cases, yes. We install and service boat lifts alongside existing pier structures, whether or not we built the original pier. The key factors are water depth at the lift location, bottom conditions, and the size and weight of your boat. A site visit lets us confirm the right lift capacity and placement, and if your existing pier needs reinforcement or reconfiguration to work with the lift, we can handle that in the same project.
Do boat lifts require electricity?
Not necessarily. Manual wheel-driven lifts require no power at all, while motorized lifts can run on shore power, battery systems, or solar charging depending on the site. For properties without convenient shore power, solar-charged DC lift motors are a proven, low-maintenance option. We'll recommend the drive system that fits your boat weight, usage pattern, and shoreline power situation.
What size boat lift do I need?
Lift capacity should exceed your boat's total weight — hull, engine, fuel, batteries, and gear — with a comfortable safety margin, not just the dry weight on the spec sheet. Beam width, hull style (pontoon, V-hull, wake boat), and water depth at your shore also drive the right choice. When we scope a lift we work from your specific boat and site rather than a generic chart, and we account for a future boat upgrade if you're planning one.
What is the Lifetime brand?
Lifetime is Summerset Marine Construction's proprietary line of permanent waterfront systems — including Lifetime Piers, Lifetime Lifts, and Lifetime Barge. Every Lifetime product is designed, engineered, and built by Summerset Marine at our Whitewater, Wisconsin facility. The Lifetime name reflects our commitment to building systems that are meant to last the lifetime of your property, backed by the engineering expertise and installation quality that Summerset Marine has developed since 1990.
What areas does Summerset Marine Construction serve?
Summerset Marine Construction serves waterfront properties across Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Our primary markets include the Lake Geneva area, the Oconomowoc / Lake Country chain of lakes, and Door County on Green Bay and Lake Michigan. We also serve Madison-area lakes, Green Lake, and additional markets throughout Wisconsin. Contact us to discuss your location — if we have not yet served your specific lake, we are happy to evaluate whether we can accommodate your project.
How long does a permanent pier installation take?
Most permanent pier installations are completed in one to three days depending on the size of the system, site conditions, and water depth. More complex installations — particularly on larger lakes with significant depth or difficult bottom conditions — may require additional time. Summerset Marine's installation crews work efficiently to minimize disruption to your property, and we coordinate scheduling around your calendar whenever possible.
What water depth and bottom conditions work best for a permanent pier?
Permanent pier systems can be engineered for a wide range of conditions. Our systems have been successfully installed in water depths from 4 feet to over 60 feet, and in bottom conditions ranging from soft mud to hard clay to rock. The engineering approach varies by site — softer bottoms may require longer post embedment or broader footings, while rocky conditions may require alternative anchoring methods. A site assessment is always the first step, and our team will evaluate your specific conditions before recommending a system configuration.
Do I need a permit to install a pier on my lake?
In Wisconsin, piers are regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, and many residential piers that meet size and placement standards are exempt from individual permits — but larger structures, certain shorelines, and municipal or county rules can require approval. Permitting requirements also differ for boat lifts, dredging, and shoreline work. We handle the permitting assessment as part of every project scope and manage any applications that are needed, so you don't have to interpret the regulations yourself.
How far in advance should I book a consultation?
Sooner than you'd think — design, permitting, and fabrication all happen before installation, and the build calendar fills months ahead for peak season. Booking a consultation in fall or winter typically positions a project for the following boating season. That said, we scope projects year-round, so the best time to start the conversation is when you're ready.
Do permanent piers require seasonal removal?
No. That is the primary advantage of a Lifetime permanent pier system. The system is engineered to remain in place through Wisconsin winters, including ice formation, ice pressure, and freeze-thaw cycles. Our permanent systems use HDPE decking that will not rot, splinter, or deteriorate from seasonal exposure, and the structural posts are driven to depths that provide stability in all conditions. You use your pier from the moment ice-out occurs through the end of the boating season — every year, without the cost or hassle of seasonal installation and removal.
What is the difference between a permanent and seasonal pier?
A permanent pier is anchored into the lake bottom with driven posts or pilings and remains in place year-round. It requires no seasonal installation or removal, withstands ice and wave action, and is engineered to last decades with minimal maintenance. A seasonal pier is installed each spring and removed each fall, typically using removable legs or frames. Seasonal systems are lower in upfront cost but require annual labor and cannot be used during installation and removal periods. For most Wisconsin lakefront property owners who plan to stay long-term, a permanent system delivers better value over time.
What maintenance does a Lifetime pier require?
Lifetime permanent pier systems are designed to be low-maintenance by design. HDPE decking does not require staining, sealing, or painting, and will not rot or splinter. We recommend an annual inspection of hardware, connections, and structural components — which Summerset Marine can perform as part of a service visit. Beyond that, most Lifetime pier owners find that their system requires little attention beyond keeping it clean. Compared to wood or aluminum seasonal systems, the maintenance savings over a 20-30 year ownership period are significant.
Can a permanent pier be customized to my shoreline?
Every permanent pier we build is designed around the specific site — water depth profile, bottom composition, wave and ice exposure, boat and lift requirements, and how you actually use your waterfront. Configuration, deck layout, materials, and finishes are all selected per project. That's why every installation starts with a site visit rather than a catalog order.
Do permanent piers survive Wisconsin winters and ice?
Yes — surviving winter is the entire point of a permanent system. Our piers are engineered to remain in the water year-round, with structural steel framing and footing designed to resist the ice sheet movement, expansion pressure, and spring break-up that destroy or require removal of conventional seasonal docks. Rather than pulling your pier every fall and reinstalling every spring, a permanent system is simply ready when the ice goes out.
How much does a permanent pier cost?
Permanent pier systems from Summerset Marine Construction are custom-engineered for each site, so pricing varies based on water depth, length, configuration, and site conditions. Most residential permanent pier projects fall in a range that reflects the quality and longevity of the system — a Lifetime pier is a long-term capital improvement to your property, not an annual expense. We provide detailed quotes following a site assessment. Contact us to schedule a consultation and receive pricing specific to your property.
When should I schedule spring installation and fall removal?
Spring installation begins as soon as ice conditions allow and books up quickly — reserving your spot in late winter ensures you're on the water early in the season. Fall removals are scheduled before consistent freezing sets in. Customers on our seasonal service schedule get priority placement in both directions. If you're tired of the twice-a-year cycle entirely, that's exactly the problem our permanent systems eliminate.
Do you service piers and lifts that Summerset didn't install?
Yes. Our service and repair work covers pier and lift systems from a wide range of manufacturers, not just our own installations. Common requests include lift motor and cable service, leveling and re-footing, deck and frame repairs, and upgrades to existing structures. If a system is unsafe or beyond economical repair, we'll tell you directly and lay out replacement options.
How do I winterize my boat lift?
Winterization depends on the lift type: boats come off, cradles are raised or lowered per manufacturer guidance, canopies come down, and battery or solar systems are disconnected and stored. Lifts left in the water on lakes with significant ice movement may need repositioning or removal. We offer seasonal service that handles the full checklist correctly, which is the best insurance against spring surprises.
What should I do if my pier or lift is damaged?
Contact us with photos and a description of the damage as soon as it's safe to do so — storm damage, ice damage, and boat strikes are all things we assess and repair regularly. Acting quickly matters, because minor structural damage can worsen with continued wave and ice action. We'll evaluate whether a repair or a component replacement is the right path and get you a clear scope before any work begins.
Contact Summerset Marine Construction at (800) 816-9698 or request a free consultation.