The average homeowner of waterfront property spends $37,500 on seawall repair, but the cost ranges from $26,250 to $48,750 for seawalls of different types and sizes located on different bodies of water.
Repairing a compromised seawall costs an average of $37,500 around the country. Overall, property owners are paying between $26,250 and $48,750 based on factors like a seawall's location and the severity of the damage. How much does it cost to repair a seawall on your property? This expert guide breaks down all of the considerations when determining seawall repair costs.
The length of your seawall is one of the biggest factors in determining repair costs. While other factors can sway costs, seawall repairs are often priced by square foot by contractors. The general cost for seawall repair is $100 to $250 per linear foot.
| Seawall Length (Linear Feet) | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 10’ | $1,000–$2,500 |
| 30’ | $3,000–$7,500 |
| 50’ | $5,000–$12,500 |
| 80’ | $6,000–$20,000 |
| 100’ | $10,000–$25,000 |
| 150’ | $15,000–$37,500 |
| 200’ | $20,000–$50,000 |
| 250’ | $25,000–$62,500 |
Sewall repairs must generally be performed by special marine wall repair contractors with licensing to work in marine or shore environments. With seawall repair requiring niche expertise and licensing, labor costs can average $50 to $100 per hour. Expect labor to account for 25% to 40% of your total project cost when repairing a seawall. While labor costs generally include the use of bulldozers and other basic equipment, rates can jump if seawall repair requires more specialized equipment.
Seawall repairs can range from addressing small cracks to rehabbing entire portions of a wall. Here's a look at what you can expect to pay for common seawall repairs.
| Repair Type | Cost by Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Fixing small cracks | $100–$180 |
| Installing new concrete caps and tiebacks | $125–$230 |
| Grouting joints | $100–$125 |
| Installing secondary anchors | $225–$300 |
| Soil stabilization | $120–$270 |
| Fixing leaning walls | $200–$600 |
| Fixing joint separation | $250–$500 |
| Addressing toe berm failure | $300–$600 |
| Restoring cracked panels | $450–$600 |
With seawall repair projects taking place in some of the most complex environments for construction, you can expect pricing to vary widely based on the conditions at your property. The extent of your seawall's repair needs can also play into final costs. Here's a look at cost factors to keep in the back of your mind when budgeting for this project.
The cost to repair a seawall can be significantly lower when repairing a wall along a river or lake compared to an open, ocean-facing shoreline. Even when having an ocean seawall fixed, you still have to factor in nuanced pricing considerations. For example, working from the shoreline only will be considerably less expensive compared to working from a barge on the water if your property has limited land access.
Hard-to-access seawalls require additional labor costs. If your seawall is in an inaccessible area, your contractor may need to clear debris or remove tree stumps. Additionally, you'll need to cover costs if your seawall contractor needs to do any kind of backfill work to stabilize the area where repairs are being done.
Repairing a seawall in clay or rocky soil can be significantly more difficult. "Hard" soil may require drilling. Your contractor may also charge you to haul away discarded rock that has been removed from the work zone.
If you're having a seawall repaired using vinyl, wood, or riprap rock, expect costs to fall in line with average cost for seawall repairs. Costs will be higher when repairing walls made from steel, concrete, or reinforced vinyl. If your wall is made from a combination of riprap rock and steel or concrete, the combination of masonry and metalwork could bring costs well above average.
DIY seawall repair is highly discouraged due to the potential environmental and legal ramifications. In most places, coastal commissions and wetland committees highly regulate any and all work done to seawalls. Proper licensing and permits are generally required for any type of repairs or updates performed on seawalls.
How much does it cost to repair a seawall vs. building a new one? If your seawall is in rough shape, you might be wondering if you're better off making repairs or completely replacing your seawall. This could help you avoid the stress and cost of tearing down a wall you've just paid to fix in a few short years. Here's a look at the factors to weigh when deciding if a wall should either be fixed or completely redone.
While seawalls can last anywhere from 30 to 70 years, most maintain their integrity for roughly 50 years before potentially needing to be replaced. The location of your seawall often determines its longevity. For example, wave-battered seawalls on saltwater coasts tend to disintegrate faster due to factors like rust and erosion. Meanwhile, seawalls on freshwater lakes often last longer. While most seawalls begin to need some repair work at around the 20-year mark, that doesn't mean that your seawall is actually malfunctioning. This is considered normal. However, pouring money into repairing a seawall that was built more than 50 years ago may not be wise.
It's typically worth it to hold on to a seawall that only needs some cracks filled or new grouting. Once you get into the territory of replacing full panels, you should consider whether starting from scratch may be worth it. Redoing a crumbling or highly compromised seawall can give you an opportunity to utilize newer, more resilient materials while also ensuring that your wall has a cohesive look instead of holding it together with patchwork repairs from different eras.
On average, the cost to have a new seawall built ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. Most contractors charge anywhere from $100 to $800 per linear foot. However, more complex projects could cost $1,000 per linear foot. If the cost to repair your seawall would total 50% or more of the cost to build a seawall from scratch, consider investing the money into getting a modern seawall built instead.
When it comes to lowering the cost of seawall repair, property owners don't always have a lot of options. Unlike common home and yard projects, seawall repair doesn't leave room for DIY fixes. However, there are still some ways to get the best value with this project:
Hire the Right Contractor: Hiring the right seawall repair contractor is the best way to protect the investment you're making in repairs. The right crew will help you to avoid the need for further repairs down the line due to missteps. It's important to avoid any destruction to your property that could come with hiring inexperienced pros. Look for a seawall repair expert who has completed advanced geotechnical training and possesses the latest marine-safe equipment.
Address All of the Issues at Once: If your seawall needs several repairs, get quotes for all of the work being done at the same time instead of waiting to get things done one at a time. While bundling the costs will lead to a bigger project, the overall cost may be lower because your contractor won't have to come out several times.
Stay on Top of Seawall Maintenance: Neglect is the top reason why seawalls fail. Stay ahead of major problems with your seawall by booking annual inspections for signs of soil shifting, cracking, erosion, or clogged weep holes. Consider hiring a landscaper to manage vegetation around your seawall to prevent weeds and tree roots from causing erosion and cracks.
If you're planning to sell your home in the future, a compromised seawall may be a dealbreaker for a potential buyer. Buyers may not want the liability of a damaged or failing seawall. In addition, a compromised seawall could make it impossible for a buyer to purchase your home with a mortgage from a bank because the issue could make your home uninsurable. If you're simply looking to bulk up a seawall to increase privacy or close off access from the shoreline, consider spending less by taking on aluminum fence cost instead.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Bulging walls, cracks in the seawall's top or side, and the appearance of a seawall "pulling away" are all signs that you need repairs or reconstruction. The area around the seawall can also provide clues. For instance, you may notice water bubbling over in areas of your yard if your seawall has holes or cracks. The soil around the seawall may also appear to be sloping or sinking.
If your boat dock and seawall appear to be failing at the same time, taking on the projects together may be easier from a permitting perspective. By doing a big project, you can ensure that everything in your property is safe and up to code. Depending on the size and condition of your boat dock, average boat dock repair cost can range from $834 to $5,432.
