Dock and Deck Builder in Columbia Falls, MT
We build aluminum docks and custom decks for homes around Columbia Falls. Our shop is in Somers, about half an hour down the valley, and we are up this way regularly.
River Frontage Is a Different Job
Columbia Falls sits on the Flathead River, not the lake, and a river dock has to be built for different problems. The water comes up fast with spring runoff out of the North Fork and the Middle Fork, it drops through the summer, and there is current and floating debris to account for the whole time.
In practice that means a dock built in sections that come out easily, anchoring designed for moving water, and a layout that still works when the river is two feet lower in August than it was in June. We would rather build something you can pull before runoff than something runoff tears up.
Decks Are the Bigger Piece Up Here
Most of the calls we get from Columbia Falls are deck work, not dock work. New aluminum decks, replacing wood that has gone soft, railings and stairs. Aluminum makes sense here for the same reason it makes sense on the lake: it does not rot, it does not need staining every couple of years, and it handles snow load and freeze and thaw without moving.
If you have an old wood deck you are tired of maintaining, that is the conversation we have most often up this way.
Repairs and Seasonal Work
We repair docks and decks we did not build. On the river that usually means fixing what runoff moved, or replacing boards and framing that have gone soft. If your dock comes out for the winter, we can handle the in and out so it is not your job in October.
Send a few photos with your call and we can usually tell you over the phone whether you are looking at a repair or a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you build docks on the river, or only on the lake?
Both. River docks are built differently, with easier removal and anchoring made for current, but it is work we do.
Is Columbia Falls too far for you?
No. It is about thirty minutes from the shop and we are up that way often. There is no travel charge.
Why aluminum for a deck instead of wood or composite?
It does not rot, it does not need refinishing, and it holds up to snow sitting on it all winter. Over the life of the deck it is less work and less money.
Can you do the deck and the dock at the same time?
Yes, and it is worth doing together. The grade between the house and the water is where most of the planning goes, and one crew doing both ends saves you a second trip out.
Also Nearby
We work all through the Flathead Valley. See every town we serve, or call (406) 210-6218.