Boat raised on a boat lift at a residential dock on a Miami canal with palm trees

MIAMI, FLORIDA

Boat Lift Repair Miami

Boat lift repair in Miami that replaces the lift or its pilings needs Miami-Dade DERM’s Class I permit, where installing a lift on a dock or seawall qualifies for the short form.

Licensed Permits handled Florida waterfront

We connect Miami owners with licensed marine contractors who service lifts on Biscayne Bay and the Miami River.

Free inspection and a written scope.

Permit life

Short-form permits are valid two years, and most standard permits three. DERM’s coastal permitting line is (305) 372-6575.

City permit

Structural lift work also needs a City of Miami Building Department permit under Sec. 29-83, whether the lift sits on Biscayne Bay or the river.

Palm-lined canal in Miami Beach with private docks and small boats

Why it matters

What usually fails

On Biscayne Bay and the river, salt works on lift motors and gearbox seals first, then cables from the inside out. Open the gearbox during a yearly service.

A free inspection tells you which one you are looking at.

What a free inspection includes

A contractor comes to your property, looks at the structure above and below the waterline where needed, and tells you what is actually happening.

You get a written scope and estimate. No obligation, no trip fee.

  • On-site assessment of the structure and surrounding soil
  • Photos and a plain-English explanation of the problem
  • Written estimate with scope and materials
  • Repair versus replacement guidance where both are options
Contractor in a safety vest taking notes on a clipboard during an on-site assessment
Aerial view of the residential canal grid in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Serving waterfront Florida

Local waterways, permit offices, and conditions vary by region. Pick yours.

Get a free inspection

Free Inspection Request

No obligation, no trip fee. A licensed marine contractor in Miami-Dade County will call you to arrange a time.

Aerial view of waterfront homes along the Tarpon River in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Find out what your waterfront needs

A licensed marine contractor in Miami-Dade County will inspect your seawall, dock, or lift at no cost and put it in writing.