Dream Docks: Hottest Trends at Smith Mountain Lake

With a surge of new lakefront homes under construction and numerous existing properties recently changing hands, dock builders are busier than ever. Many report wait times of up to two years for new construction or renovation projects.

To help homeowners navigate their options and plan ahead, we spoke with several industry experts to gather the latest insights on dock design, materials and features, including popular additions that enhance lake life.

From luxurious dock houses and remote-controlled lifts to stylish lighting and audio systems, these features are designed to enhance the overall lake experience, creating functional, low-maintenance spaces that serve as extensions of the home for both relaxation and entertaining.

Mike Dillon, owner of Dillon Docks, drove his first pilings some 30 years ago and has watched docks evolve from mundane one-slip structures to elaborate, 2,00-plus square-foot summer fun platforms that house boats in luxury and welcome users with bars, TVs, expansive floaters and shaded spaces for lounging and entertaining.

“They just keep getting fancier and fancier,” Dillon said, noting the trends of tongue-and-groove ceilings, boxed-in pilings, remote control lifts and attractive, maintenance-free decking. “Ninety percent of what we do now is composite.”

Turner’s Dock Building will celebrate 50 years in business at SML next year, and founder Mike Turner’s son Jason started working a summer job there at the age of 15. After graduating from college, he agreed to “help out for a year”… and has been there for the past 26.

When asked about changes in the dock-building industry over the years, Turner initially quipped, “Not much,” before diving into the real story with plenty of insights.

“Way back when, we could build a nice 1,300-square-foot dock for about $35,000. Now, a 1,500-footer [the largest AEP allows for properties with between 100 and 300 feet of shoreline], with composite decking and plywood ceiling, can run upward of $150,000.”

Over the years, the Turner approach has become a refined, customized process, beginning with understanding customer needs—vessel capacity, seating and storage—followed by a site visit to evaluate placement, views, shoreline features and property lines.

“Whenever possible, we incorporate roof lines, gables, windows and finishes that make a dock complement the house that is or will be on shore,” Turner said. “With our design experience, a customer doesn’t need to hire an architect to achieve an obvious pairing with their home.” For materials, Turner has been using TimberTech composite decking on new builds almost exclusively the past 18 years.

“We stock treated lumber for renovating docks originally built with timber, but even most of our re-deckings use composites now,” he said.

Erik Plyler represents the third generation leading Plyler Homes & Docks, a construction and real estate development company founded in 1974. Erik highlighted the growing customer preference for low-maintenance materials and is particularly enthusiastic about Azek’s 100 percent PVC decking.

“Unlike composites, the Azek PVC decking has no wood particles to rot, mold, mildew or stain,” he said. “We also recommend the ‘Tiger Claws’ stainless steel hidden fastener system. It adds $2,000 to $3,000 to the typical dock’s cost, but improves appearance and holds the decking tightly to the frame of the dock, which is important with slight movement of dock pilings from heavy wave motion.”

Plyler agreed that finished ceilings, boxed-in pilings, remote boat lifts and upgrades to dock houses have driven typical dock costs toward $100,000-$150,000 for a 1,500-square-foot dock. “AEP permitting is typically a significant part of the 12-15 month lead time to start a project, and customers should factor that into their planning,” said Plyler.

With a tragic drowning last year caused by stray electrical current in the water, attention to dock wiring safety has surged.

“We’ve heard concerns from many of our customers,” said James Wisler, President of Wisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, “and have joined the Smith Mountain Lake Association in encouraging dock owners to make sure their docks comply with the new-construction wiring and grounding standards recently adopted by the three counties that have shoreline on SML. 

“We educate dock owners, make recommendations and have qualified electricians available for retrofits and installation of stray voltage monitors.”

Precisely because those new standards are not code-required on existing structures, Bill Nissen, owner of Dock Solutions, strongly recommends continuous monitoring.

“Many dock owners have had stray current levels around their docks measured and found them within safe-swimming limits, but that is an ‘at-the-moment measurement’ that can change the instant a nearby dock owner lowers their lift cradle into the water or flips a circuit switch,” he warned Nissen recommends using Dock Lifeguard for continuous monitoring. The system, which runs about $1,500 installed, sounds an alarm and flashes lights if it detects stray voltage in the water. 

“The alarm can be heard three or four docks away,” Nissen said, “so swimmers at neighboring docks are warned as well.”

Another trend gaining popularity at SML is transforming docks into extensions of outdoor living spaces.

“Docks are no longer just places to tie up your boat—they’re becoming outdoor destinations,” said Pete Bryant, owner of Southern Lights Outdoor Lighting and Audio. “Docks are an extension of your lake lifestyle.”

With the growing popularity of outdoor kitchens, bars, TVs and dining areas as key features of modern dock design, thoughtful planning for lighting and audio is essential to maximize the investment.

“Professional lighting and a well-integrated, high-quality audio system should be fundamental elements of any dock build, renovation or upgrade,” Bryant said. “Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing sunset, sipping morning coffee or celebrating a holiday weekend, the right combination of lighting and audio enhances the entire experience and makes your dock the ultimate hangout spot.

“At the end of the day, it’s about finding the perfect balance between safety, style and function. When you plan ahead and consider how you’ll use your dock—be it for cooking, entertaining or simply unwinding—it transforms from a simple structure to the best seat on the waterfront.”