How to Vet Your Dock Designer

Want to be sure you’re choosing the right pro for your dock design? Need some advice to get through the vetting process? Looking for a boost to your vetting skills before you start meeting dock designers?

Choosing a professional to work on a significant project at your home or property can be a bit daunting. You can start to feel like you need to hours and hours of research to find someone reliable. The truth is if you’re armed with just a few key pieces of advice, you can get through the vetting process more confidently!

Read Reviews Online

One of the great things about today’s internet is that there is no shortage of sources to find reviews for all types of businesses. From Google, to Yelp, to sites like Angie’s List, you can get a snapshot of a business’s reputation pretty quickly. Make sure to dig into reviews a little bit to make sure the company or designer is a good fit for your project.

Ask for References

After you’ve checked reviews online, check in with the designer personally and ask for their references. Hopefully they can give you something a little more specific than blurbs on their website, but if they have lots of those, it’s usually not a bad sign!

Multiple Modes of Contact

One of the major issues and concerns people have when working with contractors is staying in contact. Contractors have been given a bad name by the select few who try and scam clients or disappear. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by getting one or two contact numbers, emails, fax numbers, addresses, whatever it takes to feel confident. When you have the contact info, test a few out and see what their response time is like.

Ask Questions

When you start to get serious about considering a dock designer, make sure you take one or two opportunities to ask a handful of questions. Don’t be afraid to judge the designer according to their answers and push for what you want. Write your questions down beforehand so you won’t forget anything important!

If a potential dock designer makes it through these 4 levels of your vetting process, you should be pretty confident in working with them on your new boat dock! And if you’re looking for expertise in dock designs, give us a call today. We’re ready to help you design the dock of your dreams!

Top Qualities to Look for in a Dock Designer

Searching for a dock designer and not sure how to make a selection? Looking for a way to make the process easier? Need quick tips to help you choose a reliable dock designer?

Selecting the right person or company to do work for you in your home is not always easy and can quickly get overly complicated and time consuming. To make the process easier in your search for a dock designer, consider a simple list of the top qualities recommended by experts in dock designs.

1.    Experience

Get a sense of a designer’s experience by reading online reviews, checking out their website, and getting references of people they’ve worked with. You can also ask the designer directly about their history and background in the business.

2.    Timeline

If you want to the project done in a timely manner, a thorough timeline is a key quality in your dock designer. Make sure to ask about specific start and end dates with a clear understanding and when they will be on your property and for how long.

3.    Materials

The ability to select and commit to reliable materials is a must-have quality for a dock designer. Find out if your designer has a preference for certain manufacturers, and be sure to do a background check there too.

4.    Contact

Do your best to avoid working with a contractor who is difficult to contact. Secure several ways to get in touch with them including a couple phone numbers, emails, fax numbers, etc. Go the extra mile and test the contacts and response times.

To be confident in your search for a dock designer, keep these top qualities in mind as you talk to potential contractors. With our advice in your back pocket, you’ll be on your way to selecting an effective dock designer you can trust. If you’re looking for expertise in dock designs, give us a call today. We’re ready to help you design the dock of your dreams!

Top 5 Customization Options for Your New Boat Dock

Dreaming of a custom boat dock, but not sure which options to include? Wondering which custom boat dock options will be best for you? Looking for ideas to optimize your custom boat dock?








You’re putting in a new boat dock and you’re going for it: customized! But you want to make sure you include all the essential features in your original design so you don’t have to go back and change anything later. To get it done right the first time, check out our top 5 customization options for your new boat dock:

1. Good Looks: Don’t forget to consider the look of the dock on its own and the whole big picture! You can pick options to make sure your dock goes with the look of your house or other design aesthetics.
2. Storage Solutions: Make sure your design includes attractive storage options to hide your gear but keep it accessible. Without storage solutions built-in, you’re likely to end up with an eye-sore like a plastic storage shed shoved into a corner.
3. Use It for More: Get more use out of your dock by incorporating nontraditional elements like upper decks and metal roofs. These features can help turn your dock into something much more than just a place to dock your boat!
4. Space for Toys: custom-built docks can easily be designed to include space to store and use an array of water vehicles from pontoons, to kayaks, to jet skis.
5. How ‘bout Them Upgrades: running water, electricity, and multiple levels are the kind of features that will transform a boat dock into something much more. If you are dreaming of any of these upgrades, make sure they’re in the design now!

These options should help you design a custom boat dock that won’t be lacking anything! If you have questions about boat dock customization or aluminum boat docks, give us a call today.

Top Midwest Boating Destinations

Are you looking forward to getting out on the water with your family this year?

Do you want to try new places instead of going to the family cottage every weekend?

Have you thought about trying inland lakes in the Midwest for your boating adventures this summer?

According to Discover Boating, Michigan beats out Florida for the most registered boaters, and many other Midwest states aren’t far behind!

If you’re looking for a great freshwater lake to get out on the water and enjoy the sunshine, we’ve put together a list of places that are sure to have you enjoying the waves!

1.    Lake of the Ozarks, MO – This 93 mile-long lake located an hour south of Jefferson City is lined with scenic hardwood forests which are perfect places to dock up and have a picnic while boating. There are several state parks along the shore that provide public access!

2.    Lake Wawasee, IN – This lake is relatively deep and is in the heart of pontoon country – about an hour northwest of Fort Wayne, and an hour southeast of South Bend. This lake is great for watersports being that it’s very open and wide. Fisherman will appreciate the largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries here, too!

3.    Tappan Lake, OH – This lake is surrounded by thousands of acres of gorgeous forests and is extremely scenic – there’s virtually no privately developed land around Tappan Lake, making it full of trees and uninterrupted views. There’s a marina on the north side of the lake on Route 250 that provides easy public access, and the town of Ulrichsville is a short drive away.

4.    Lake Winnebago, WI – This is one of the most popular lakes in Wisconsin. Lake Winnebago is 30 miles long and 10 miles wide at its extremes, and the tourist destinations of Oshkosh, Appleton, and Fond du Lac are located along its shores. There’s great public access located at a handful of state parks along 88 miles of shoreline.

5.    Elk River Chain of Lakes, MI – The Elk River Chain features beautifully clear water and are very accessible – especially Torch Lake, which is located just off Grand Traverse Bay, a popular tourist destination. State parks and facilities are everywhere to provide ease of access and amenities for the whole family.

If these lakes sound like the perfect destination for your family this summer, we couldn’t agree more! If you want to make your summer cottage a destination for your family and friends, we can help with that, too! We have the best quality aluminum boat docks and accessories to make your cottage or lake house the perfect getaway.

We also have the knowledge and experience to keep your existing boat dock looking brand new for years to come.

Contact us to learn more!

Summer Boating Etiquette

Are you looking forward to another summer on the water?

Do you know the correct etiquette for boaters? Are you following the rules, or do you tend to be a little reckless?

The last thing you want this summer is a boating accident that could harm you or someone you love.
You should also teach boating etiquette to your children, so they can be safer boaters, too!

Right Of Way

When crossing paths with another vessel, you should recognize which vessel is the “privileged” or “stand-on” vessel. In other words, you and your boat either “stand-on” course because you have the right-of-way, or you “give way” to another vessel.

When passing another boat, sound two short blasts from your horn to signify you’d like permission to pass. If the boat you’re trying to pass blasts their horn five times, or doesn’t respond at all, you should assume it’s not safe to pass.

This rule can be a little vague sometimes, especially if you’re on a river or lake that’s very crowded. Frank Penny, a boating safety and seamanship course instructor for U.S. Power Squadron says, “It’s good sense to relax, let the other guy have the right-of-way and avoid a collision, no matter who has the right-of-way.” In other words, if you feel like you’re being challenged by another boater, let the other boat go first.

Anchoring and Mooring

Be sure to enter an anchorage or mooring at a slow speed. Remember that your neighbors and other boaters don’t want to get caught up in a wake you create by coming in at a high speed! Don’t get too close to other anchored boats, and take care not to blind your neighbors if you’re using a spotlight.

Marina Manners

If you’re stopping at a marina instead of your private boat dock, keep in mind that other boats are also using it. At peak times of the day, remember that other boats are stopping for fuel and other necessities, so make sure to follow proper procedures and move out of the way in a timely manner.
In addition, make sure to keep the area around your slip clear and put equipment back where it belongs if you use it.

Take a Safety Course

If you’re new to boating or want a refresher, take a boating safety course! There are courses available through the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary about boat safety and boat handling that are great for learning not only written rules of boating, but the unwritten ones too.

At the end of the day, boaters tend to think of each other as members of the same community and neighbors, so make sure you exercise good etiquette out on the water. Stop to help a fellow boater if they need it, and be courteous no matter what.

Looking For More?

If you need more information about boating, aluminum boat docks, or accessories, Alumi-Span can help! We love spending time on the water and want to help you have a great summer on the lake, too. Contact us today to find out how we can help you build a custom boat dock to transform your cottage or lake house into the perfect summer giveaway!

5 Must-Have Dock Accessories

Sprucing up your dock space with a few new accessories this year? Not sure where to start furnishing your new dock with necessary accessories?

Have you recently purchased aluminum dock sections but want them to be more than just a place to tie your boat?

Putting six decades of experience to use, we have compiled a list of 5 must-have dock accessories. From purely functional to purely recreational, we’ve got it all covered! Check it out and discover what you’ve been missing.

1.    Bumpers

Bumpers are an essential piece of equipment for docks used with water equipment from motorized boats to kayaks. Protecting your dock, your person, and your equipment, bumpers are not something to go without. 

2.    Ladders

Ladders are a great addition to a dock that will be used for swimming or just for added safety. Aluminum ladders offer security and durability. Make sure to choose a spot for the ladder that won’t interfere with the function of your dock.

3.     Corner Sections

Dock corner sections might seem unnecessary, but actually offer a solution to multiple problems. Installing a corner section on a right angle corner of your dock provides a perfect location for a ladder, creates more space at the corners, and deters people from unsafely jumping the corners.

4.    Solar Lights

Solar lights are the ideal lighting solution for your dock! They are easy to install and work automatically. You don’t have to worry about wiring, where to add a switch for easy access, or adding to your electric bill. Your lights will charge in sun and turn on automatically as it gets dark.

5.    Furniture

Dock furniture could be seen as an indulgence. But if you’ve spent the time to create a great space, why not make it easy to enjoy it as much as possible? When choosing furniture, make sure you’re going for sturdy material that can handle the conditions like any other part of your dock.

If you’ve love your dock but still feel like something is missing, these 5 must-have accessories should hit the spot! Call us today with questions about adding accessories or aluminum dock sections to your waterfront space. We’re ready to help your property look its best for years to come.

4 Things to Know About Aluminum Boat Docks

Planning for a new dock this summer? Wondering if aluminum dock sections are the right choice for your new dock or dock upgrade? Don’t know much about aluminum docks and sections?

If you have an older dock at your waterfront property, you might be used to the look and maintenance of traditional wood docks and not have much experience with aluminum dock sections. Luckily, aluminum docks are the easiest docks to own and use, so your inexperience won’t stand in the way of building a beautiful, lasting dock with aluminum!

To convince you, we boiled it down to four essential things you need to know about aluminum boat docks:

1.    Corrosion-Be-Gone

With modern anodizing to protect your aluminum dock, corrosion, erosion, and other damage from exposure are things of the past. Anodizing aluminum creates an oxide layer on the surface of the metal protecting it from damage and heat buildup over time. 

2.    Unmatched Muscle

Pound-for-pound, you can’t beat aluminum’s strength as a dock material. Aside from the more obvious benefits of this strength, like durability and low maintenance, the power of aluminum also allows you to make use of a low freeboard. With your decking closer to the water, it will be easier to use non-motorized vehicles like canoes and kayaks.

3.    So Cool

Not only is anodized aluminum stronger, but it is also cooler than other dock materials. Under the baking sun, other materials will heat up and scorch bare feet, even if they’re painted white! It may be surprising to learn that, even as a metal, aluminum won’t heat up as much as other materials, making it safer and more comfortable.

4.    Light as a Feather

Not literally of course, but aluminum’s lightweight is still noteworthy! Working with a lightweight material will make your job easier if you go the DIY route with installation, or plan to make additions and improvements down the road. With lighter materials, professionals can also make efficient work of a dock installation.

Add these four things together and you have a dock that will be durable and attractive for years to come! A love for being on the water is pretty much all you need to enjoy your new aluminum dock.
If you have questions about a new dock, or aluminum dock sections, give us a call today. We are ready to help you have a better dock.