Waterfront Landscaping
Where your property meets the water
We design and build the spaces between your home and your lake — beaches, rip rap walls, seawalls, fire pits, and shoreline restoration, built for Michigan conditions.
✓ Licensed & Insured in Michigan
✓ Michigan, Ohio, Indiana
✓ 10+ Years of Waterfront Experience
✓ Free On-Site Consultations
✓ Family-Owned & Operated
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Your shoreline deserves as much attention as your dock
Most lake homeowners invest in a dock and stop there. But the land between your yard and the water — the shoreline — determines how your whole property looks, feels, and holds up year after year.
We work with the natural character of your waterfront to create functional, beautiful spaces that handle Michigan's freeze-thaw cycles, seasonal water fluctuation, and erosion without falling apart in three years.
Beaches, rip rap walls, fire pits, seawalls, pathways, erosion control — we build it all, and we build it to last.
10+
YEARS EXPERIENCE
3
STATES SERVED
✓
LICENSED & INSURED
Free
ON-SITE QUOTE
WHAT WE BUILD
Every waterfront is different. Here's what we can do with yours.
We handle the full scope of shoreline work — from erosion problems to full transformations — and we tailor every project to your property's specific conditions.
Beach Installation
A sand beach changes how you experience your lake. We install properly graded, erosion-resistant beaches that stay put through Michigan winters and fluctuating water levels.
Sand sourcing, grading, and installation
Weed barrier and erosion stabilization underneath
Edging and retention to keep sand in place
Beach volleyball and recreation areas
Child-safe shallow wading zones
Rip Rap Walls
Large rock armor along your shoreline is one of the most effective and natural-looking ways to stop erosion dead in its tracks. We source and place rock to match your property.
Rock selection sized for your wave exposure
Filter fabric base to prevent undermining
Reshaping eroded banks before placement
Integration with existing landscaping
Aesthetic styling with natural stone varieties
Seawall Installation & Repair
For properties with significant erosion pressure, a seawall provides engineered protection. We install new seawalls and repair deteriorating ones before they fail completely.
Aluminum, steel, and concrete seawall systems
Deadman anchor systems for structural integrity
Repair of bowing, cracked, or failed sections
Capping, backfilling, and surface finishing
Compliance with Michigan riparian regulations
Fire Pits & Outdoor Gathering Spaces
There's nothing better than a fire at the water's edge on a Michigan evening. We build permanent, safe fire pit areas integrated into your shoreline landscaping plan.
Built-in stone, brick, and steel fire pit designs
Gravel, paver, and stone patio surrounds
Seating walls and retaining walls
Safe setbacks from the water and structures
Drainage grading to prevent pooling
Shoreline Pathways & Steps
Getting to your dock and beach should be easy, safe, and look good. We build natural stone, timber, and paver paths and steps that handle the grade change from yard to water.
Flagstone, fieldstone, and paver pathway systems
Timber and concrete step installations
Handrail integration for safety
Gravel and stone landings at the dock
Lighting-ready designs for evening safety
Erosion Control & Shoreline Restoration
Erosion doesn't stop on its own. Whether you've got a soft, crumbling bank or a bare shoreline losing ground every season, we stabilize it before the problem gets expensive.
Bank grading and reshaping
Bioengineering with native plantings
Jute matting and erosion blankets
Root systems and live stakes for long-term hold
EGLE-compliant restoration methods
HOW IT WORKS
From first call to finished shoreline
We handle the full scope of shoreline work — from erosion problems to full transformations — and we tailor every project to your property's specific conditions.
We keep the process straightforward. No vague timelines, no surprise scope creep.
1
Free On-Site Consultation
We walk your shoreline with you, look at what you're working with, and talk through what's possible. No charge, no pressure.
2
Written Proposal & Plan
We send you a clear, itemized proposal. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before any work starts.
3
Permitting
(If Needed)
Some shoreline work requires a permit from your township or EGLE. We advise you on requirements and can help you navigate the process.
4
Build & Walk-through
Our crew does the work. When we're done, we walk you through everything and don't leave until you're satisfied.
OUR WORK
Waterfront transformations across Michigan
WHY MICHIGAN DOCKS
We know Michigan Shorelines. That matters.
Waterfront landscaping in Michigan isn't the same as landscaping anywhere else. Freeze-thaw cycles, variable lake levels, EGLE regulations, and wave action from boat traffic all affect what works and what fails. We've been doing this long enough to know the difference.
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We're two brothers. Our name is on every job. If something isn't right, you call us directly — not a call center.
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We carry full general liability coverage. If you're hiring anyone for waterfront work, ask for proof of insurance. We'll always have ours ready.
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We've worked on inland lakes, river properties, and Great Lakes shorelines. We know what holds up and what doesn't — and we build accordingly.
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Shoreline work in Michigan often requires permits. We know what triggers a permit requirement, what doesn't, and how to get your project done right and legally.
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We give you a written estimate before any work begins. The price we quote is the price you pay unless scope changes — and we'll always tell you before that happens.
Do I need a permit for shoreline landscaping in Michigan?
1
It depends on what you're doing and where. Work below the ordinary high-water mark — installing rip rap, seawalls, beach sand, or doing any grading near the water — typically requires a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and possibly your township. Many landscaping projects above the water line don't require a permit, but it's property-specific. We'll advise you during your consultation on what your project is likely to require.
What's the best time of year for shoreline landscaping?
2
For most projects — rip rap, seawalls, beach installation, and hardscape — late spring through early fall is ideal. The ground is workable, water levels are predictable, and everything has time to settle before winter. For erosion control plantings, fall is actually excellent because native plant species establish well in cool, moist conditions. We can discuss timing during your consultation based on what you want done.
How much does waterfront landscaping cost in Michigan?
3
It varies significantly based on the size of the project, materials, site access, and whether permitting is required. A small beach installation or fire pit area is a very different scope than a full rip rap wall along 150 feet of shoreline. We provide free consultations and written estimates before any work begins — that's the only honest way to give you a number, because every shoreline is different.
Can you combine landscaping work with dock installation?
4
Yes — and it often makes sense to. If you're putting in a new dock, that's a great time to also address the shoreline it connects to. We can coordinate both scopes of work so the dock and the shoreline work together visually and functionally. A stone pathway from your yard to the dock, or a beach area beside it, turns a dock into a destination.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What lake homeowners ask us most
My shoreline has significant erosion. Where do I start?
5
Start with a free consultation — erosion problems range from minor bank softening to active structural collapse, and the right solution depends entirely on your specific situation. The most important thing is not to wait. Erosion compounds: a small problem this year is an expensive problem in two years. We'll walk your shoreline with you, show you what we're seeing, and give you an honest picture of what needs to happen.
Do you serve my area?
6
We're based in Brighton, MI and primarily serve Southeast Michigan — Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Genesee counties, including lakes like Brighton Lake, Chemung Lake, Whitmore Lake, Lake Fenton, and many others. We also work with clients across Michigan and have completed projects in Ohio and Indiana. Not sure? Call or email us and we'll give you a straight answer.
GET STARTED
Ready to transform your shoreline?
We offer free on-site consultations across Michigan. We'll walk your property, talk through your vision, and give you a clear picture of what's possible and what it costs — no obligation.