Lakeside Services LKJ

08/10/2026

08/06/2026

When it comes to protecting your boat, a roof is only part of the solution.

Many boat owners are surprised to learn that the majority of fading, oxidation, and upholstery damage comes from the low morning and afternoon sun—not the rain. Over time, UV exposure can take a toll on gel coat, vinyl seating, electronics, and flooring.

For this client, a retractable solar shade was the perfect answer. It blocks harsh direct sunlight while maintaining the open-air feel and lake views that make a boathouse enjoyable. When not needed, the shade rolls up discreetly and stays out of sight.

We love solutions like this because they help homeowners protect their investment without sacrificing the experience of being on the water.

If your boat spends its days baking in the sun, let’s talk about options to keep it looking new for years to come.

08/02/2026

A waterfront structure isn’t just adding value to your home—it’s adding value to your family’s experience on the lake. It’s where you’ll drink your morning coffee, watch the sunset, tie up the boat after a long day on the water, and make memories for years to come.

That’s why we build differently.

Every year, we receive countless calls to repair docks, decks, stairs, and handrails. In fact, repairs are one of the best teachers in this industry. We’ve seen what fails. We’ve seen what rots. We’ve seen what loosens up, sags, bounces, and becomes a safety concern.

The biggest offenders are almost always the same: rotted wood, failing stairs, and loose handrails.

Sometimes it’s poor construction practices. Sometimes it’s the natural deterioration of traditional materials. Most often, it’s a combination of both.

The good news is homeowners don’t have to settle for those problems anymore.

With today’s materials and a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t, we can build structures that perform at a completely different level than they did twenty years ago.

This dock was built using structural composite framing, composite decking, and stainless steel fasteners throughout. Every material was selected with one goal in mind: long-term performance in a harsh waterfront environment.

Nothing on this covered structure will rot.

Nothing is relying on untreated fasteners that will rust away over time.

Nothing was built with the expectation that it will need to be rebuilt in 10 or 15 years.

We build these projects the same way we’d want them built for our own families—with the expectation that they will be enjoyed for decades, not just until the warranty expires.

Because after performing so many repairs over the years, we’ve learned exactly what fails.

And we never want to get a call back on one of ours.

Built with structural composite framing. Composite decking. Stainless steel fasteners. Backed by a 50-year warranty. Built to stand the test of time.

07/23/2026

Why do we build slower than some other contractors?

Because we’re not just building for today.

We’re building so your investment performs the same years—even decades—from now.

This project is a perfect example.

Most people see a frame.

We see the foundation of everything that comes next.

This isn’t pressure-treated lumber or a pre-manufactured kit. This is structural composite framing, chosen because it won’t rot, warp, twist, or become a maintenance headache like traditional wood framing can in a waterfront environment.

Every joist is measured. Every layout is planned. Every fastener is selected for the job it’s intended to do.

We don’t use one bucket of screws from start to finish.

Structural framing gets structural fasteners.
Heavy timber gets heavy timber fasteners.
Decking gets decking screws.
When a through-bolt is the right choice, that’s what we install—not because it’s faster, but because it’s better.

Could we build faster?

Absolutely.

But faster isn’t our goal.

Our goal is for your deck to feel just as solid years from now as it does the day we hand you the keys. No sagging joists. No bouncy floors. No settling posts. No wondering if corners were cut where you can’t see them.

Most people will never notice the layout lines, the perfectly spaced framing, or the countless little decisions that go into a build like this.

But they’ll feel the difference every time they walk across it.

Just like the difference between a go-kart and a Rolls-Royce isn’t just what you see—it’s the engineering, craftsmanship, and attention to detail underneath.

That’s the standard we build to.

Because quality isn’t measured by how fast a project goes up. It’s measured by how well it stands the test of time.

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07/21/2026

Wood has its place—but it isn’t the only option anymore.

This project showcases one of our favorite alternatives: structural composite framing.

Unlike traditional pressure-treated lumber, composite framing won’t rot, twist, warp, split, or become a buffet for insects. It’s engineered for waterfront environments where moisture, sun, and changing lake levels take a constant toll on wood.

When paired with premium decking, you get a dock or deck that’s built to perform for decades with significantly less maintenance.

Is it the cheapest option? No.

But if you’re looking for:
✔️ Longer service life
✔️ Exceptional stability
✔️ Reduced maintenance
✔️ A cleaner, straighter finished product
✔️ A structure designed to withstand harsh waterfront conditions

…it’s hard to beat.

Every project is different, and we help our clients choose the framing system that best fits their goals and budget. Whether that’s pressure-treated lumber, aluminum, or structural composite framing, we’ll explain the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Build it once. Build it right.

07/16/2026

Wood and waterfront don’t get along.

That’s not an opinion—it’s just reality.

Every day your dock sits on the lake, it’s fighting moisture, UV exposure, changing water levels, freeze/thaw cycles, fungus, insects, and constant expansion and contraction. It’s one of the harshest environments you can build in.

No matter how well it’s built, wood is a consumable product. It checks. It twists. It splinters. It cracks. Fasteners loosen. Joists soften. Pilings decay. Boards eventually need replacing. Maintenance isn’t optional—it’s inevitable.

We’ve rebuilt enough docks to know the story. Most homeowners don’t call us because their dock suddenly failed. They call because the repairs never seem to end. One year it’s a few deck boards. Next year it’s joists. Then beams. Before long, they’ve spent thousands trying to keep an aging structure alive.

That’s why we’re building more and more docks with long-life structural materials that don’t rot, don’t become food for insects, and are backed by warranties measured in decades—not just years.

The initial investment may be higher, but when you compare that to years of staining, replacing boards, structural repairs, and constant maintenance, the long-term value speaks for itself.

We don’t build for today. We build for the next generation of lake memories.

Build it once. Build it to last.

07/14/2026

The other guy was a lot cheaper…”

I’ve heard it more times than I can count.

I’ll be looking at a dock or deck that needs major repairs, and the homeowner says, “We had it built a few years ago. It was a lot cheaper back then.”

My first question is usually, “Have you called the company that built it?”

The answer is surprisingly often…

“They’re not in business anymore.”

Exactly.

The lowest price isn’t always the lowest cost.

Running a legitimate construction company takes far more than a truck and a toolbox. It takes liability insurance, workers’ compensation, licensing, payroll, taxes, quality equipment, office staff, continuing education, permits, warranties, fuel, maintenance, safety training, and the ability to stand behind every project long after the final invoice is paid.

Those things aren’t “extra.” They’re what allow a company to answer the phone years later when you need them.

The reality is that many construction businesses never make it very far. Industry statistics consistently show that roughly one in five businesses fail within their first year, and about half don’t make it to five years. Construction is one of the toughest industries to survive because margins are often thin and the costs of doing business continue to rise.

So when you compare estimates, don’t just compare the bottom line.

Ask yourself:

* Will this company still be here in five or ten years?
* Are they properly licensed and insured?
* Do they have the experience to build it correctly the first time?
* Will they actually honor their warranty?
* Will they answer the phone if something needs attention?

We all love saving money. I do too.

But when it comes to your waterfront investment, deck, or home, you’re not just buying materials and labor—you’re investing in the company behind the work.

A quality project built by a stable company may cost more today, but it often costs far less over the life of the project.

Because the cheapest contractor is rarely the least expensive choice in the long run.

07/06/2026

A dock builder’s dream isn’t just building beautiful places on the water…

It’s this.

An empty lake at sunrise. The water like glass. The only sound is the engine and the birds waking up. Not another boat in sight.

These are the mornings that remind us why we do what we do.

We don’t just build docks. We build the place where your best mornings begin, where coffee tastes better, where the kids jump in all summer, and where family memories are made for years to come.

Lake life starts long before the crowds show up.

See you on the water.

07/04/2026

What’s better than a house in town? 🤔

A house on the lake.

What’s better than a house on the lake?

A house on the lake with a dock.

What’s better than a house on the lake with a dock?

A house on the lake with a dock… a boat… a cooler full of cold drinks… and a whole crew of friends and family making memories that last a lifetime.

Now that’s the American dream. 🇺🇸

Here’s to sunshine, boat rides, fireworks, and the people who make every day on the water worth remembering.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Lakeside Services LKJ! Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy every minute on the lake.