Bulkheads Built for the Back Bay
Stop erosion, protect your property, and stand up to every storm season.
A bulkhead is a structural sea wall that holds back the soil of your yard and shields your shoreline from erosion, tides, and storm surge. On the back bays it’s the one thing every waterfront property depends on — and the last thing you want to fail.
We build new and replacement bulkheads in vinyl, timber, and composite, complete with the cap, tie-backs, and backfill that make the wall last. You obtain the borough and NJDEP permits, and we help you through that process every step of the way.
- New builds & replacements
- Vinyl, timber & composite
- Help with the permit process
Based in Brigantine, we handle bulkheads in Brigantine and across the South Jersey shore, including Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, Ocean City, and Absecon.
Built for the Brigantine back bay
Brigantine’s back-bay lagoons see a real tidal swing, and at dead-low tide the base of your bulkhead is exposed to the weather, the current, and the marine borers that eat old timber. A wall that isn’t built for those conditions starts leaning, bowing, and washing soil out behind the cap.
Nor’easters and storm surge push water — and pressure — hard against the wall. A properly engineered bulkhead with the right tie-backs and backfill protects your yard, your foundation, and a huge share of your waterfront property’s value. Most shore towns now also set a minimum bulkhead height for new and replacement walls.
What to expect
- Consult & measure: We visit your property, measure the shoreline, check water depth, and talk through materials and budget.
- Permits & design: You obtain the borough and NJDEP permits — we walk you through what’s required and provide the project details, while we spec the wall for your conditions.
- Build: We drive the sheet-pile or timber, set the cap and tie-backs, and keep the job site clean throughout.
- Backfill & done: We backfill behind the wall, grade it out, and leave you with a shoreline built to last.
Materials & options
- Vinyl sheet-pile: The most common modern choice on the back bays — it won’t rot or corrode, keeps a clean look, and lasts roughly 30–50 years. Compare vinyl vs. timber bulkheads.
- Timber: Traditional pressure-treated construction where it fits the property and the budget.
- Composite: A premium option that pairs the durability of vinyl with a heavier, natural look.
- Cap, tie-backs & backfill: Every wall gets a finished cap, deadman tie-backs that anchor it against soil pressure, and proper backfill so it stays put.
Typical cost
$700–$1,200 per linear foot. Typical for residential bulkheads in the Brigantine back bays. Your final price depends on wall height, water depth, access, and materials — you get a firm written number after a free on-site measure. No guesswork. See the full bulkhead replacement cost guide.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a bulkhead in Brigantine?
Yes — bulkhead work generally requires both borough and NJDEP approvals. The property owner is responsible for obtaining the permits, and we’re happy to assist you throughout the process so nothing gets missed. Our NJ dock and bulkhead permit guide explains each approval.
How much does a bulkhead cost?
Most residential bulkheads in the Brigantine back bays run roughly $700–$1,200 per linear foot depending on wall height, water depth, access, and materials. We give you a firm written price after a free on-site measure. See what a bulkhead costs in South Jersey.
How high does my new bulkhead have to be?
Most shore towns set a minimum top elevation for bay and lagoon bulkheads — roughly 7 to 9 ft NAVD88 depending on the town. See our bulkhead height requirements by town.
How do I know if my bulkhead needs replacing?
Leaning, sinkholes behind the wall, and soil washing out at low tide are the big warning signs. Here are the 7 signs your bulkhead is failing.
Vinyl or timber bulkhead?
Vinyl sheet-pile is our most-recommended option — it won’t rot or corrode and typically outlasts timber. Timber still makes sense on some properties, and we’ll walk you through the trade-offs honestly.
How long does a vinyl bulkhead last?
A properly installed vinyl bulkhead lasts roughly 30–50 years. Timber walls typically last 20–30 years depending on exposure.
How long does the project take?
Permitting is the main variable. Once permits are in hand, the on-water work is often completed in one to three weeks, weather and tides permitting.