New boathouses
Boathouses built for one property and one family, planned around the boats you keep, how you reach the water and how the building looks from the lake and from the house.
SERVICES
RESIDENTIAL
Boathouses
Boathouses and structures at the water's edge, planned together with the property and the home, from early planning through construction, on the lakes we serve in Kawartha Lakes.
01 / OVERVIEWBOATHOUSES
BOATHOUSES
A boathouse planned with the whole property
A boathouse sits where the property meets the water. It is part of how the lot is used every day: storing the boat, getting onto the lake, and often a place to sit and enjoy the view.
Henley Contracting builds boathouses as part of the waterfront work we do on the lakes we serve in Kawartha Lakes. We plan each one around the shoreline, the way you use the water and the home or cottage above it, so the property works as a whole.
Building at the water's edge takes more care than building on dry land. The shoreline, access for equipment and the approvals the property needs all shape what can be built, so they are worth understanding before the design is settled.
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01 / SHORELINE
The water's edge and the ground beside it come first.
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02 / DESIGN
A boathouse sized and styled to suit the property and the home.
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03 / PLANNING
Approvals, scope, budget and schedule worked out early.
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04 / CONSTRUCTION
One team on site, with clear updates from start to finish.
02 / WHAT WE BUILDBOATHOUSES
Boathouse projects we take on
Boathouses with space above
Boathouses with a deck or a room above the boat storage, where the property and its approvals allow. The space above is often where the family spends the most time by the water.
Boathouses planned with a new home or cottage
When a new home or cottage is being built, planning the boathouse at the same time keeps the design consistent and the construction better organised. See Waterfront Homes and Custom Cottages.
Other structures at the water
Other buildings near the shoreline, planned with the rest of the property. For garages, workshops and buildings elsewhere on the lot, see Garages & Accessory Buildings.
03 / APPROACHBOATHOUSES
What matters when planning a boathouse
Six things shape every boathouse. Working through them early keeps the design, the budget and the schedule pointing in the same direction.
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01
Shoreline
The water's edge, the depth and the ground conditions where the boathouse will sit.
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02
Approvals
Structures at the water may come with their own approvals and requirements. They vary by municipality and by property, and are worth confirming before the design depends on them.
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03
Use
The boats and equipment you keep, how you get onto the water and whether you want space above.
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04
Design
A building that suits the home and the property, seen from the lake as much as from the shore.
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05
Access
How equipment, materials and crews reach the shoreline, and how that changes through the seasons.
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06
Timing
When you hope to use the boathouse, and the order in which decisions need to be made to get there.
04 / IN FOCUSBOATHOUSES
Planning a boathouse with the property
A boathouse is easiest to plan as part of the whole property rather than on its own. Where the path to the water runs, how the boathouse looks from the house and how it fits with the shoreline all affect each other.
That is why we look at the property first. On a lot with an existing home or cottage, the boathouse is planned to suit it. On a lot where a new home is coming, both can be planned together.
- The shoreline and the ground beside it
- How you reach the boathouse from the house
- How it looks from the lake and from the home
- The approvals for structures at the water on your property
- Access for equipment and materials at the shoreline
If you are not sure yet what the property allows, we can talk it through with you before plans are drawn. See Design-Build & Planning.
05 / PROCESSBOATHOUSES
How a boathouse project works
At the water's edge, decisions made in a hurry on site cost more than they would elsewhere. We work to avoid that by getting involved before construction starts.
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Discover
Tell us about the property, what you want to build and roughly when. Tell us about your project. It takes a minute.
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Plan
We look at the shoreline, access to the site, your goals, any plans you already have and the budget range you are working within, and turn your ideas into a clear scope.
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Design
Plans are developed or refined alongside your designer and other specialists, so design, approval and construction questions are answered together, then priced and scheduled.
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Build
Our project team, carpenters and trusted trades build the boathouse, with the work planned around access to the shoreline. You are kept informed at every stage.
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Complete
Final details, a walkthrough together, and the handover of your finished boathouse.
Already have plans? We can review them with you and price the build.
06 / SERVICE AREASBOATHOUSES
Where we build boathouses
Not sure whether your property is in our area? Tell us about your project and we will let you know.
Lake areas
We build boathouses on these lakes, as part of the waterfront homes and cottages we build there.
07 / WHY HENLEYBOATHOUSES
Why owners build boathouses with Henley
Property-first thinking
We start with the shoreline and the lot, and plan the boathouse to suit them.
Clear project planning
Scope, budget, approvals and schedule are worked through before construction begins.
Planned with the home
The boathouse is designed to suit the home or cottage, so the property works as a whole.
Construction coordination
Our project team, carpenters and trusted trades work together through the whole build, with clear updates from start to finish.
Regional experience
A family-run, local builder with our head office in Oshawa, building in town and on the water across Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes.
RELATED PROJECTSBOATHOUSES
Selected projects
Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes
QUESTIONSBOATHOUSES
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Tell us about your project and ask us directly.
What is involved in building a boathouse?
A boathouse project moves through a few stages: understanding the shoreline and how you use the water, confirming the approvals the property needs, developing or refining the plans, pricing and scheduling the work, construction, and a final walkthrough and handover.
What approvals does a boathouse need?
It depends on the municipality and the property. Structures at the water may come with their own approvals and requirements, so we recommend confirming them early, before the design depends on them. We can help you work out what your property needs as part of planning.
Can a boathouse have a deck or room above it?
On some properties, yes. Whether space above the boat storage is possible depends on the property and its approvals, so it is one of the first things we look at during planning.
Can you build a boathouse at the same time as a new cottage?
Yes. Planning the boathouse together with a new home or cottage keeps the design consistent and the construction better organised. See Waterfront Homes and Custom Cottages.
Where do you build boathouses?
On the lakes we serve in Kawartha Lakes, as part of our waterfront work there. They are listed on this page under Where we build. If you are not sure whether your property is in our area, tell us where it is through Start Your Project.
When should I contact a builder about a boathouse?
As early as you can. The shoreline, approvals and access all shape what can be built, so it helps to involve a builder while plans are still taking shape. If your plans are complete, we can review them with you and price the build.
What should I have ready before starting a boathouse project?
It helps to know the property address or location, what you want to build, your rough timing and the investment range you have in mind. Surveys, plans or photos of the shoreline are useful if you have them, but you do not need them to start the conversation.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE
Tell us about your project.
A few details is all we need. Sarah from our office will text you shortly from (905) 576-9714.
