Hiring a Dock, Septic or Excavating Contractor Near Gananoque
Last updated: October 18, 2026
If you own waterfront or island property near Gananoque, the contractors who do docks, seawalls, septic and excavating are often the same few local companies. Two of them are listed here: Kehoe Marine Construction (docks, boat lifts, shoreline repair and septic pump-out and installation) and Slate's Marine Construction (docks, boathouses, seawalls, barging and excavating). Before you hire anyone, confirm which permits the job needs and who is responsible for getting them. That one question avoids most of the problems.
Who does dock, septic and excavating work near Gananoque?
These are the contractors in our directory whose own listings name this work. We have not ranked them, and a listing is not a recommendation. Call two or three and compare.
- Howard's Marine of Rockport110 Escott-Rockport Rd, Rockport, ON(613) 659-3485
- Kehoe Marine Construction507 Thousand Islands Pkwy, Ivy Lea (Lansdowne), ON(613) 659-4626
- Slate’s Marine Construction16 Reynolds Road, Unit 4, Leeds and the Thousand Islands(613) 802-3676
Their listed services, as the businesses gave them to us:
- See listing: septic pump-out, septic pumping, septic installation and septic systems; dock maintenance, repair and removal; floating dock removal; boat lifts (supply and installation); shoreline repair and erosion control; island and waterfront property services.
- See listing: floating docks, pile docks, boathouses, dock installation and removal, boat lift sales, seawalls, barging and island delivery, excavating, cottage caretaking, seasonal opening and closing, seasonal security checks and snow plowing.
For landscaping and site work on land rather than the water's edge, see See listing in Gananoque.
Which permits should you check before a dock or shoreline job?
It depends on the work and on whose land the lakebed is. The Province of Ontario says the beds of most water bodies are Crown land, managed under the Public Lands Act. It also says you do not need a work permit under that Act only if you can follow all of the rules it lists for the work, and that you need a permit if you cannot. Working without a required permit can lead to charges and fines. See the province's page on relocating rocks on shore lands for the rules and the application forms.
The Province's page also says the Public Lands Act does not apply to federal waterways such as the Trent-Severn and Rideau Canal. Other approvals can apply to in-water work, from the conservation authority, the municipality or federal agencies. We have not confirmed which apply to a given Thousand Islands property, so ask the Township and your contractor in writing.
Questions to ask any dock or shoreline contractor:
- Which permits does this job need, and who applies for them, you or me?
- Can I see the permit or approval before work starts?
- Does the quote include barging, delivery to an island property, and removal of the old structure?
- What is the schedule? Work on the water is seasonal.
What should you know before a septic pump-out or installation?
A general rule of thumb in Ontario is to pump a septic tank every three to five years, depending on how many people use it, the tank size and its condition. One municipal guide, from the Municipality of Greenstone, says the Ontario Building Code treats a tank as due when sludge reaches one third of the working capacity of the receiving chamber. See the Greenstone private septic systems page. Seasonal cottages that are used a few weeks a year can follow a different schedule, so ask the company that pumps yours what it sees when it opens the tank.
A new or replacement septic system is a building matter. Contact the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands building department before you sign a contract, and ask the contractor whether the price includes the permit application and any inspections. We could not confirm the current fees or process on the Township's website at the time of writing, so call rather than rely on this page.
How do you choose between an excavating and a marine contractor?
Work on land, such as grading, trenching and driveway or pad preparation, is excavating. Work at or below the water's edge, such as docks, seawalls and erosion control, is marine construction. Some local companies do both; Slate's lists excavating alongside seawalls and docks, and Kehoe lists shoreline repair and erosion control. If a job crosses the shoreline, ask one contractor to handle the whole scope so there is one point of contact for permits and scheduling.
Where can you read more on what to ask any contractor?
Our guide on verifying an Ontario contractor's licence covers the general habits that apply to any trade: ask for the business name and address, get the scope in writing and keep copies of permits.
Frequently asked questions
Who does dock repair near Gananoque?
Kehoe Marine Construction and Slate's Marine Construction both list dock work in our directory. Kehoe lists dock maintenance, repair and removal, and Slate's lists dock installation and removal.
Who does septic pump-out near Gananoque?
Kehoe Marine Construction lists septic pump-out, septic pumping, septic installation and septic systems. Call to confirm your property and schedule are covered.
Who does excavating near Gananoque?
Slate's Marine Construction lists excavating along with seawalls, docks and barging. We do not list a dedicated excavating company in Gananoque at this time.
Do I need a permit to build or repair a dock in Ontario?
Possibly. Ontario says you do not need a Public Lands Act work permit only if you can follow all the rules it lists for the work; otherwise you do. Other approvals can apply too. Ask the Township and your contractor which ones your job needs and who files them.