If you’re purchasing a Lake Hartwell home with a dock in place, your home inspection will not include that dock. You can account for visible issues such as bent or damaged steel and rotting boards when you make your initial offer, but most buyers do not find out about more serious issues until after they have closed on their new home. A professional dock company can identify damaged or missing floats or compromised cables that put the entire structure at risk. Additionally, they will be able to evaluate boat lifts, as well as the wheels and tires on the gangwalk. If a dock is fairly new and the seller is able to say who manufactured it, you may be able to have the same company inspect it for you.
If the seller has not already provided a courtesy inspection report from their Corps ranger, you should request it. This document will show any current violations that may prevent you from having the dock permit reassigned, and it will include instructions and contact information for the ranger. If your new dock has electricity on it, you will need to have a licensed electrician prepare a new wiring diagram for you to submit with your application to have the dock permit reassigned. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend licensed electricians who have experience preparing these documents for the Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are interested in obtaining an independent dock inspection, a list of Lake Hartwell dock companies is provided below.
