When Is The Best Time To Purchase A New Dock or Boat Lift?

Northern MN Could Have A Late Ice Out

We're heading into the month of April and you can be sure of two things; 1.) The snow and Ice will eventually melt opening up the lake for your enjoyment, and, 2.) Smart waterfront property owners have either already planned and ordered their new dock or lift, or they are wrapping up their choices right now before March ends, and before the huge spring rush to get all of that new waterfront equipment installed in the water. Those waterfront property owners that have already ordered their new docks and lifts have afforded themselves the best opportunity to kick off the 2023 boating season with a new dock or lift (or accessories), and minimal, or zero delays to the start of their summer on the lake, because they are typically first in line when in comes to installation. If you are still waiting to purchase your new dock or lift, you not only risk the potential for product delays, but you will also struggle to find installers squeezing you into their already overbooked schedules.

"Last Summer Was Tough On New Waterfront Property Owners"

Although Lake Area Docks & Lifts keeps a healthy amount of inventory in stock all year of nearly every type and model of ShoreMaster Infinity Dock Systems and Vertical and Hydraulic boat lifts, and LA sectional and Truss Wheel-In docks. Some waterfront property owners have been surprised to learn that there are typically 2 - 3 week wait times (or longer depending on the time of year) to have their new dock or boat lift assembled, delivered, and / or installed. That length of time grows as you get into April, May, and June, and then might become a bit shorter heading into July and August.
Customer demand is driving most of this as waterfront property and real estate have been changing hands quickly as people look to the lakes to spend more of their time, especially with work from home arrangements now very common with a lot of employers.
Naturally, many folks are either looking to purchase their first waterfront property, or they are selling their home in Fargo or Minneapolis and moving to their lake home or cabin in the heart of Minnesota's Lakes country. 
With new waterfront property owners, many are finding out that it can be difficult to shop for and get that new dock or lift purchased and installed late in the season, for instance, when they don't close on their new waterfront property until April, May, or June. In those situations, many other waterfront equipment retailers may have already sold through their limited inventory. At Lake Area Docks & Lifts, we can often times help those customers because we strive to keep new and used docks and lifts in stock all season long even beyond the colder months of November and December. As a matter of fact, winter (October through February) can be some of the best times to purchase your new dock or lift, or even explore accessories for your existing equipment.
​When you visit us at Lake Area Docks & Lifts during the colder months in the off season, you'll find that our showrooms are open (some locations by appointment only) and you'll find our sales staff have more time to spend helping you find the perfect product, without all of the distraction that happens in the spring and summer months. You'll more than likely to get the best service possible, and you'll definitely be able to ensure that you'll be able to get your equipment in time to kick start summer.

What is The Best Way To Start Looking For Docks and Lifts?

When asked about the best way for new waterfront property owners to begin looking at new docks or boat lifts, Lake Area Docks & Lifts owner, Donavan Rasmusson said "Just call or stop into any one of our stores, that is really the simplest way, we have everything in stock, customers can look, touch, and feel the docks and boat lifts, and really see the quality of the ShoreMaster products. Beyond that, shop a little online. But when you are ready to buy, the absolute best way to buy your waterfront equipment is in person, from someone you know and trust, and maybe that even lives in your community, or maybe even on or near your lake. Our store managers all live and play on the water, or they are out there working with docks and lifts every day, so they will absolutely understand what you are looking for and can help make your experience enjoyable." 

Rasmusson also said "Last summer was tough on new waterfront property owners that closed on their properties later in the summer. We were able to help our customers out, but it sounds like a lot of manufacturers and dealers ran out of inventory early in the year and couldn't satisfy some of that late season demand."

Do I Still Have Time To Purchase My Dock and Lift and Have It Installed This Spring?

You absolutely still have time to purchase your new dock or lift and have it installed this spring. But if you are reading this in April, and you still haven't pulled the trigger on your new waterfront equipment, you really are running out of time to make sure that you can take advantage of every ice-free day on the water that's available this summer, because you are already several months behind other waterfront property owners who have already planned, designed, and purchased their waterfront equipment. So, if you are still on the fence about whether or not to finally buy that new dock or lift, don't wait any longer, now is the time to finalize the decision, so you can relax while the snow and ice melts, knowing that you will in fact be out on the water early this spring and summer.

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