Take safe photos of the full shoreline and problem areas
Include wide views plus close views of leaning, cracks, gaps, washout, settlement, soil loss, drainage outlets, end erosion, or displaced material.
Shoreline project readiness
Before You Call a Seawall or Bulkhead Contractor
The visible wall may not be the whole problem. Document what the shoreline is doing, what is at risk, and what has already been permitted before locking into a construction solution.
12 shoreline-readiness checksSolution-neutral first stepPrint or share with a homeowner / Realtor
Use it this way: Use the checklist to separate the observed problem from the proposed solution. That makes it easier to know whether the first call should be a marine contractor, engineer, surveyor, shoreline specialist, or permitting professional.
Living shoreline vs. seawall →Problem
Document what the shoreline is doing
Start with the failure pattern instead of assuming the answer is automatically a new wall.
Write down when you first noticed the change
Note whether it followed a storm, high-water event, drainage change, neighboring work, or has progressed slowly over time.
Identify what is close to the shoreline
House, pool, road, utilities, septic, landscaping, dock access, and property lines can change urgency and design constraints.
Find records for the existing wall, bulkhead, revetment, or shoreline project
Old permits, drawings, invoices, repairs, surveys, and photos help a professional understand what exists and what was previously authorized.
Solution
Keep the first conversation solution-neutral
The useful question is what stabilization approach fits the site and problem—not merely who can replace the visible structure fastest.
Ask the pro to explain the likely failure/erosion mechanism
A credible proposal should connect the recommended work to the observed problem rather than only quote a structure.
Ask whether repair, reconstruction, revetment, drainage work, or a living-shoreline approach should be considered
Living shorelines are encouraged by SCDES in suitable estuarine settings, but eligibility and design are site-specific.
SCDES Living Shorelines ↗Ask whether a current Critical Area Line or survey work is needed
Some erosion-control and living-shoreline projects require a current Department-certified Critical Area Line before permitting or design can proceed.
Clarify whether engineering, surveying, or permitting help is part of the team
Shoreline projects can require more than a construction contractor. Make professional roles explicit before comparing proposals.
Proposal
Compare the same scope and permit assumptions
Ask every serious bidder to be explicit about limits, unknowns, and responsibility.
Ask which coastal permit path the proposed work is expected to use
New work, maintenance, and qualifying same-size reconstruction can follow different SCDES paths. The agency makes the final determination.
SCDES Critical Area Permitting ↗Clarify project limits and tie-ins
Know where the work starts/ends, how it meets neighboring or existing structures, and whether drainage or upland restoration is included.
Get the structural/material assumptions in writing
The proposal should identify the system being priced and material assumptions clearly enough to compare competing bids.
Confirm excavation, access, disposal, landscaping, and restoration responsibilities
A shoreline price can look very different depending on what happens to disturbed upland areas and removed material.
When the checklist surfaces a real project
Organize the shoreline problem before matching.
Upload photos or describe what is changing. Shoreline can structure the project lane and surface the right type of professional.
Tell Shoreline what I need →Primary sources
Use the official source for the final answer.
SCDESLiving ShorelinesCurrent living-shoreline eligibility, planning, and permit guidanceSCDESCritical Area PermittingCurrent state coastal permit framework for shoreline work
Sources reviewed September 13, 2026. Requirements can change and site-specific decisions belong to the responsible agency or qualified professional.