What should you bring to the first visit?
For a Merritt Island canal property, collect the survey, old marine permit and any dock or lift plans. Brevard’s current marine checklist asks for a survey prepared within 180 days for an application; that is an application requirement, not a claim that every assessment needs a new survey.
For a Cocoa or Cocoa Beach parcel, use the city record system. Keep the permit number, approved scope and final inspection together. A permit entry marked issued does not prove construction was completed.
Brevard County residential marine construction · Cocoa Building and Permitting · Ldc Chapter Iv Article Ii Building Permit Application Procedures
Choose the question before booking the visit
Describe a visible concern
Send dated photos from safe ground, the affected wall segment and what changed. Ask whether the visit will produce a written condition report or only a construction estimate.
Resolve a hidden condition
If the first visit cannot assess anchors, submerged parts or a suspected void, ask what investigation is needed, who performs it and what separate authorization it requires.
Plan the proposed change
Raising a wall, changing its alignment or adding nearby loads creates a design question. Ask who will evaluate the proposed arrangement and provide the documents for review.
Home Inspectors – FAQs · Guide to Concrete Repair, second edition (2015)
A crack is an observation, not the diagnosis
Photograph the same location from safe ground. Note whether the defect is in the cap, a panel or a joint, and whether it has changed. Ask the assessor to distinguish surface deterioration from movement or corrosion that needs further investigation.
Reclamation’s repair guide makes diagnosis part of repair selection. A cosmetic patch and a structural repair do different jobs; a proposal should explain which is being offered.
Where is the soil going?
Mark the location of new depressions without stepping onto suspect ground. Ask whether the investigation covers panel joints, drainage outlets, utility trenches and runoff from the yard. The visible hole may not show the full affected area.
- Record when settlement appeared and whether rain or unusual water levels preceded it.
- Ask what evidence separates leakage through the wall from another drainage or utility issue.
- Request an explanation of how any treatment will preserve intended drainage.
Brevard County residential marine construction · Brevard environmental permitting review process
What if the wall is leaning or the ground is opening?
Keep people, vehicles and stored materials away from the affected edge. Ask a qualified professional to define the immediate access restrictions and investigation. Do not use this guide to test the wall by pushing it, digging beside it or loading the cap.
The written report should distinguish visible alignment from the condition of concealed anchors, embedment and submerged components. If those were not examined, the report should say so.
Separate lagoon conditions from ocean conditions
Nicole’s county record describes damage to docks and marinas from elevated intracoastal water and wave action. A sheltered-looking property can still need a post-storm review. That historical record does not give your wall a design elevation.
Photograph the shoreline and adjacent drainage before debris is moved, when safe. Keep prior photos so the examiner can identify changes instead of guessing at age.
What should the deliverable include?
| Item | Useful detail |
|---|---|
Coverage | Wall segments, visible and submerged areas inspected, methods and access limits. |
Findings | Locations, photographs, evidence of change and unresolved questions. |
Next work | Further investigation, repair options and the basis for any recommendation. |
Permissions | The parcel jurisdiction and approvals to discuss before construction. |
Compare the report with repair and replacement options and the local records checklist.
Show sourcesHide sources
- Brevard County residential marine constructionSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Cocoa Building and PermittingSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Ldc Chapter Iv Article Ii Building Permit Application ProceduresSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Home Inspectors – FAQsSource reviewed 2026-10-26
- Guide to Concrete Repair, second edition (2015)Source reviewed 2026-10-26
- Brevard environmental permitting review processSource reviewed 2026-10-26
- NOAA Storm Events: Brevard coastal flooding during NicoleSource reviewed 2026-10-25