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Ameren Certified Dock Builders at Lake of the Ozarks

The complete public list of Ameren CDB-certified boat dock builders for Lake of the Ozarks. Refreshed quarterly from Ameren Missouri's official roster.

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CDB Primer

What Is an Ameren CDB?

Certifying body
Ameren Missouri Shoreline Management
Roster size
70 active builders (as of July 2, 2026)
Authority basis
FERC license to operate Lake of the Ozarks

An Ameren-Certified Dock Builder (CDB) is a contractor on Ameren Missouri's official roster of approved boat dock builders for Lake of the Ozarks. CDB status is the regulatory gate for new dock construction at Lake of the Ozarks, dock modifications, slip additions, refoaming, and most roof additions at the Lake. Without a CDB-submitted permit application, Ameren won't issue the permit, which means the work can't legally proceed.

To earn and hold CDB status, a builder demonstrates dock construction capability, carries appropriate liability insurance, accepts Ameren's shoreline rules and inspection process, and stays in active good standing with the permit office. CDB numbers are issued in order of certification, and nearly 200 have been issued over the program's history. A CDB-7 has been on the roster since the program's early years; a CDB-190 is a newer addition. Not every number issued remains active, which is why the current roster is shorter than the highest CDB number.

The CDB program exists because Ameren operates Lake of the Ozarks under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license. Ameren is responsible for shoreline integrity, navigation safety, and environmental compliance across the Lake's 1,150 miles. The CDB program is how Ameren ensures only qualified builders work on dock structures that touch the shoreline.

See Ameren's official program page at ameren.com/missouri. The published CDB roster is updated as builders are added or removed.

Shoreline Rules

Ameren Shoreline Management Explained

Ameren Missouri operates the Lake under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. That license makes Ameren responsible for the shoreline, and the framework it uses is the Shoreline Management Plan. The plan governs what can be built and done along the water: boat docks and their footprints, shoreline vegetation, erosion control, seawalls, and general shoreline use. It is the reason dock work at the Lake is regulated rather than open.

The practical takeaway for a property owner is simple. Any new dock, modification, slip addition, refoaming, or most roof additions needs an Ameren permit, and that permit can only be filed by an Ameren-Certified Dock Builder. The CDB confirms your project fits inside your permitted shoreline zone, prepares the application, and submits it to Ameren's permit office. Starting permit-required work without that filing risks an Ameren order to remove the work at your expense.

Ameren publishes the Shoreline Management Plan and the current CDB roster on its official program page. Browse the directory below, or see the full process in the dock permit guide and the CDB certification explainer.

Get Matched

Get Matched With the Right CDB for Your Project

The full Ameren CDB list runs about 70 active builders. Not every CDB is right for every project. Cove geography, project type, lead time, and the builder's day-to-day specialty all matter. Tell us your project. We will connect you with the CDB best suited to your cove, project size, and timeline.

  • ✓ No upfront cost
  • ✓ Free on-site assessment
  • ✓ Written quote in your hand
  • ✓ CDB status you can verify with Ameren

Directory

Ameren CDB Directory

Ameren's roster runs about 70 certified builders. Most Lake of the Ozarks homeowners don't know which of them actually work their specific cove, carry the right insurance for lake structures, and have open calendar time this season.

That is exactly what our free matching service is for. Use the list below to see the field, then let us do the hard part: matching your cove, project type, and timeline to the right Ameren-certified builder. It is not a shopping list, it is the reason to start with one free request.

Free matching service

Skip the guesswork. We match you to the right CDB for your cove, project, and timeline.

Match Me With a CDB

Source: Ameren Missouri published CDB roster. Contact details for each builder are available on Ameren's official list. Last updated July 2, 2026. Listing 70 Ameren-certified dock builders.

Home area is where the business is based, not a guarantee of coverage for your specific cove. Our free match uses cove, project type, and calendar fit.

Showing all 70 builders

This directory reproduces Ameren Missouri's public Certified Dock Builder roster for reference. Inclusion is informational and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by Compass Camper LLC. Listings show only Ameren-published public data (company name, CDB number, and office city). We do not publish builder contact details, reviews, or ratings. Contact information for every certified builder is available on Ameren's official CDB list. Verify current CDB status with Ameren before hiring.

One free request

Seen enough? Tell us your project and we will connect you with the right Ameren-certified builder.

Match Me With a CDB

Choosing a Builder

How to Choose a CDB Builder

CDB status is a baseline, not a differentiator. Every builder on the roster has cleared Ameren's bar. The right CDB for your specific project depends on six factors.

01

Cove and corridor experience

A CDB who works the Glaize Arm every week may be a poor fit for a Big Niangua project, simply because they don't know the cove's geography or have a barge route worked out. Ask any candidate CDB how recently they completed a project in your specific cove or town.

02

Project type fit

Some CDBs specialize in premium new builds. Others focus on refoaming and repair work. Others are best on slip additions and lift installs. Match the CDB's day-to-day work to your project type. A premium builder is usually overqualified and overpriced for a simple refoaming job; a repair-focused CDB may not have the design capacity for a 50x50 build.

03

Realistic lead times

Peak season (March through August) sees stretched calendars. Off-season (September through February) moves faster. Ask any candidate CDB for a realistic start date and project completion estimate. If the answer feels too good to be true, it probably is. CDBs who promise faster timelines than the corridor norm often deliver late.

04

Written warranty terms

Insist on a written workmanship warranty in the contract. Verbal warranties don't survive turnover at the builder's company. The warranty should specify covered items, exclusions, duration, and the warranty contact. Common Lake of the Ozarks warranties run 1 to 5 years on labor, with manufacturer warranties on materials (often 10 to 25 years).

05

References and recent work

Ask for 2 to 3 recent project references in your area. A reputable CDB will provide them readily. Drive past the references' docks if possible. The dock you see is the dock you'll get. Pay attention to finish quality, hardware spec, and general workmanship rather than just the dock's overall size.

06

Permit handling capacity

Confirm that the CDB will handle the Ameren permit application on your behalf and at no separate charge (permit handling is typically included in the build quote). Some smaller CDBs charge a separate permit fee or expect the homeowner to handle parts of the application. Get this clarified in writing before signing.

Red flags to walk away from

  • ! The builder cannot provide their CDB number. Walk away.
  • ! Cash-only pricing or pressure to pay in full upfront. Walk away.
  • ! No written quote, just a verbal estimate. Walk away.
  • ! No proof of liability insurance. Walk away.
  • ! Pressure to sign immediately without comparison quotes. Walk away.
  • ! No warranty in writing. Walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ameren CDB certification and how to use this directory.

What is an Ameren CDB?

An Ameren-Certified Dock Builder (CDB) is a contractor on Ameren Missouri's official roster of approved boat dock builders for Lake of the Ozarks. To earn CDB status, a builder demonstrates structural construction capability, holds appropriate insurance, agrees to Ameren's shoreline rules and inspection process, and stays in active good standing with Ameren's permit office. CDB numbers are issued in order of certification, so a CDB-7 has been on the roster longer than a CDB-150.

Why is the CDB requirement important?

Ameren Missouri operates Lake of the Ozarks under a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license. Ameren requires that any new dock, dock modification, slip addition, or refoaming permit application be submitted by a CDB. Hiring a non-CDB for permit-required work means the permit can't be filed, which means the work can't legally happen. Ameren can order removal of unpermitted dock work at the property owner's expense.

Can a non-CDB contractor work on my dock at all?

For pure repair work that doesn't touch the dock's structure or flotation (decking replacement, hardware swap, cable replacement), a non-CDB can technically do the work. But most owners hire a CDB anyway because (1) CDBs carry liability insurance specific to lake work, (2) any future modification or refoaming will need a CDB-submitted permit, and (3) CDBs know the corridor's typical failure modes and warranty conventions.

How often is the Ameren CDB list updated?

Ameren Missouri maintains and publishes the official CDB roster on its shoreline management page. The list is updated as builders are added (newly certified) or removed (lapsed certification, business closure, or program violation). We refresh the directory below from Ameren's published roster on a quarterly basis.

How do I verify a builder's CDB status?

Three options. First, check Ameren's official shoreline management page, which publishes the current CDB list. Second, ask the builder directly for their CDB number and verify it against Ameren's roster. Third, ask Ameren's permit office directly, since they can confirm active CDB status by phone or email. The Ameren-certified builders we connect you with all carry current CDB status that you can verify by any of these methods.

What if my builder loses their CDB certification mid-project?

Rare, but it happens. If a CDB loses certification while your project is in progress, ongoing permit applications would need a different CDB to submit. Work already completed under the original CDB's permit is grandfathered. The builders we route projects to all have current good-standing CDB status at the time of routing, but for very long projects (premium 50x50 builds running 9+ months), confirm CDB status quarterly with the builder.

What is Ameren's Shoreline Management Plan?

It is the framework Ameren Missouri uses to manage the Lake of the Ozarks shoreline under its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The plan governs boat docks and their footprints, shoreline vegetation, erosion control, seawalls, and general shoreline use. In practice, it is why any new dock, modification, slip addition, refoaming, or most roof additions needs an Ameren permit, and why that permit can only be filed by an Ameren-Certified Dock Builder. The CDB confirms your project sits inside your permitted shoreline zone before submitting the application.

Ready to be matched with an Ameren-certified builder?

Tell us your cove and your project. We connect you with the right CDB for the job, at no charge. Call (573) 742-2437 or send your details.

Get My Free Quote (573) 742-2437
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