Find the Best Directional Boring Services Near You

The first stage consists of directionally drilling a small diameter pilot hole along a designed directional path. The second stage involves enlarging this pilot hole to a diameter suitable for installation of the pipeline. The third stage consists of pulling the pipeline back into the enlarged hole.

Directional boring is a highly efficient method of placing ducts and microduct bundles in established commercial and residential areas. This method involves boring pits at predetermined spacing intervals with minimal disruption of paved or landscaped surfaces.

Typically, a directional bore path requires approximately 1.5 metres of horizontal distance for every 0.3 metres of vertical depth change; this is referred to as the setback. The setback required for a directional bore at a depth of 1.5 metres below the ground surface would be 7.5 metres.

Directional boring is used for installing infrastructure such as telecom and power cable conduits, water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, oil lines, product pipelines, and environmental remediation casings.

How accurate is directional drilling? Directional drilling is a very precise process. In order to hit the target depth, the drill bit must be within one or two degrees of the desired angle.

Polyethylene pipe is the pipe of choice for trenchless installations using directional drilling. It's flexibility, strength and fused joints, as strong as the original pipe itself, make it ideal for HDD applications.

Directional boring costs vary widely, typically ranging from $20 to $250+ per metre, depending on the project’s length, depth, soil conditions, and complexity. Short, straightforward bores are cheaper, while longer, deeper, or technically challenging bores cost more.

Factors affecting cost:

• Bore length and depth: Longer or deeper bores require more time, equipment, and labour.
• Soil and terrain: Rocky or clay-heavy ground is more expensive to bore than soft soil.
• Diameter and complexity: Larger diameters, curved paths, or obstacles (e.g., utilities) increase costs.
• Location: Urban areas or sites with high labour costs may incur higher rates.
• Additional costs: Equipment hire, traffic management, and site preparation can add $500–$2,000 per day.

For accurate pricing, a professional contractor should assess the specific site and project requirements.

The maximum distance for directional boring depends on the equipment, bore diameter, soil conditions, and project requirements.

Typical ranges:

• Small utility bores: Short bores up to 50–100 m are common for residential or light commercial projects.
• Medium-scale bores: Larger projects for water, gas, or electrical conduits can reach 200–500 m with standard equipment.
• Long-distance or specialised bores: With advanced rigs and favourable soil, bores can exceed 1 km, often requiring multiple entry/exit pits, intermediate reaming, or specialised drilling fluids.

Soil type, obstacles, and bore diameter strongly influence feasible distances, so engineering assessment and planning are essential for long or complex directional bores.

Yes, directional boring is specifically designed to install pipes, cables, or conduits under roads, railways, and other obstacles without open trenching.

Key points:

• Minimal surface disruption: The bore is created underground, preserving the road surface and reducing traffic interruptions.
• Depth and planning: Bore depth is carefully planned to maintain clearance from utilities and ensure structural integrity.
• Applications: Commonly used for water, sewer, gas, electrical, and telecommunications lines under roads, highways, or driveways.
• Safety and permits: Local council or utility approvals may be required, and contractors must follow safety standards for underground drilling.

Directional boring provides an efficient, low-impact solution for crossing roads compared with traditional excavation methods.

Directional boring can install a wide range of pipe sizes, from small conduits to large-diameter pipes, depending on the bore diameter and equipment used.

Typical pipe size ranges:

• Small-scale projects: 20–100 mm diameter pipes for electrical conduits, fibre optic, or small water lines.
• Medium-scale projects: 100–300 mm pipes for water, sewer, or gas mains.
• Large-scale projects: Up to 600 mm or more for major water, stormwater, or industrial pipelines, often requiring specialised rigs and intermediate reaming.

The final pipe size depends on soil conditions, bore length, and intended application, and contractors may use reaming or casing techniques to accommodate larger diameters.