How much does directional boring cost per foot?
How much does directional boring cost per foot?
$10 – $30 cost per linear foot
$1,000 – $3,000 average total cost to bore 100’
Directional boring cost
Directional boring costs $10 to $30 per linear foot or $1,000 to $9,000 total on average. Underground directional boring or horizontal directional drilling prices depend on the location and ground conditions. Drilling through rock or under a driveway costs more than soft soil or small residential projects.
| Length | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 10' | $100 – $300 |
| 25' | $250 – $750 |
| 50' | $500 – $1,500 |
| 100' | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 125' | $1,250 – $3,750 |
| 150' | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| 200' | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 250' | $2,500 – $7,500 |
Directional boring cost per foot
Horizontal directional drilling costs $10 to $30 per linear foot on average, depending on the location and project type.
| Location | Average cost per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Directional boring - rural | $5 – $20 |
| Directional boring - urban | $10 – $20 |
| Directional boring - rock | $15 – $75 |
| 2” Conduit pipe | $10 – $20 |
Horizontal directional drilling cost estimate by project
| Type | Average cost per linear foot installed | Average total cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage system | $10 – $30 | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Electrical | $6 – $14 | $850 – $2,500 |
| Gas pipes | $12 – $25 | $350 – $1,000+ |
| Retaining wall | $40 – $300 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Sewage system | $25 – $100 | $1,000 – $4,300 |
| Water lines | $30 – $50 | $800 – $3,000 |
| HVAC system | $3 – $6 per square foot | $5,000 – $11,000 |
| Foundation cost | $5 – $30 per square foot | $5,100 – $19,350 |
Water line boring cost
Replacing a water main costs $30 to $50 per linear foot or $800 to $2,000, depending on the pipe material used and the distance from the home to a water supply. Installing and connecting a new water line costs $1,700 to $3,000on average.
Other plumbing projects that may require boring include:
Sprinkler system installation costs $1,800 to $5,200 total or $500 to $1,000 per zone.
Swimming pool installation costs $28,000 to $55,000 and may require directional boring for water or electrical lines.
Well drilling costs $25 to $61 per foot or $3,750 to $15,300 on average.
Well pump replacement costs $400 to $2,500.
Underground electrical boring prices
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour on average. Installing underground electrical wiring requires boring and minimizes the chance of a power outage. Underground boring prices are typically higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
Other electrical projects that may require boring include:
Replacing an electrical panel costs $850 to $2,500 and may require a new conduit when upgrading to a higher amp panel.
New wiring for hot tub installation costs $800 to $1,600, including a new outlet and circuit.
A wired home security system costs $199 to $900 for equipment and installation with $25 to $50 monthly monitoring fees on average.
A home generator costs $6,000 to $11,000 installed. Whole-home standby generators are typically powered by natural gas or propane and require trenching to run a new gas line and electrical conduit.
Sewage system horizontal directional drilling costs
Installing a sewer line costs $40 to $180 per linear foot or $1,600 to $7,200, including labor, materials, and boring from the home to a septic tank or sewer system. Other septic projects may require boring:
Sewer line replacement costs $50 to $250 per linear foot.
Septic tank replacement costs $3,500 to $8,500.
Septic drain field replacement costs $3,000 to $15,000.
Cost of drilling a drainage system
A French drain costs $1,000 to $4,000, including labor and materials. Drainage issues are one of the most common reasons for boring in a yard. Other ways to protect a home from water damage include:
Basement waterproofing costs $4,500 to $15,000 on average or $6 to $15 per square foot.
A retaining wall costs $40 to $300 per linear foot installed, depending on height and material.
Gas pipe boring costs
Gas line installation costs $12 to $25 per linear foot, depending on the material, job complexity, and distance from the main gas supply. Labor costs and job length may increase if the new gas line crosses existing utility lines or other obstacles.
Directional drilling cost factors
The following factors affect the cost of directional drilling:
Labor – Directional bore operators charge $35 to $45 per hour on average. Complex jobs or obstructions increase project length and labor costs.
Location – Drilling through rock, under a driveway, or in urban areas costs more than in a yard or a rural area.
Equipment – Drilling with a hand auger takes longer and may increase labor costs. Directional drilling increases equipment fees but takes less time.
Project size / hole size – Most residential boring is used for small utility pipes. Larger diameter bores cost more.
Materials – Drilling contractors typically include the cost of drilling equipment, flagging tape, a locating system, reaming tools, and drilling fluid.
Soil conditions / obstructions – Directional drilling costs increase if the operator encounters obstructions below the surface. Drilling costs less in areas with soft, loose soil and more in rocky soil.
Tree removal costs $300 to $2,000 on average, depending on the tree size.
Tree stump removal costs $100 to $400.
Excavation costs $50 to $200 per cubic yard to remove large boulders.
Permits / road control / inspection – Permits for earthwork cost $50 to $400, depending on location. Traffic control increases overall costs if needed.
Shoring / backfilling / lawn repair – Directional drilling is less intrusive than other methods but may require minor lawn repair. Verify whether your estimate includes fill dirt and delivery fees if necessary.
Fill dirt costs $5 to $25 per cubic yard delivered.
Sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
Underground conduit material prices
Underground conduit material prices are $0.50 to $15.00 per linear foot, depending on the material and purpose. Installing PVC piping in the ground is typically cheapest, while copper and steel piping are the most expensive options.
| Line type | Material prices per linear foot |
|---|---|
| ½ inch PVC pipe | $0.90 – $1.50 |
| Copper pipe | $6.00 – $11.00 |
| 4-inch PVC pipe | $1.30 – $3.00 |
| 1-inch polyethylene pipe | $0.50 – $0.80 |
| 2-inch steel pipe | $7.00 – $15.00 |
Boring vs trenching costs
Trenching costs $5 to $12 per linear foot and is more invasive than directional boring, which drills a steerable hole beneath concrete or pavement without disturbing the terrain. However, boring requires previous knowledge of the contents of the ground before drilling in order to avoid damaging utility lines.
Directional boring FAQs
What is horizontal directional drilling?
Horizontal directional drilling, or HDD, is a drilling method that allows operators to steer an underground drill while laying utility lines without having to dig large trenches. Directional boring is typically shallow but can reach 1 to 5 miles underground.
Who does directional boring?
Directional drilling operators control the boring equipment and are typically trained, experienced contractors who work for utility or construction companies.
How long does horizontal directional drilling take?
Horizontal directional drilling takes less than an hour to set up and 1 to 3 days to complete on average. Small, simple projects may take less than a day to complete.
Do you need a permit to bore underground?
Yes, you need a permit to drill or bore underground in most cities. Permits for earthwork cost $50 to $400.
Getting estimates from directional boring companies
Before hiring a residential directional boring company near you, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select licensed, bonded, insured companies with 5+ years of experience.
Ask for references from recent jobs.
Avoid selecting the lowest estimate as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed written estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before paying a deposit.
Never pay in full up front. Use a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Have you worked on similar projects?
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you provide references from recent projects?
Do you own or rent the boring equipment? Does the estimate include equipment fees?
How deep will you be boring?
How will you keep buried pipes and utility lines safe?
Will my project require additional fill dirt? If so, how much will it cost?
Does the estimate include site cleanup and debris disposal?
Will you pull the necessary permits?
How long will the job take?