The Cost of a Borehole

A common question that we are asked is “How much does a borehole cost?” While this might seem like a straightforward question to ask, the answer certainly isn’t. It is the equivalent of asking how much a car costs.

The answer is dependent on various factors. What kind of car do you need? What do you want to use the car for? There isn’t a blanket price for a car, and likewise there isn’t one for a borehole either.

The cost of a borehole is largely dependent on its depth and the amount of casing to be used. The type of rock that we have to rill through also influences the price, as does the actual ground conditions.

While most people expect the easiest drilling to be into soft and loose geologies, the opposite is generally true. A great difficulty of the drilling process is to keep the borehole open during the process, which is made more difficult when the hole is collapsing in on itself because of unstable and loose ground.

We itemise all our quotes, however, in a logical manner that makes them easy to understand, so that the customer is aware of the costs at every stage of the project. A breakdown of the quote is detailed below for your reference.

The Cost of Mobilisation To and From the Site – And the Cost of Drilling

The cost of getting our equipment to your home or yard is usually based on the type of equipment needed (wheeled or tracked) and the distance we need to cover. The charge for drilling is per metre for different diameters. We usually start the borehole at a larger diameter, for example at 203mm, and this is drilled into solid rock to allow for the casing to be installed through the soft upper portions. It also helps to prevent collapse.

Most rock types are drilled at the same rate. Quartzite, however, because of its abrasiveness, is charged at a higher price, since it wears the drill bit down faster. Some loose ground conditions will also require a different drilling method, such as ODEX – but this is not commonly used in Gauteng.

Cost for Casing and Gravel Packing the Borehole

We charge per metre for the supply and installation of casing. Rest assured, however, that most boreholes in the Gauteng region only require steel casing through the soft weathered overburden, which is usually 12-24m, in order to secure the upper portions of the borehole from collapse.

Cost of Supply and Installation of Well Head

We install the purpose-built well head chamber (manhole) over the head of the borehole to allow access to the borehole and protect it from contamination. The boreholes are typically drilled in the driveway, so manholes are made to withstand traffic.

Cost of Developing and Flushing of the Borehole

An important procedure to undertake once the borehole is drilled and completed is to develop / flush the borehole clean of the drilling debris. Much of the rock fragments can get caught up and block the cracks, thereby blocking water from entering the hole. We take care of this aspect for you.

Cost of Site Clean Up

Drilling is a messy business, as the soil, mud and rock fragments that accumulate can be a huge mess. We protect your property by placing a plastic liner down under the rig before we even start drilling. The final clean up takes place when the rig moves off the borehole, and we will ensure that your property is clean of any debris when we finish the project.

The Cost of a Pumping System

The cost for the supply, installation and commissioning of a pump system depends largely on the depth of the borehole, piping and the amount of water to be pumped into the pressure requirements of the system. The borehole submersible pump will pump into a pressure tank linked to the main water supply of the borehole submersible pump, then pump out the tank using a pressure pump to the home. These aspects will influence the costs of the pumping system.

For more detailed information on the cost of a borehole, contact Domestic Boreholes for expert advice and service.