Typical pricing below

Bored Piers

A bored pier is a concrete column formed by drilling a deep, narrow hole and filling it with concrete, sometimes with a reinforcing cage. They're used where footings need to reach past reactive clay, fill or weak topsoil down to stable ground, commonly for house foundations, decks, carports and taller retaining wall posts. A drilling rig bores each hole to the depth an engineer specifies before it's filled.

Get free quotes for bored piers Read the FAQs

Pricing guide: How much do bored piers cost?

Typically $150 to $350 per pier for standard residential depths, depending on diameter, depth, soil conditions and site access for the drilling rig.

Why homeowners choose it

Reaches past reactive or unstable soil to a stable founding depth
Suited to reactive clay sites where standard footings are inadequate
Common founding method for decks, verandahs and retaining wall posts
Minimal surface disturbance compared to broader excavation
Sized and spaced to an engineer's design for the specific load

How it works

1

Engineering design

Pier depth, diameter and spacing are set by a geotechnical or structural engineer based on soil tests and load.
2

Setout

Pier positions are marked out to the engineered layout.
3

Boring

A drilling rig bores each hole to the specified depth, often confirmed by inspecting the soil at the base.
4

Reinforcement

A steel reinforcing cage is lowered into the hole where the design calls for it.
5

Pour

Concrete is poured into the bored hole, filling around the cage and up to the required finished level.

Hiring guide

Questions worth asking before you commit to a contractor.

Are they licensed and insured for this work?

Ask to see it, not just take their word for it. Insurance protects your property if something goes wrong on site.

What exactly is included in the price?

Site preparation, disposal of old material, and any council permits can be included or charged separately — get it in writing before you compare quotes.

Who will actually be on site?

Some contractors do the work themselves; others subcontract parts of it. Neither is wrong, but you should know who is doing your job.

What happens if something unexpected turns up?

Old concrete, tree roots or drainage issues are common surprises. Ask how a change of scope gets costed before it happens, not after.

What is the warranty on the work?

Materials usually carry a manufacturer's warranty. Ask specifically about the contractor's own workmanship warranty too.

More guides and advice

Frequently asked questions

How much do bored piers cost?

Typically $150 to $350 per pier for standard residential depths, depending on diameter, depth, soil conditions and site access for the drilling rig.

How deep do bored piers need to be?

Depth is set by an engineer based on soil conditions, but residential piers commonly range from around 1.2 to 3 metres, sometimes deeper on very reactive sites.

When are bored piers used instead of standard footings?

They're common on reactive clay, filled sites or sloping ground where a standard footing can't reach reliable, stable soil.

Can a drilling rig access a tight site?

Compact and mini drilling rigs can access most residential backyards, though very tight or sloping access may need hand-augering instead.