What are the Horizontal Directional Drilling Costs in 2025?

Instead of digging open trenches to lay pipes, ducts or cables, horizontal directional drilling provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional trenching methods.

Horizontal directional drilling is a type of directional drilling that simply follows a horizontal path, without the need for extensive excavations. It involves drilling a pilot borehole along a predetermined path. The bore is then enlarged following the path set by the pilot bore, and the product pipe or casing is pulled through behind this. By avoiding open-cut excavation when installing underground service lines, this steered technique is often used to navigate beneath roads, rivers and railways, or other surface infrastructure, with minimal disruption.

As one of the most popular forms of trenchless techniques employed by our engineers at EPS Trenchless Installations, horizontal directional drilling is suitable for a wide range of applications, including for water, sewer and gas lines, as well as power and telecom networks.

At EPS, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for your pipeline project following a site assessment. The cost of horizontal directional drilling can vary depending on your project needs and ground conditions, where various factors come into play that can affect the overall cost. However, we offer cutting-edge technology and industry-leading expertise at highly competitive prices, keeping horizontal directional drilling costs to an absolute minimum.

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What Do Our Horizontal Directional Drilling Costs Include?

From conception to completion, we will work in partnership with you, planning and advising on the best way to execute your underground utility installation project.

The horizontal directional drilling process will be handled professionally by our qualified, experienced contractors using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment to achieve the best result. In particular, our operators use gyroscopic or electromagnetic tracking and guidance systems to steer the drill bit along the pre-planned route. This allows for more precise directional control at a non-vertical angle than other trenchless methods, making it better for underground installations that require a specific pipeline path.

On completion of your pipework project, or other utility service lines, we will clear the site of any debris, providing total reinstatement of the project area.

For an additional cost, to help facilitate the whole pipework installation process, we also offer an end-to-end service for handling Section 50 licence applications for public highway works. Our service to you includes obtaining from the relevant highway authority their application form, submitting the paperwork on your behalf and monitoring your application progress. We will also keep you informed every step of the way right through to obtaining licence approval.

By overseeing the application process for a Section 50 street works licence, with minimal input required from our customers, we can save you precious time and expense by removing the administrative burden of applying yourself. This can be especially beneficial if approval is needed within a strict time frame or if multiple works across diverse sites are necessary.

How Do We Calculate Horizontal Directional Drilling Costs?

When calculating horizontal directional drilling costs, we will conduct a detailed survey of the site area, checking existing utilities and obtaining geological data using advanced technology.

There are various factors that can affect horizontal directional drilling costs, including:

Ground Conditions: Rock, cobbles, or unstable soils can increase difficulty and cost.
Bore Diameter: wider bores require more equipment, drilling time and product pipe.
Bore Length: The distance of the pipe to be laid can also be a significant cost factor.
Depth of Installation: Deeper installations need more precise equipment and expertise.
Existing Utilities: Navigating other service lines can increase complexity and expense.
Other Obstacles: The presence of water bodies etc can also add to how complex it is.
Access and Site Conditions: Limited access, urban settings, or remote locations may require additional site preparation or extra cost prior to commencement.
Drilling Fluid Management: The type and amount of drilling fluid can impact cost, especially in environmentally sensitive areas or for lengthy drilling distances.
Permits and Environmental Regulations: Compliance with regulations can add permit fees, such as a section 50 street works licence, and environmental mitigation costs.
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather can delay work and again increase costs.

Our expert engineers will undertake a thorough assessment of the site, taking into account these factors, providing a detailed quote based on the geological and other data obtained.

For a free, no-obligation quote, please contact us today.

Why Are Horizontal Directional Drilling Costs Lower Than The Cost Of Traditional Trenching?

As a non-invasive method used to install pipes, ducts, or cables with minimal surface disruption, horizontal directional drilling is ideal for laying service lines in built-up and busy urban areas. It’s also commonly used for crossing rivers and environmentally sensitive areas, making it possible to lay pipework in places where it would otherwise be impractical to do so.

As a trenchless technique used for installing service lines without the need for extensive digging, horizontal directional drilling is also popular when it comes to project cost savings. Horizontal directional drilling is often more cost-effective than traditional trenching due to:

Reduced Surface Disruption: No extensive excavation is needed, reducing the need for road closures, landscape restoration, and traffic management. In heavily urbanised areas, avoiding disruption to existing infrastructure also minimises additional costs.
Lower Labour and Equipment Costs: Without the need for digging and backfilling, horizontal directional drilling requires fewer workers and less surface equipment.
More Efficient Use of Materials: Horizontal directional drilling requires less backfill material and trench support structures than traditional trenching, which requires more materials for stabilisation and compaction once excavation has taken place.
Faster Installation: Horizontal directional drilling is significantly quicker, reducing labour hours and project duration. Traditional trenching involves extensive digging, shoring, and restoration, taking more time and increasing operational expenses.
Minimal Restoration Costs: Since horizontal directional drilling only disturbs entry and exit points, there’s little need for road repaving, replanting, or property restoration. Traditional trenching requires costly repair of man-made surfaces and landscapes.
Ability to Cross Obstacles: Horizontal directional drilling can drill under roads, rivers, railways, and buildings, avoiding expensive detours or structural modifications. Traditional trenching in such areas would require complex and costly rerouting.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Horizontal directional drilling minimises environmental damage, reducing regulatory compliance costs and potential fines. Trenching can lead to significant soil disruption, requiring extensive mitigation efforts with the significant costs associated with this to adequately restore the surface.

Overall, while horizontal directional drilling has higher initial equipment costs, its efficiency, speed, and lower restoration expenses make it more economical than traditional trenching in many applications. Here at EPS Trenchless Installations we pass on the benefit of our investment in the most cutting-edge technology and equipment to our customers, allowing you to make significant project savings when it comes to horizontal directional drilling costs.

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Installation Cost Savings With Horizontal Directional Drilling

As industry leaders in horizontal directional drilling, at EPS Trenchless Installations we offer innovative solutions to minimise surface disruption and keep costs down. Our specialist contractors can provide the most efficient and cost-effective method of completing your underground installation with precision and efficiency. We also provide a full installation service, from conception to completion, specifically tailored to your pipework project needs.