Alternative to Piling: Why use Piling instead of Bored Piers?

There are many ways to stabilise the foundations of a building site. From various types of bored piers to the many types of piling. But why choose steel piling instead of bored piers?

Board piers can be easy to facilitate in the short term, as builders and earthmovers can easily dig the holes to be filled in with concrete. However, the complications begin when each hole needs to be approved by a building inspector before it can be filled with concrete. With 20 to 30 holes per site, it can become a time-consuming task. 

Additional to the potential time delays, the soil removed from the bored piers will also need to be disposed of. This adds another layer to the cost of bored concrete piers, which may vary from suburb to suburb depending on the location of the nearest disposal site and also the quality of soil that is being disposed of. Some tips charge extra for the disposal of wet or contaminated soil loads.

If the piers are compromised after an approved inspection, bored piers will be abandoned and the site will move to use the piling model method. Screw piling is the most cost-effective alternative to bored piers in domestic construction. On top of being the most cost-effective solution, it is also the quickest to install with minimal harm to the soil profile.

When the time comes to demolish a site with piles, steel piles can easily be removed and then recycled. Unlike bored piles, which are cumbersome and costly to remove and not to mention are not recyclable.

Because bored piers are typically 300mm, 450mm or 600mm in diameter, this can cause problems for the drainage contractors when routing their pipework, especially when a bored pier is situated in a location where a plumbing riser is needed for a sink or toilet. Typical residential piles are 76mm or 89mm in diameter, which makes routing drainage pipes extremely easy.

When everything is taken into account, bored concrete piers cost more than piling. From the cost of labour and machinery hire to building inspector fees then soil removal charges, it makes sense to choose a fixed cost solution like piling.

Knowing there is an alternative to bored piers and the benefits that pile foundations offer, it’s easy to see why many choose to use piling instead of bored piers.

Learn more about Using Piling In Your Next Construction Project here.