If you are in the utility sector — telecommunications, water, electricity, and gas industries — then you have probably interacted with directional drilling contractors in your line of work. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) has impacted the utility industry by changing how underground conduit pipes are installed. However, directional drilling requires the utmost precision and proper planning to be executed successfully. That’s why you should trust an experienced and reputable Texas directional drilling contractor for all your construction projects that require underground drilling.
You should consider the following factors before engaging a directional drilling contractor.
1. The Type of Drill Rigs and Technology Used
Although the basic rotary rig has not changed much since its invention, other technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar have improved the drilling process. Today’s advanced monitoring technology has made precision directional drilling more accurate and applicable in complex geologies. The reputable HDD contractors invest in the latest drilling technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of their underground drilling services. The modern drill rigs have been improved to include the power source and pipe in one unit. This makes drilling easier and faster as well as causes less disturbance. In most cases, HDD will only disturb the location where the drilling machine is set up and where the utilities need to be connected.
2. Consider Hiring a Local Directional Drilling Company
Hiring a local drilling company will save you both time and money. If, for instance, your drilling project is in Austin, then you should hire a Texas directional drilling contractor. A contractor near your project site will incur fewer costs when transporting the drilling materials and equipment. Additionally, a local contractor is more conversant with the weather and soil conditions in your area that may affect the drilling work. Moreover, a local boring contractor is aware of the permits and licenses required before the drilling begins. If any of the drilling machines fails midway, the contractor can get back up more quickly and avert lengthy downtimes.
3. Consider the Drilling Cost And Your Overall Budget
The many advantages of directional drilling and the quality results that the drilling process delivers do not come cheap. Underground boring is considered more affordable in saving time, using less labor, and causing fewer disruptions to the worksite. However, you will dig deeper into your pockets to pay for directional drilling services compared to traditional open-cut drilling. Before making your budget, you should consult a drilling contractor to get an actual figure of how much your drilling project will cost you.
A Texas directional drilling contractor should conduct a site visit to assess the feasibility of your drilling project. This may include conducting a soil test and examining the existing structures and utilities that may be affected by the drilling project. As such, a good directional boring contractor will give you an all-inclusive and accurate cost-estimate for your directional drilling project.
4. What Is the Reputation of the Boring Contractor?
The best directional drilling contractors have a good reputation in the industry. These are the contractors that are willing to give you a tour of their completed projects so that you can verify the quality of their work. Your colleagues in the industry are best suited to refer you to a contractor who can handle the scope of your drilling project. You may also read online reviews from previous customers who have utilized the services of a directional boring contractor. Given the massive investment required to complete an underground boring project, you should stay clear of the contractors with a poor reputation. You don’t want to redo a drilling project because it will cost you much more than the initial installation. That means finding a contractor with an excellent reputation and quality directional drilling services.
Before you put pen to paper and engage a directional drilling contractor, consider the above factors as part of your due diligence. A good Texas directional drilling contractor will offer not only quality underground drilling services but also offer excellent customer service.
