Much of what runs life above ground happens underneath it. There are an estimated 2.5 million miles of pipeline used to transport fuel products in the United States. This requires a lot of drilling. The drilling work has to be done correctly and safely, and this requires a professional operation with the tools and expertise needed to get the job done. Although drilling may seem like a relatively simple task, there are a lot of variables involved that need to be taken into consideration. For this reason, it’s important to go about choosing you directional drilling contractor with care. A thoughtful approach will save you a lot of headaches down the road and during the project. Here are some things to check out when interviewing a directional drilling contractor.
Reputation Matters
The way a business person conducts business is one of the most telling factors determining the quality of the operation. Often, the way business is conducted leaves as much of an impression as the quality of work and even the timeliness of the job. Of course, when it comes to things as complex as trenchless drilling, underground boring, or drilling for laying conduit, the quality of the job cannot be overstated. But all of these factors come into play in the formation of a contractor’s reputation. If the directional drilling contractor you’re interviewing has a strong reputation, this speaks well to a wide range of positive qualities, above and beyond how well the work was performed.
In order to make sure you get the best information about the directional drilling contractor’s reputation, you want to ask the right people the right questions. It’s best to choose someone with whom you’re already familiar. This could be a friend who has dealt with the contractor before, or perhaps another Texas directional boring contractor. If you don’t know anyone who qualifies to provide information about the contractor’s reputation, you may want to ask someone with whom you do business to tactfully ask what the person’s practices are like. Try to get more than one opinion, however, because a great experience—or a poor one—with one person says little about a contractor’s overall reputation.
Set a Solid Budget
Your budget will help determine many of the details of the work that is going to be performed. With a larger budget, you may be able to outsource auxiliary elements of the process, such as the site prep and even the post-drilling work. However, with a more limited budget, you may be forced to do some of the work yourself, or subcontract out much of it using cheaper labor. You will also need to know you have enough money to see the project through to completion. If the project starts to lag because of a lack of liquid funds, this may spell doom for what you had envisioned.
It’s best to be conservative with your estimates. Be sure to use the worst case scenario when estimating budgetary needs. Your directional drilling contractor will be able to help in this area. They will know how much underground drilling tends to cost. Likely, they will provide a range of costs for a few of the things involved. Try to base your estimates on numbers in the higher end of those ranges. This way, you may end up with a little bit of a cushion going into your project. If you do all the numbers, and it seems like things are either not feasible or may be cutting it a little too close, it’s best to back away and save the funds up for another go at it later on. Trying to stretch your dollar will only cause frustration and add more pressure to the situation.
Choose Someone Local
A local contractor is a must. Even if a company claims it can travel from many miles away and still provide good service, you are better off going with someone local. They are going to understand the topographic issues involved with directional drilling better than someone else. They will also be more familiar with local suppliers and inspectors that may have to play a role in the process. Regardless of who you choose, make sure the budget is realistic and they have a good reputation. This way, you can go into your project with confidence.
