Last updated on March 25th, 2023
How much does core drilling cost?
If you need a perfect hole cut into a concrete structure, the chances are you’re looking for core drilling. Perhaps you need to get to a water pipe, phone line or sewer line. Or, maybe you simply want to get some electrical wiring or plumbing done. But how much does core drilling cost? Let’s take a look.
If you need a perfect hole cut into a concrete structure, the chances are you’re looking for core drilling. Perhaps you need to get to a water pipe, phone line or sewer line. Or, maybe you simply want to get some electrical wiring or plumbing done. But how much does core drilling cost? Let’s take a look.
Cost of core drilling
| Cost provided item | Unit | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core drilling | 52mm hole | £26 | £35 | £30.50 |
| Core drilling | 127mm hole | £29 | £36 | £32.50 |
| Core drilling | 152mm hole | £37 | £46 | £41.50 |
| Core drilling | 300mm hole | £86 | £116 | £101 |
| Team of two people | Labour per day | £400 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay around £540 per day for core drilling. This includes around £400 for labour and around £140 for materials.
That said, the total cost will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The number of holes required.
- How wide the holes need to be.
- Whether the holes are made in the wall or the floor.
The prices we’ve listed here are intended as a guide only, so always make sure you get a number of quotes for the work you require before choosing to go ahead.
Core drilling cost per hole UK
Often, you’ll be given a price per hole rather than a fixed price for the day.
In general, the bigger the hole, the more expensive it’ll be. However, you can also expect to pay less per hole if you’re getting a lot of holes done as opposed to just a few.
For example, to get 12 52mm holes drilled, you’ll usually pay around £35 per hole (costing around £420 in total). However, to get 18 52mm holes drilled, you’ll only need to pay around £26 per hole (coming to a total of £468).
What is core drilling?
Core drilling is also known as concrete core drilling, concrete coring or diamond drilling. Essentially, it’s when holes are made in a (usually concrete) structure using a core drill. However, it can be used on pretty much any surface, including wood, ice and rock.
A core drill is a hollow drill that makes perfectly round holes, normally between 8mm and 1,500mm wide. The tip is most often coated in diamond, which is the hardest naturally-occurring material in the world. This makes the drilling process quiet, precise and dust-free.
The main difference between core drilling and other methods of cutting concrete is that a core drill will actually remove a cylinder of material from the structure – the part that was enclosed by the hollow centre of the drill. This is called a ‘core sample.’
Key takeaways
- Core drilling is usually used on concrete but can also be used on a variety of other surfaces.
- You can use core drilling on floors, walls and ceilings alike.
- Prices vary based on the size of the holes being drilled, as well as the number of holes required.
- You’ll usually be given a price per hole based on the number of holes you need.
- Always get a number of quotes before agreeing to the work.
The tick you can trust
8/10 homeowners would choose a tradesperson endorsed by Checkatrade over one who isn't*
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
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