There is no price list
The cost of an SPT boring is not a fixed figure, because each campaign is sized to the ground and to the project. In Brazil, the price per metre drilled typically ranges from R$ 50 to R$ 1,000, and that spread is not a lack of standard: it reflects the depth of the borings, the number of points, site access, the type of ground and the region. A shallow boring with easy access sits at the bottom of the range; deep borings, in rock or at a remote site, at the top.
So the useful question is not "what is the price per metre", but "how much investigation does this project need" and "what does that investigation prevent". That is what this text answers.
What drives the price
Depth and number of borings
Standard NBR 8036 guides the number and layout of borings according to the area and the type of project. More borings and greater depth mean more metres drilled.
Type of ground
Soft soil drills quickly; ground with boulders or rock takes longer and often calls for mixed drilling. That changes the cost per metre.
Access and logistics
An urban site with easy access costs less than a remote front, over water or on a slope, which requires special mobilization of crew and equipment.
Region and schedule
The distance to the base, the need to lodge the crew and the urgency of the schedule all enter the calculation.
The cost that matters is the project's, not the boring's
There is a principle well established in geotechnical engineering, recalled by authorities such as Professor John Burland of Imperial College, the engineer who stabilized the Leaning Tower of Pisa: site investigation costs a very small fraction of the total value of a project, typically below 1%, and yet it is what prevents the most expensive problems a foundation can have.
The logic is direct. A foundation is designed from what the boring reveals about the ground. If the investigation is insufficient, the design works blind: it either oversizes the foundation, wasting concrete and steel across the whole job, or undersizes it and takes on a risk of settlement, cracking or failure, whose repair costs many times the price of the entire boring campaign. There is a well-known maxim in the field: you pay for a site investigation whether you have one or not. Whoever saves on the boring usually pays the difference, with interest, in the foundation.
That is why comparing boring proposals only by the lowest price per metre is the riskiest path. What makes the whole project cheaper is a well-sized investigation, carried out to standard, with a reliable log.
A range, not a price list
| Price per metre drilled | From R$ 50 to R$ 1,000, according to the factors above |
|---|---|
| Bottom of the range | Shallow borings, soft soil, easy urban access |
| Top of the range | Deep borings, rock or boulders, remote or over-water site |
| How to fix the figure | With the boring plan defined for your project, to NBR 8036 |
This range is for calibrating expectations, not for quoting. The real value of a campaign is only set with the number of borings, the estimated depth and the site context, which is exactly what our engineering team sizes when preparing the proposal.
What a serious proposal includes
Must be stated
- Boring plan and estimated depths, to NBR 8036.
- SPT boring carried out to NBR 6484.
- Boring log with profile, N-value per metre and water level.
- Clear measurement criteria and rules for drilling beyond the plan.
Signs of trust
- In-house crews and fleet, not subcontracted.
- Laboratory and certifications (ISO, ISO/IEC 17025).
- Registered engineer and technical responsibility.
- Verifiable track record and project cases.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a boring
How much does an SPT boring cost?
In Brazil, the price per metre of SPT boring typically ranges from R$ 50 to R$ 1,000, depending on the depth of the borings, the number of points, the type of ground, site access and the region. There is no price list: the value of each campaign is sized to the project, following the boring plan of NBR 8036.
Why do boring prices vary so much?
Because each project requires a different investigation. Shallow borings in soft soil with easy access sit at the bottom of the range; deep borings, in rock or at a remote site, at the top. Depth, the number of borings and logistics are the factors that weigh most on the price per metre.
Is it worth saving on the boring?
Rarely. Site investigation usually costs less than 1% of the project value, but it defines the foundation design. Saving on the boring tends to cost more later, in an oversized foundation or in settlement and cracking problems whose repair exceeds the cost of the entire campaign. Cheap on the boring usually makes the project more expensive.
How many borings does a project need?
NBR 8036 guides the number and layout of borings according to the built area and the type of project. As a reference, a minimum number of borings per area is required, with a defined spacing. The exact plan is sized by the engineering team from the project design.
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