17/01/2026
BOREHOLE DRILLING =/= FIXED COSTS
⚠️ Anyone promising a fixed price for borehole drilling is ignoring the realities underground.
⚠️ The moment drilling starts, fixed pricing stops making sense.
Here is why:
Borehole drilling is a highly technical process with significant underground uncertainty, often misunderstood as a simple service with a fixed depth and price.
In reality, unpredictable geological conditions influence costs, so understanding this helps clients budget realistically and avoid disputes.
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Quoted Depth Is Not the Total Project Cost
The initial depth we quote commonly 40m should never be considered the total budget for a successful borehole. It is merely our starting point.
Water may be encountered at that depth but:
• The yield may be too low for the intended use
• The water-bearing formation may be unstable
• The borehole may require further deepening to achieve sustainability
In such cases, additional drilling costs per extra meter becomes necessary, and these costs are unavoidable if a functional borehole is the goal.
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Extra Costs That May Arise During Drilling
Several additional costs may arise during borehole drilling due to site-specific conditions, including:
• Extra meters drilled to achieve required water yield.
• Test pumping to confirm sustainable yield
• Water quality testing
These are essential processes and not optional add-ons.
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Borehole Casings: Safety, Strength, and Longevity
Casings play a critical role in preventing borehole collapse, protecting water quality, and ensuring long-term performance. The type of casing we use depends on ground conditions, depth, and water chemistry. This part is greatly overlooked by most clients trying to cut costs.
Common Casing Types and Applications
• Class 6 PVC
- Suitable for shallow boreholes
- Used in stable formations with minimal collapse risk
- Lower pressure rating
• Class 9 PVC
- Suitable for moderate depths
- Used where some ground movement is expected
- Better strength than Class 6
• Class 10 PVC
- Commonly used for standard domestic and agricultural boreholes
- Suitable for deeper installations
- Good balance between strength and cost
• Class 16 PVC
- Used for deep boreholes or high-pressure conditions
- Suitable for unstable formations
- Higher resistance to deformation and collapse
• Metal Casings (Steel)
- Used in highly unstable ground conditions
- Ideal where severe collapse risk exists
- Common in fractured rock, loose sands, or areas with high groundwater pressure
- More expensive but offer superior structural strength
In some cases, double casing is required, where one casing is installed inside another to improve structural integrity and prevent contamination.
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Borehole Collapse and Site Limitations
Borehole collapse is a serious risk during drilling, particularly in weak or fractured formations. When collapse occurs, it must be addressed correctly through reaming, casing installation, or re-drilling.
However, some sites may prove technically impossible or unsafe to drill, even with appropriate equipment and expertise. In such situations:
• The borehole may need to be abandoned
• Partial payment for work already completed may be required
• Costs are handled according to agreements made prior to drilling or assessed on-site once conditions are fully understood
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Final Considerations
Borehole drilling is an investment in a critical resource, not a guaranteed commodity. At DSol Solar & Borehole, we emphasize realistic expectations, transparent quotations, and clear risk-sharing based on technical competence—not the lowest price. A properly drilled and cased borehole delivers long-term value, while shortcuts often lead to failure, contamination, or total loss.
Contact us today for FREE consultations and quotations:
Call: +263 788 841 883 | +263 782 990 723 | +263 711 882 292
WhatsApp:
https://wa.me/263782990723
https://wa.me/263788841883
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DSol Solar & Borehole
"Providing you Access to Naturally Sourced Water and Energy."
