Commission drilling around a clear investigation question
Investigation drilling explores the ground for a defined geotechnical, groundwater or possible contamination question. Drilling, technical logging, testing and reporting are not automatically one service. A programme identifies known locations, hole count, intended depths and outputs. If these remain open, first commission a suitable investigation plan.
Separate investigation purpose from drilling
Explain the project or open question. Existing geological records can support planning without automatically replacing site-specific investigation. Define who designs the programme, logs cores and interprets findings. A drilling log alone is not a complete ground investigation report.
| Commission | Work to clarify |
|---|---|
| Design a programme | Question, locations and suitable investigations |
| Carry out drilling | Count, depths, samples and logs |
| Interpret findings | Tests, model, limitations and report |
State hole count, depths and variations
For an existing programme, state the exact total holes and depth of each. Maximum depth is not total drilled length. Allocate different depths, diameters or installations in one overview. An unknown depth can remain a technical planning issue rather than being replaced by an arbitrary building-wide default.
Prepare access, utilities and working space
Describe surfaces, narrow access, slopes, indoor work or continued operations. Utility information, site permissions and suitable machine positioning need clarification before drilling. The specialist determines working space and protection. Agree water, power, storage and protection of adjacent surfaces.
Clarify permissions for the specific site
Requirements depend on canton, water protection, investigation type and location. Railway or road areas may require further coordination. Define who handles applications and existing conditions; a quoted date is not permission. One canton’s fees, process and lead times are not nationwide rules.
Define samples, tests and installations
Define sample identification, transfer, storage and requested laboratory testing. In-hole tests, groundwater monitoring points or later observation are additional work unless expressly included. State the desired result plainly; the specialist proposes suitable methods and technical execution.
Compare the complete service, not only drilled metres
Mobilisation, ground conditions, casing, samples, tests and interpretation affect effort. Compare the same hole count and allocated depths with explicit additional services. Agree treatment of unexpected obstacles, extra metres and waiting before work. A general house-building example does not reliably price your site.
| Cost item | Comparison basis |
|---|---|
| Mobilisation | Access, repositioning and site preparation |
| Investigation | Lengths, samples and included tests |
| Completion | Installations or sealing, waste, reporting and surfaces |
Hand over the site and documentation
Agree whether holes are sealed or retained as monitoring points and who manages them later. Spoil, slurry and water need an agreed handling route; disposal or discharge options are not interchangeable. Define surface reinstatement, location and depth records, sample logs and reporting as checkable deliverables.
Frequently asked questions
Must the programme already be defined?
No. Commission planning first if count, methods or depths need technical definition.
Is drilling itself a complete assessment?
Not automatically. Logging, testing and interpretation must be in scope.
Which quantity should I state?
Known hole count and depth of each; distinguish maximum depth from total drilled length.
Are permissions the same everywhere?
No. Clarify local authority and conditions with the relevant bodies.
What may remain open initially?
Technical details may be flagged for clarification. Location, purpose and known counts should be specific.
What happens if deeper drilling is needed?
Confirm change, costs and effects on timing and permission before extra work.
