Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Contractor
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installs conduit and pipe along a steered, tracked path underground, so roads, driveways, slabs and waterways stay intact. We take HDD work for contractors and owners from our Orlando, FL base.
When to use HDD
Choose HDD when the crossing is long, curved or deep, when the surface can't be disturbed (a state road, a finished driveway, a pond or canal), or when several conduits need to go in one pull. Because the head is steered, the path can dip under an obstacle and come back up, and the locator confirms depth at every rod.
When not to use it
HDD is the wrong tool for very short straight shots under a sidewalk (a missile is faster and cheaper), for gravity sewer that needs a precise constant grade, and in ground with large cobbles or voids where the bore can't hold. If the entry and exit pits can't be placed, it may not fit at all.
Common applications
Electrical Conduit Boring
Electrical conduit for generators, EV chargers, pool equipment and outbuildings is commonly bored under driveways and walks by missile or HDD.
Fiber Optic Conduit Installation
Fiber is usually placed in HDPE conduit installed by HDD, which keeps long runs under roads and yards without trenching.
Gas Line Boring
Gas service lines in polyethylene pipe are often installed by HDD; gas work has extra owner and code requirements.
Irrigation Sleeve Boring
Irrigation sleeves are short PVC crossings under hardscape so lateral lines can pass without cutting concrete.
Water Service Line Boring
A new or replacement water service can be bored from the meter to the house, avoiding a trench through the lawn and driveway.
How the job runs
Each HDD job follows these steps in order.
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811 locate ticket
The excavator files a Sunshine 811 ticket and waits for member utilities to mark their lines before work starts.
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Private GPR sweep
A ground penetrating radar sweep looks for private lines 811 does not cover: irrigation, low-voltage, service laterals.
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Bore plan
Entry and exit points, depth under each crossing, and bend radius are set for the product being installed.
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Pilot bore
The drill head is steered rod by rod while a walkover locator reads depth, pitch and position.
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Ream and pullback
If the product is larger than the pilot hole, a reamer enlarges it, then the conduit or pipe is pulled back through.
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Restoration
Pits are backfilled and compacted, drilling fluid is cleaned up, and the surface is restored.
What we need to quote
Send these and we can price the job without a site visit in most cases.
- Project address or closest intersection
- Bore length in feet (or a marked-up plan)
- Product type and size (e.g. 2 in HDPE conduit, count)
- What you are crossing (road, driveway, pond, slab)
- Required depth, if specified
- Target start date
Where we work
Questions about HDD
How deep does an HDD bore go?
Depth is set by the project owner's specification and the right-of-way permit for each crossing. The walkover locator reads depth along the path so the installed depth can be recorded.
Do you need a permit to bore under a road?
Usually yes. Work in a public right-of-way needs a permit from whoever owns the road: the city, the county, or FDOT for state roads.
Does a bore need an 811 ticket in Florida?
Yes. Florida Statutes 556.102(6) defines excavation to include directional drilling or boring from one point to another beneath the surface, and other trenchless methods, so the 811 notice rules in 556.105 apply to every bore.
Sources: Do you need a permit to bore under a road?Does a bore need an 811 ticket in Florida?
Get a bore quoted
Send the footage, product size and crossing, and we will reply with a quote or the questions we need answered.