Get answers to common questions about underground boring, horizontal directional drilling, and trenchless utility installation from The Boring Guys.
Everything you need to know about our underground boring and trenchless utility services. Don't see your question? Give us a call.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method of installing underground utilities such as water lines, gas lines, electric cables, fiber optics, and conduit. A specialized drill rig bores a pilot hole underground along a planned path, then pulls the utility line or pipe back through the bore.
This method avoids the need for open-cut trenching, which means less disruption to your yard, driveway, landscaping, and existing structures. At Sloan Underground Construction, HDD is our primary method of installation, and it's what makes us "The Boring Guys."
We install a wide range of underground utilities, including:
Whether you need a single residential water line or a large-scale commercial conduit run, Sloan Underground Construction has the equipment and expertise to handle it. As we like to say — if it needs buried, we can bury it.
The Boring Guys serve communities across Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Our primary service areas include:
If you're within our service region, give us a call at (864) 386-1649 to discuss your project.
The cost of underground boring varies depending on several factors, including:
Because every project is different, we provide free, no-obligation estimates tailored to your specific needs. Call us at (864) 386-1649 or use our contact form to request a quote.
Most residential boring projects can be completed in a single day. A standard water line or gas line bore for a home typically takes just a few hours from setup to cleanup.
Larger commercial projects or longer bore runs may take two to three days depending on the complexity, soil conditions, and total length of the bore. We'll give you a clear timeline during the estimate process so you know exactly what to expect.
One of the biggest advantages of directional drilling is that it causes minimal surface disruption. Unlike traditional trenching, which requires digging an open trench across your entire property, HDD only requires small entry and exit pits at each end of the bore.
Your lawn, landscaping, driveway, and other structures remain largely untouched. We take great care to leave your property looking as good — or better — than when we arrived. That commitment to clean, careful work is a big part of what sets The Boring Guys apart.
Permit requirements vary by municipality and the type of utility being installed. In most cases, permits are required for water, gas, and electric line installations. Some jurisdictions also require permits for conduit or fiber optic runs.
We can help guide you through the permit process and let you know what's needed for your specific project and location. We also coordinate with 811 (Call Before You Dig) before every job to have all existing underground utilities located and marked, ensuring a safe installation.
Trenchless technology refers to a family of methods for installing or replacing underground utilities without digging large open trenches. Horizontal directional drilling is the most common trenchless method we use at Sloan Underground Construction.
Trenchless technology is better than traditional trenching for several reasons:
Absolutely. Boring under driveways, roads, parking lots, and other hardscaped surfaces is one of the primary advantages of horizontal directional drilling. Instead of cutting through concrete or asphalt — and then spending additional money on patching and repair — we bore directly underneath the surface without disturbing it at all.
This saves significant time and money, avoids unsightly repairs, and is one of the most common reasons homeowners and businesses choose our services. Our Ditch Witch equipment is specifically designed for this kind of precision work.
We use professional-grade Ditch Witch equipment, including the JT520 directional drill. The JT520 is a powerful, reliable machine built for precision on both residential and commercial projects. It's capable of handling a wide range of soil conditions and bore lengths.
Our fleet also includes:
We invest in quality equipment because it means better results and fewer problems on your job site.
Yes, we handle both residential and commercial underground utility projects across Upstate SC and Western NC.
Residential projects commonly include water line installations, gas line runs to the house, underground electric service, and conduit for internet or cable. Homeowners choose us because we get the job done quickly with minimal disruption to their property.
Commercial projects include larger-scale utility installations for contractors, developers, municipalities, and businesses. We've handled conduit runs for new developments, utility crossings under roadways, and infrastructure projects requiring precision boring. No matter the scale, the owner is on every job to make sure the work meets our standards.
Our equipment can bore at varying depths depending on project requirements. Most residential utility installations are bored at depths of 3 to 6 feet, which is standard for water lines, gas lines, and electric conduit.
For projects that require deeper bores — such as crossing under roads, creeks, or other obstacles — we can adjust the bore path to reach the necessary depth. The JT520 directional drill gives us the power and precision to handle deeper installations when needed. We'll determine the appropriate depth during the site assessment to ensure the installation meets all code requirements and your project specifications.
To help us get started quickly and work efficiently, here's what we recommend before our crew arrives:
We handle calling 811 to locate all standard underground utilities before we start, so you don't need to worry about that part.
Yes, we provide completely free, no-obligation estimates for every project. We believe in straightforward, honest pricing with no surprises.
Give us a call at (864) 386-1649 or fill out the contact form on our website. Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you with a quote — usually within 24 hours. For more complex projects, we may schedule a site visit to evaluate conditions before finalizing the estimate.
Getting started is easy. Here's how the process works:
Whether you're a homeowner needing a water line or a contractor with a commercial project, we're here to help. Give us a call and let's talk about your project.
We're always happy to answer your questions and talk through your project. Whether you need help understanding the process, want a second opinion, or are ready to get a free estimate — The Boring Guys are just a phone call away.