Stage 1: Bored Piers
& Screw Piles

Bored piers are cylindrical concrete columns drilled into the ground to provide deep foundation support, while screw piles are steel shafts with helical plates that are screwed into the soil. Both are used when the surface soil is not stable enough to support the building directly, transferring the load to more stable ground below.

A bored piers inspection should be conducted after the piers or screw piles have been installed but before the concrete slab is poured. This is your only opportunity to verify the foundation is correct, as once the slab is poured these elements become permanently hidden and inaccessible.

Undetected pier defects can lead to serious structural problems including foundation settlement, cracking walls, uneven floors, and in severe cases, structural failure. Rectifying foundation issues after construction is extremely expensive and disruptive, often requiring underpinning or even partial demolition.

While this stage is listed as optional in some inspection packages, we strongly recommend it for any build that uses bored piers or screw piles. The foundation is the most critical element of your home. If your site has reactive soil, a high water table, or requires deep foundations, this inspection is particularly important.