How Much Does Core Drilling Cost in Ontario? The Price Factors

What Determines Concrete Drilling Cost in Ontario?

Concrete drilling cost in Ontario depends on hole diameter, slab depth, hole count, reinforcement like rebar or post-tension cable, site access, and a mobilization minimum. Most contractors won’t quote a firm number by phone because those variables change the price. CDS has cored concrete from our Hamilton shop since 1967; here’s what actually moves the number.

First, a quick clarification. Core drilling, coring, and what most people type into Google as “concrete drilling” all describe the same job: a diamond-tipped bit cutting a clean, round hole through a slab, wall, or foundation. You can read more about the process on our concrete coring service page.

The Main Factors That Drive Core Drilling Price

No two coring jobs are identical, but the price almost always comes down to the same short list of factors:

• Hole diameter — A 1-inch hole for electrical conduit is a very different job than a 6- or 8-inch bore for plumbing, HVAC, or a sewer line. Bigger bits cut slower and cost more per hole.
• Depth and slab thickness — A 4-inch residential slab drills quickly; a thick foundation wall or a suspended deck takes longer and wears the bit harder.
• Number of holes — This is the big one. Your per-hole rate usually drops as the count climbs, because the crew is already on site and set up.
• Reinforcement — Rebar, wire mesh, and especially post-tension cable slow the cut and consume diamond segments.
• Access and site conditions — Overhead holes, tight mechanical rooms, upper floors, and limited water or power all add time to the job.

Why rebar and post-tension cable matter so much

Heavily reinforced concrete is harder and slower to cut, and that shows up in the price. Post-tension cable is a bigger deal still — nicking one can be dangerous and expensive. That is why we often run a GPR scan before we drill to map the steel and pick a safe location. If you are matching bit sizes to a trade spec, our guide to core drilling hole sizes is a useful companion read.

Indoor and occupied-site work

Wet coring produces slurry. On an occupied office, a live factory floor, or a finished basement, containing that water and controlling dust adds labour — vacuums, containment, and clean-up all take time. That keeps your space usable, but it is a real cost factor on interior jobs.

Per-Hole Rates vs. Minimum Charge and Mobilization

Two numbers decide most small jobs: the per-hole rate and the mobilization or minimum charge.

Getting a truck, a trained operator, water tanks, and bits to your property has a fixed cost whether we drill one hole or twenty. So a single 3-inch hole rarely costs “one hole’s worth” — it carries a minimum that covers showing up. Book several holes in one visit and that setup cost spreads across the job, which is why volume almost always lowers your cost per hole.

Because we run mobile crews from one Hamilton base, travel distance factors in too. We serve sites across Ontario, but a job in Hamilton naturally carries less travel than one in downtown Toronto or out toward London. Bundling holes into a single mobilization keeps that in check.

Why an On-Site Look Beats a Blind Phone Quote

When a contractor hands you a firm price sight-unseen, they are either padding it to cover the unknowns or setting up a change order later. Neither helps you.

A short site visit — or even a few clear photos and measurements — lets us see the slab thickness, likely reinforcement, access, and water source. That is how you get a number you can actually budget against, whether it is a backyard slab removal, a set of egress windows, or a factory-floor cut-out.

Want a number for your job? Request a free quote with the diameter, depth, and hole count, and we will come back with a realistic figure — no fixed-number guesswork.

See our full range of concrete services.

Related reading: Concrete Drilling vs Core Drilling

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to core drill one hole in Ontario?

A single hole is priced against a minimum that covers getting our crew and equipment to your site, so it costs more than one hole pulled from a larger batch. The fastest way to a real figure is our estimator or a quick call, since diameter, depth, and reinforcement all change the answer.

Is core drilling charged per hole?

Usually yes, with a minimum or mobilization charge on top for smaller jobs. Per-hole rates typically drop as the number of holes goes up, because the crew is already set up and working.

Does rebar make concrete drilling more expensive?

It can. Dense rebar, mesh, or post-tension cable slows the bit and wears it faster, which raises the cost. A GPR scan first helps us locate the steel, drill safely, and avoid surprises that would inflate the price.

Do you charge extra to travel outside Hamilton?

Our shop has been in Hamilton since 1967 and our mobile crews travel across Ontario from there. Travel distance is one input into the quote, so bundling holes into a single visit is the easiest way to keep mobilization costs down.

Get a Real Number for Your Project

Every slab is different, and you deserve a price built around yours rather than a phone-quote guess. Call CDS at (905) 529-6029 or request a quote, and our team will help you scope the job right the first time.