Borehole Surveys help choose where to drill. A surveyor studies the geology, nearby boreholes and readings taken across your property to find positions more likely to hit water-bearing fractures. They suit sites with uncertain geology, a history of dry holes nearby, or larger water needs.
- Give the property size and any existing boreholes nearby.
- Say how much water you need and what for.
Describe your property once and compare quotes for a borehole survey.
Compare Borehole QuotesWhat a Survey Includes
- A desk study of geological maps and existing borehole records.
- A site walk-over to check access, contamination sources and rig positions.
- Geophysical readings along one or more lines across the property.
- Marked drilling positions, ranked, with a target depth range.
- A short report. Hydrogeological assessments for larger abstraction go further.
Not included: drilling, a guarantee of water, or water use authorisation.
Survey Methods
- Electrical resistivity. Measures how easily current passes through the ground, which changes with water and clay content.
- Magnetic surveys. Pick up dykes and the fractured contact zones beside them, which can hold water.
- Electromagnetic surveys. Find conductive zones such as fractures quickly over larger areas.
- Hydrogeological assessment. Combines geology, nearby yields and water levels, and is used for farms, businesses and municipal supply.
Water divining is offered by some drillers. It is not a scientific method, so ask what the position is based on.
When a Survey Is Worth It
- Neighbours have dry or weak boreholes.
- The property is large and the best spot is unclear.
- You need a high yield for irrigation, livestock or a business.
- The site is on dolomite or near pollution sources.
Borehole Survey Prices
| Survey | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Geophysical siting survey, residential | R5,000 - R10,000 |
| Dolomite stability assessment, where required | R5,000 - R15,000 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges compiled from price guides published by South African contractors, suppliers and quote websites, checked October 2026 and rounded where needed. They are not our prices and no contractor is bound by them. Larger hydrogeological assessments are quoted per project. Confirm whether VAT is included on every quote.
Sources:
- Borehole Hub, borehole prices 2026
- OurPower, borehole drilling cost by city (October 2026)
- Enviroleg, borehole price and drilling price guides (2026)
What Affects Borehole Surveys Quotes
- Number of survey lines and methods.
- Size and terrain of the property.
- Travel distance.
- Report detail required.
Questions to Ask the Surveyor
- Which methods will you use, and why for this site?
- Who interprets the data, and what are their qualifications?
- How many positions will you mark, and in what order?
- What depth range do you expect?
- Is the survey fee refundable or discounted if the hole is dry?
Compare borehole surveyors and drillers through Borehole Installation South Africa.
After the survey, see borehole drilling and yield testing.
Related Services
Borehole Surveys FAQs
Does a survey guarantee water?
No. A survey improves the odds of a successful hole, but groundwater is hidden and no method guarantees water, yield or quality.
How long does a survey take?
A residential survey is often done in a few hours on site, with marked positions the same day or soon after.
Can the driller do the survey?
Some drillers offer geophysical surveys. An independent surveyor has no stake in how many metres are drilled.
Do I need a survey for a small garden borehole?
Not always. Where neighbours have good boreholes at similar depths, local records may be enough.
What is a hydrocensus?
A record of nearby boreholes, their depths, yields and water levels. It is often part of a hydrogeological assessment.
Borehole Installation South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. The survey is quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Availability depends on your location and on contractors taking on that kind of job. Before you pay a deposit, get a written quote that lists what is included and excluded, the guarantee terms and the payment terms.
Borehole Surveys. Compare quotes for groundwater siting before you drill.
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