Earth Support Corp

Budget · Price check

Check our number against the field.

Under the median public bid on 33 of 40 published rates.

Where public bids exist for the same work, we set our published rate against them. As a GC carries it (+10%), ours is typically 23% under the median bid, and under it on 27 of the 32 rates with strong evidence. The 7 over the median stay in view.

Budget in 30 secondsPrice check: all 40 rates

Where our rate lands

6 of our 40 rates against public bids

vs median

  1. Obstruction drilling · 36 in.

    ESC $1,485 · median $2,480/LF

    −40%

  2. Soldier pile & lagging

    ESC $70.95 · median $103/SF

    −31%

  3. Rock socket · 36 in.

    ESC $3,905 · median $5,436/LF

    −28%

  4. Soil nail wall

    ESC $171 · median $217/SF

    −22%

  5. Drilled shaft in soil · 36 in.

    ESC $682 · median $858/LF

    −21%

  6. Soil nail verification test

    ESC $3,410 · median $2,796/EA

    +22%

  • Middle half of bids
  • Median bid
  • ESC rate, as a GC carries it

Each row is scaled so its median public bid sits at 1×, on a log scale. ESC’s rate is the published typical +10%, as a GC carries it. 6 of 40 rates shown, including 1 of the 7 over the median; all 40 are in the price check.

▸ Show the numbers
ESC’s rate as a GC carries it against the public bids for the same work, for the rates in the figure
RateESC, as carriedMedian bidMiddle halfvs medianLettings
Obstruction drilling, 36 in.$1,485/LF$2,480/LF$447–4,922/LF−40%13
Soldier pile & lagging$70.95/SF$103/SF$53.23–163/SF−31%119
Rock socket, 36 in.$3,905/LF$5,436/LF$3,016–10,729/LF−28%23
Soil nail wall$171/SF$217/SF$156–263/SF−22%26
Drilled shaft in soil, 36 in.$682/LF$858/LF$506–1,512/LF−21%17
Soil nail verification test$3,410/EA$2,796/EA$1,540–4,735/EA+22%21
Rates compared
40
Published rates across 18 book items, 32 on strong evidence
Public bids
1,953
230 lettings · 10 agencies · 2003–2026
Median position
−23%
Against the median bid, with ESC's rate as a GC carries it (+10%)
Rates valid through
Dec 13, 2026
Unit Price Package, rev 1

Basis. Public agency bid tabulations from 10 agencies, 2003–2026, each bid restated to 2026 dollars and a typical job size, with recent lettings weighted more. ESC’s rate is its published typical +10%, as a general contractor carries it in a bid. How it was measured

01 · Budget in 30 seconds

Price your scope from our published unit prices.

Priced live from ESC’s Unit Price Package (rev 1) with the book’s own formulas, so it matches the printed tables. Carry it on bid day; send drawings for a firm quote in 3 business days.

How these rates compare with 1,953 public bids
System to price
Budget · CP-PIER$183,150

Carport, BESS, substation & pole piers

A complete drilled pier, priced per pier by diameter and depth.

Pier diameter (inches)

Dotted sizes (over 42 in) are quoted per job.

Priced to 20 ft in this edition.

Where ledge sits above the tip.

Adds how deep rock typically sits in that town, from our town data.

Budget · typical

CP-PIER

$183,150

Range $152,150 to $262,850.

$12,450 per pier (excl. mobilization)

How the book adds it up

Per pier: 36 in. × 12 ft

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter (36 in. diameter)12 LF × $620$7,440
  • Reinforcing cage, furnish & set (or set only) (Furnish, fabricate and set)858 LB × $3.05$2,617
  • Shaft concrete placement (tremie / pump), material by others or included (Furnish and place)3.6 CY × $400$1,440
  • Set anchor-rod assembly / template (furnished by others)1 EA × $580$580
  • Set anchor-rod assembly / template (furnished by others) (Above-grade stick-up form only)1 EA × $385$385

Per pier, rounded as the book prints it$12,450

Job

  • 12 piers × $12,450CP-PIER$149,400
  • Drill rig mobilization / demobilization, local (0-60 mi)MOB-DRILL-LOCAL, once per site$33,750

Budget$183,150

Same formulas and rounding as the printed book. See the CP-PIER table

Get a firm quote in 3 business daysSee all unit prices
Carry
ESC CP-PIER 36 in. × 12 ft × 12 piers + MOB-DRILL-LOCAL
Book
Rev 1 · valid through Dec 13, 2026
Basis
Prices carry prevailing wage with certified payroll. Private or open-shop work? Ask for a firm quote. Deeper, larger or other work is quoted per job.

Included

  • Layout from GC-provided control
  • Drilling in soil to design depth
  • Reinforcing cage furnished and set
  • Concrete placed, form stick-up
  • Anchor rod/template setting
  • Spoils beside the hole
  • Drill rig mobilization / demobilization, local (0-60 mi)

Not included

  • Anchor rods, templates, base plates, grout
  • Rock sockets, casing, obstructions (adders)
  • Off-site spoils disposal, contaminated soil
  • Survey as-builts, special inspection, testing

02 · Price check

Where our rates land in the field

Each row is one published ESC rate, set against the public bids for the same work and drawn against that work’s own median bid, so all 40 rates share one scale.

  • The diamond is our rate as a GC carries it: the published rate +10%, because a public pay-line price already carries the general contractor’s markup on sub work.
  • The line down the chart is the median public bid, 1×. Left of it is under the field, right of it over.
  • The band holds the middle half of bids, the hairline the middle 80%.

On the typical rate, our number as a GC carries it sits 23% under the median bid, and 61% of public bids were priced above it.

By system
SystemUnderTypical
Soldier Pile & Lagging2 of 2−38%
Pump-Station Boxes & Pits2 of 2−33%
Underpinning1 of 1−41%
Rock Anchors & Dowels3 of 60%
Soil Nails4 of 6−19%
Drilled Shafts & Caissons16 of 17−20%
Ground Checks & Testing0 of 1+13%
Obstructions5 of 5−41%

Typical: the middle rate’s position against its median public bid, as a GC carries it.

Order the rates

Showing 40 of 40 rates · 33 under the median bid, 7 over

  • Middle half of public bids (hairline: middle 80%)
  • Bids run on past the axis
  • Median bid = 1×
  • ESC rate, as a GC carries it (+10%)
  • Strong evidence (8+ lettings)
  • Moderate (3–7 lettings, drawn lighter)

Prices in 2026 dollars. Every bid is restated to a typical ESC job size, and size families to each diameter. Recent lettings weigh more (a letting’s weight halves every 3 years) and each letting counts once. A rate is compared only with 3 or more lettings behind it. Hover or focus a row for the dollars; select it for the item’s full field of bids.

n = 1,953 bids · 230 lettings · 10 agencies · 2003–2026Source: public agency bid tabulationsMethodFull methodology

Where we’re over the median

On 7 of 40 published rates, our rate as a GC carries it (+10%) sits above the median public bid for the same work. They stay in every count, chart and table on this page, and each links to its full field of bids.

  • Middle half of bids
  • Median bid
  • ESC rate, as a GC carries it

03 · Item ledger

40 rates, line by line, against 1,953 public bids

Each line sets one of ESC’s published rates beside the public bids for the same pay item: the typical low bid, the middle half, the median and the 90th percentile. Compared as a GC carries it (+10%), ESC’s rate is under the median bid on 33 of 40 rates; the 7 rates over it stay on the ledger. Open any line to see it split by agency and by period.

Showing 40 of 40 rates · as a GC carries ESC’s rate (+10%): 33 under the median bid, 7 over

  • Middle half of bids
  • Median bid
  • Typical low bid
  • ESC rate, as a GC carries it

Soldier Pile & Lagging

2 of 2 rates under the median bid

  • Timber lagging, install (and remove where required)

    Left in place

    SPL-LAGGING-LIPper SFmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −40%vs the median bid

    below 60% of bids

    Low bid
    $12.52
    Median bid
    $75.58
    Middle half
    $17.83–93.71
    90th pct
    $171
    ESC published
    $41.50$32.50–56
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $45.65

    5 lettings · 35 bids · 2015–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT, RIDOT, VTrans

  • Timber lagging, install (and remove where required)

    Install and remove

    SPL-LAGGING-REMOVEper SFmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −36%vs the median bid

    below 58% of bids

    Low bid
    $12.52
    Median bid
    $75.58
    Middle half
    $17.83–93.71
    90th pct
    $171
    ESC published
    $44$36–59.50
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $48.40

    5 lettings · 35 bids · 2015–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT, RIDOT, VTrans

Pump-Station Boxes & Pits

2 of 2 rates under the median bid

  • Temporary support of excavation, per SF of retained face (DOT basis)

    Cantilever soldier pile & lagging

    SOE-FACE-SPLper SF

    −31%vs the median bid

    below 67% of bids

    Low bid
    $24.29
    Median bid
    $103
    Middle half
    $53.23–163
    90th pct
    $259
    ESC published
    $64.50$64.50–87.50
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $70.95

    119 lettings · 716 bids · 2019–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT, RIDOT

  • Temporary support of excavation, per SF of retained face (DOT basis)

    Braced system

    SOE-FACE-BRACEDper SF

    −34%vs the median bid

    below 69% of bids

    Low bid
    $24.29
    Median bid
    $103
    Middle half
    $53.23–163
    90th pct
    $259
    ESC published
    $61.50$61.50–90.50
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $67.65

    119 lettings · 716 bids · 2019–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT, RIDOT

Underpinning

1 rate, under the median bid

  • Underpinning, pit-and-pour (hand-dug sequential pits, concrete)

    UP-PIT-POURper CYmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −41%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $6,086
    Median bid
    $8,432
    Middle half
    $4,041–9,954
    90th pct
    $10,942
    ESC published
    $4,550$3,550–6,450
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $5,005

    4 lettings · 20 bids · 2015–23 · NHDOT, CTDOT

Rock Anchors & Dowels

3 of 6 rates under the median bid, 3 over

  • Rock anchor, drilled, grouted, threadbar

    Threadbar anchor

    RA-ANCHOR-BARper LF

    +5%vs the median bid

    below 46% of bids

    Low bid
    $206
    Median bid
    $209
    Middle half
    $200–323
    90th pct
    $477
    ESC published
    $200$145–290
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $220

    11 lettings · 38 bids · 2012–22 · NHDOT

  • Rock dowel / footing pin, drilled & grouted (untensioned)

    Up to 10 ft embedment

    RA-DOWEL-10per EA

    +2%vs the median bid

    below 48% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,760
    Median bid
    $2,096
    Middle half
    $1,640–3,643
    90th pct
    $4,211
    ESC published
    $1,950$1,550–2,650
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $2,145

    11 lettings · 36 bids · 2012–23 · NHDOT, MaineDOT, MassDOT

  • Rock dowel / footing pin, drilled & grouted (untensioned)

    Added embedment over base

    RA-DOWEL-LFper LF

    +2%vs the median bid

    below 48% of bids

    Low bid
    $176
    Median bid
    $210
    Middle half
    $164–364
    90th pct
    $421
    ESC published
    $195$155–270
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $215

    11 lettings · 36 bids · 2012–23 · NHDOT, MaineDOT, MassDOT

  • Anchor performance test

    ANC-TEST-PERFper EA

    −24%vs the median bid

    below 71% of bids

    Low bid
    $3,101
    Median bid
    $4,418
    Middle half
    $3,094–7,688
    90th pct
    $10,114
    ESC published
    $3,050$2,450–4,250
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $3,355

    11 lettings · 57 bids · 2019–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT

  • Anchor performance test

    Extended creep test

    ANC-TEST-CREEPper EAmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −2%vs the median bid

    below 50% of bids

    Low bid
    $3,394
    Median bid
    $4,249
    Middle half
    $3,550–7,632
    90th pct
    $9,288
    ESC published
    $3,800$3,750–5,350
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $4,180

    4 lettings · 16 bids · 2019–24 · CTDOT

  • Anchor proof test

    ANC-TEST-PROOFper EA

    −31%vs the median bid

    below 60% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,113
    Median bid
    $2,468
    Middle half
    $1,332–3,764
    90th pct
    $4,724
    ESC published
    $1,550$1,250–2,150
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $1,705

    11 lettings · 57 bids · 2019–26 · CTDOT, MassDOT

Soil Nails

4 of 6 rates under the median bid, 2 over

  • Soil nail, drilled & grouted

    Solid threadbar in drilled hole

    SN-NAIL-SOLIDper LFmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −47%vs the median bid

    below 80% of bids

    Low bid
    $143
    Median bid
    $250
    Middle half
    $154–313
    90th pct
    $359
    ESC published
    $120$100–175
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $132

    3 lettings · 17 bids · 2018–23 · CTDOT, MaineDOT, NHDOT

  • Soil nail, drilled & grouted

    Self-drilling hollow bar

    SN-NAIL-HOLLOWper LFmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    −43%vs the median bid

    below 75% of bids

    Low bid
    $143
    Median bid
    $250
    Middle half
    $154–313
    90th pct
    $359
    ESC published
    $130$110–170
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $143

    3 lettings · 17 bids · 2018–23 · CTDOT, MaineDOT, NHDOT

  • Shotcrete facing (temporary), by ESC's shotcrete partner

    SN-FACINGper SFmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    +41%vs the median bid

    below 44% of bids

    Low bid
    $42.58
    Median bid
    $39.29
    Middle half
    $27.99–137
    90th pct
    $165
    ESC published
    $50.50$50.50–65
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $55.55

    3 lettings · 20 bids · 2018–22 · CTDOT, NHDOT

  • Soil nail verification / proof test

    Verification test

    SN-TEST-VERIFper EA

    +22%vs the median bid

    below 41% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,517
    Median bid
    $2,796
    Middle half
    $1,540–4,735
    90th pct
    $9,544
    ESC published
    $3,100$3,100–4,200
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $3,410

    21 lettings · 104 bids · 2019–26 · NCDOT, MaineDOT

  • Soil nail verification / proof test

    Proof test

    SN-TEST-PROOFper EA

    −16%vs the median bid

    below 70% of bids

    Low bid
    $600
    Median bid
    $1,055
    Middle half
    $814–1,405
    90th pct
    $2,376
    ESC published
    $805$640–1,100
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $886

    22 lettings · 105 bids · 2019–26 · NCDOT

  • Soil nail wall, complete, per SF of face (assembly)

    SN-WALLper SF

    −22%vs the median bid

    below 72% of bids

    Low bid
    $148
    Median bid
    $217
    Middle half
    $156–263
    90th pct
    $316
    ESC published
    $155$125–210
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $171

    26 lettings · 118 bids · 2019–26 · NCDOT, TxDOT

Drilled Shafts & Caissons

16 of 17 rates under the median bid, 1 over

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter

    18 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-SOIL-18per LF

    −20%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $209
    Median bid
    $460
    Middle half
    $271–811
    90th pct
    $1,149
    ESC published
    $335$265–505
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $369

    17 lettings · 101 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter

    24 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-SOIL-24per LF

    −21%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $270
    Median bid
    $596
    Middle half
    $351–1,050
    90th pct
    $1,489
    ESC published
    $430$350–665
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $473

    17 lettings · 101 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter

    30 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-SOIL-30per LF

    −20%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $330
    Median bid
    $728
    Middle half
    $430–1,283
    90th pct
    $1,820
    ESC published
    $530$415–810
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $583

    17 lettings · 101 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter

    36 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-SOIL-36per LF

    −21%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $389
    Median bid
    $858
    Middle half
    $506–1,512
    90th pct
    $2,144
    ESC published
    $620$495–1,000
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $682

    17 lettings · 101 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Drilled shaft / caisson excavation in soil, by diameter

    42 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-SOIL-42per LF

    −20%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $447
    Median bid
    $986
    Middle half
    $581–1,737
    90th pct
    $2,463
    ESC published
    $715$575–1,200
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $787

    17 lettings · 101 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Rock socket, by diameter

    18 in. diameter

    DS-SOCKET-ROCK-18per LF

    −28%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,671
    Median bid
    $3,058
    Middle half
    $1,696–6,035
    90th pct
    $7,223
    ESC published
    $2,000$1,100–3,000
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $2,200

    23 lettings · 139 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Rock socket, by diameter

    24 in. diameter

    DS-SOCKET-ROCK-24per LF

    −28%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $2,121
    Median bid
    $3,883
    Middle half
    $2,154–7,663
    90th pct
    $9,172
    ESC published
    $2,550$1,350–3,900
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $2,805

    23 lettings · 139 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Rock socket, by diameter

    30 in. diameter

    DS-SOCKET-ROCK-30per LF

    −28%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $2,553
    Median bid
    $4,673
    Middle half
    $2,592–9,222
    90th pct
    $11,038
    ESC published
    $3,050$1,550–4,500
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $3,355

    23 lettings · 139 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Rock socket, by diameter

    36 in. diameter

    DS-SOCKET-ROCK-36per LF

    −28%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $2,970
    Median bid
    $5,436
    Middle half
    $3,016–10,729
    90th pct
    $12,842
    ESC published
    $3,550$1,750–5,350
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $3,905

    23 lettings · 139 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Rock socket, by diameter

    42 in. diameter

    DS-SOCKET-ROCK-42per LF

    −28%vs the median bid

    below 65% of bids

    Low bid
    $3,375
    Median bid
    $6,178
    Middle half
    $3,427–12,194
    90th pct
    $14,595
    ESC published
    $4,050$2,000–6,100
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $4,455

    23 lettings · 139 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT, CTDOT

  • Reinforcing cage, furnish & set (or set only)

    Furnish, fabricate and set

    DS-CAGE-FURNISHper LBmoderate evidence, fewer than 8 lettings

    +25%vs the median bid

    below 14% of bids

    Low bid
    $2.17
    Median bid
    $2.68
    Middle half
    $2.19–2.89
    90th pct
    $4.34
    ESC published
    $3.05$3.05–3.25
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $3.36

    6 lettings · 26 bids · 2013–24 · NHDOT

  • Crosshole sonic logging (CSL) access tubes

    DS-CSL-TUBEper LF

    −26%vs the median bid

    below 62% of bids

    Low bid
    $9.75
    Median bid
    $21.69
    Middle half
    $10.70–30.40
    90th pct
    $53.68
    ESC published
    $14.50$14.50–18
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $15.95

    12 lettings · 58 bids · 2019–25 · MassDOT

  • Complete drilled shaft in soil (excavation, cage & concrete), by diameter

    18 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-COMPLETE-18per LF

    −4%vs the median bid

    below 55% of bids

    Low bid
    $220
    Median bid
    $235
    Middle half
    $220–271
    90th pct
    $709
    ESC published
    $205$170–270
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $226

    13 lettings · 107 bids · 2003–26 · MBTA, CTDOT, MaineTurnpike

  • Complete drilled shaft in soil (excavation, cage & concrete), by diameter

    24 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-COMPLETE-24per LF

    −5%vs the median bid

    below 57% of bids

    Low bid
    $304
    Median bid
    $325
    Middle half
    $305–374
    90th pct
    $980
    ESC published
    $280$245–360
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $308

    13 lettings · 107 bids · 2003–26 · MBTA, CTDOT, MaineTurnpike

  • Complete drilled shaft in soil (excavation, cage & concrete), by diameter

    30 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-COMPLETE-30per LF

    −5%vs the median bid

    below 57% of bids

    Low bid
    $391
    Median bid
    $418
    Middle half
    $392–482
    90th pct
    $1,261
    ESC published
    $360$310–455
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $396

    13 lettings · 107 bids · 2003–26 · MBTA, CTDOT, MaineTurnpike

  • Complete drilled shaft in soil (excavation, cage & concrete), by diameter

    36 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-COMPLETE-36per LF

    −5%vs the median bid

    below 56% of bids

    Low bid
    $481
    Median bid
    $514
    Middle half
    $482–592
    90th pct
    $1,549
    ESC published
    $445$410–560
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $490

    13 lettings · 107 bids · 2003–26 · MBTA, CTDOT, MaineTurnpike

  • Complete drilled shaft in soil (excavation, cage & concrete), by diameter

    42 in. diameter

    DS-SHAFT-COMPLETE-42per LF

    −5%vs the median bid

    below 56% of bids

    Low bid
    $572
    Median bid
    $611
    Middle half
    $573–704
    90th pct
    $1,843
    ESC published
    $530$515–655
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $583

    13 lettings · 107 bids · 2003–26 · MBTA, CTDOT, MaineTurnpike

Ground Checks & Testing

1 rate, over the median bid

  • Pile / anchor load test program

    Axial compression

    GC-LOAD-TEST-COMPper EA

    +13%vs the median bid

    below 46% of bids

    Low bid
    $24,009
    Median bid
    $54,938
    Middle half
    $13,626–114,048
    90th pct
    $151,004
    ESC published
    $56,250$56,250–90,000
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $61,875

    20 lettings · 105 bids · 2019–25 · MassDOT, RIDOT, MBTA, NHDOT

Obstructions

5 of 5 rates under the median bid

  • Obstruction drilling, per LF by diameter

    18 in. diameter

    OBS-LF-18per LF

    −41%vs the median bid

    below 61% of bids

    Low bid
    $610
    Median bid
    $1,257
    Middle half
    $227–2,494
    90th pct
    $3,713
    ESC published
    $675$375–1,000
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $743

    13 lettings · 78 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT

  • Obstruction drilling, per LF by diameter

    24 in. diameter

    OBS-LF-24per LF

    −41%vs the median bid

    below 61% of bids

    Low bid
    $808
    Median bid
    $1,667
    Middle half
    $301–3,307
    90th pct
    $4,923
    ESC published
    $890$475–1,350
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $979

    13 lettings · 78 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT

  • Obstruction drilling, per LF by diameter

    30 in. diameter

    OBS-LF-30per LF

    −42%vs the median bid

    below 61% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,006
    Median bid
    $2,074
    Middle half
    $374–4,116
    90th pct
    $6,127
    ESC published
    $1,100$565–1,650
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $1,210

    13 lettings · 78 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT

  • Obstruction drilling, per LF by diameter

    36 in. diameter

    OBS-LF-36per LF

    −40%vs the median bid

    below 61% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,203
    Median bid
    $2,480
    Middle half
    $447–4,922
    90th pct
    $7,327
    ESC published
    $1,350$665–2,000
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $1,485

    13 lettings · 78 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT

  • Obstruction drilling, per LF by diameter

    42 in. diameter

    OBS-LF-42per LF

    −41%vs the median bid

    below 61% of bids

    Low bid
    $1,399
    Median bid
    $2,885
    Middle half
    $520–5,725
    90th pct
    $8,522
    ESC published
    $1,550$760–2,350
    As a GC carries it (+10%)
    $1,705

    13 lettings · 78 bids · 2019–26 · MassDOT

Basis. Public agency bid tabulations: 1,953 bids on 230 lettings from 10 agencies, 2003–2026. Every bid is restated to 2026 dollars and a typical ESC job size, with size families read at each diameter. A letting’s weight halves every 3 years, and each letting counts once.

ESC’s rate is compared as a GC carries it: the published typical +10%, because a public pay-line price includes the GC’s markup on sub work. The typical low bid is the weighted median of each pay line’s lowest bid, and the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Strong evidence means 8 or more lettings; moderate, 3 to 7. A split shows an agency or a period only when it has 3 or more lettings.

Download CSVMethodology

Carry our number on bid day. For a firm quote, send drawings to bids@earthsupportcorp.com and we return one within 3 business days, or request a quote online.

04 · Scope check

What the per-unit gap adds up to on a scope

Per-unit gaps are abstract. Pick a scope a general contractor would recognize, set illustrative quantities, and see ESC’s published rates, as a GC carries them, added up beside the median public bid for exactly the same lines. Lines where ESC prices over the median stay in.

Scope to check

Drilled shafts

Illustrative

Quantities start near the job size the public bids are restated to. Change any of them.

Shaft diameter (inches)

0 where the shafts stay in soil.

Each tube runs the drilled length.

0 where cages are by others.

Carry the bid form's contingent quantity.

See the totals ↓
ESC, as a GC carries it
$199,316
Published typical rates + 10% GC markup
Median public bid, same lines
$245,750
Middle half $146,272–$429,391, summed line by line (an approximation)
Difference
−$46,435
−19% against the median total

At these illustrative quantities, ESC's lines come to $199,316 as a GC carries them, $46,435 (19%) under the $245,750 the same lines total at the median public bid. ESC is under the median bid on 3 of 4 lines and over it on 1.

  • ESC
  • Median bid, line by line
  • Middle half, summed line by line
  • Median total

Read before you use these totals

  • Separate mobilization, ground-condition adders and bonds are outside this comparison.
  • Public unit prices vary with site, access and quantity.
  • Every public bid is restated to 2026 dollars and to a typical ESC job size, so totals read best near the starting quantities.
  • Only lines with a like-for-like public comparison are included; the estimator prices the rest.
  • An illustrative scope, not a quote.
Drilled shafts, illustrative scope: each line at ESC's rate as a GC carries it and at the median public bid.
ItemQtyUnitESC rate, carriedMedian bidESC lineMedian lineDifferenceESC in the field
Shaft excavation in soil36 in. diameter · 17 lettings140LF$682$858$95,480$120,154−$24,674−21% (under the median)
Rock socket36 in. diameter · 23 lettings16LF$3,905$5,436$62,480$86,977−$24,497−28% (under the median)
CSL access tubes12 lettings624LF$15.95$21.69$9,953$13,535−$3,582−26% (under the median)
Reinforcing cagesFurnish, fabricate and set · 6 lettings · moderate evidence9,360LB$3.36$2.68$31,403$25,085+$6,318+25% (over the median)
Scope totalLines: 4$199,316$245,750−$46,435−19%

Rates as a GC carries them; line totals in whole dollars. Moderate evidence: fewer than 8 public lettings.

Next step

Price the whole scope, mobilization included, with the estimator.

Then send drawings, boring logs and your bid date for a firm, line-item quote within 3 business days.

Price it with the estimatorEmail drawingsOr use the quote form

05 · Method

How we measured it, and what it can’t tell you.

40 published rates, checked against 1,953 public bids on 230 lettings from 10 public agencies. Every step is written down, every number downloads, and no bidder or project is named.

How we measured

  1. Public bids, as the agencies published them

    Bid tabulations from 10 public agencies: New England transportation, transit and turnpike agencies first, plus NCDOT and TxDOT where New England had fewer than 3 lettings. Marine structures are left out, and so is any tabulation that doesn’t list every bidder’s prices.

  2. Like for like

    Each published rate is matched to public pay items on its printed description, in the book’s unit. A rate is compared only when those pay items appear on at least 3 lettings.

  3. Restated to 2026 and a typical job

    Every bid is restated to 2026 dollars with a construction price index measured from public bid results, and to a typical ESC job size along a quantity-scale curve. Items priced by diameter are read along a diameter curve fitted to the bids.

  4. Recent lettings count more, each letting once

    A letting’s weight halves every 3 years and is split across its bids, so a crowded letting doesn’t outvote a thin one. Pools use 2019 onward when that still leaves 8 lettings, and all years otherwise.

  5. ESC’s rate, as a GC carries it

    A public pay-line price is a general contractor’s carry, including its markup on sub work. So ESC’s number is its published typical rate plus 10%, set against the weighted median and spread of the field.

Coverage

Published rates comparedacross 18 price book items
40
Public bidsone bidder’s price on one pay line
1,953
Lettingspublic contract openings
230
Public agenciesin 8 states
10
Bid years11 of 21 pools read 2019 on
2003–2026
Strong · moderatestrong = 8+ lettings
32 · 8

202 of 230 lettings are from New England agencies

  • CTDOT102 lettings
  • MassDOT57 lettings
  • NHDOT23 lettings
  • MBTA10 lettings
  • RIDOT6 lettings
  • MaineDOT2 lettings
  • Maine Turnpike1 letting
  • VTrans1 letting
  • NCDOT24 lettings
  • TxDOT4 lettings

National agencies fill in only where New England had fewer than 3 lettings for the work.

Read it with care

  • Unit prices move. Public unit prices vary with site, access and quantity, and some bidders unbalance line items, loading one pay item and lightening another. Read the middle of the field, not any single bid.

  • Not a quote. This compares published budget rates with public records. It is not a quote or a guarantee; a firm price comes from your drawings, within 3 business days.

  • Per unit only. Mobilization, bonds and ground-condition adders are separate items in the price book, so they sit outside the per-unit comparison.

  • Evidence is graded. 32 of 40 rates rest on 8 or more lettings (strong); the other 8 rest on 3 to 7 (moderate).

Read the full methodology

Sources, windows, restatement, weighting, definitions and every evidence pool.

Published by Earth Support Corp. from public agency bid tabulations. A comparison of published budget rates: not a quote or a guarantee, and not a statement about any bidder or project. For a firm, line-item price, email your drawings to bids@earthsupportcorp.com and we quote within 3 business days. Spot an error? Tell us.

Bid day

Carry our number on bid day.

Send the drawings, borings and your bid date. You get a firm, line-item quote within 3 business days, built on the same published unit prices.

Request a firm quotebids@earthsupportcorp.com

The rates behind the number

Under the median public bid on 33 of 40 published rates, with ESC’s rate as a GC carries it (+10%). Rates valid through Dec 13, 2026; budget figures, not an offer until confirmed in a signed ESC quote.

CallEmailStart Quote