Contractors utilize a per-pier location pricing model because it accurately reflects the specific labor, equipment, and engineering required at every individual support point. This method is considered an industry-best practice for several reasons:

• Independent Labor Requirements: Each pier location requires its own dedicated excavation, drilling, and installation process. Since soil conditions can shift across a single job site, this model accounts for the varying levels of difficulty at each specific spot.
• Variable Engineered Specifications: Load calculations and required depths often differ from one point to another. Charging per location allows the price to adjust naturally to these custom technical requirements.
• Fairness and Transparency: This model ensures you only pay for the specific number of piers your structure needs rather than a flat project fee that might overcharge for unused materials. It also allows homeowners to easily compare quotes between different contractors.
• Accounting for Complexity: Beyond materials, the price covers the “actual work” performed. For example, according to ACN Construction, the base cost typically includes labor and materials, while additional factors like mobilization fees and depth clauses handle the logistical costs of moving equipment and drilling deeper if stable soil is not immediately found.