While push piers are generally the more expensive option for heavy commercial loads, specific project conditions can make a helical pier a more costly or recommended choice depending on the manufacturing and site requirements.

A contractor might recommend a helical pier over a push pier due to the following factors:

• Site Accessibility: Helical piers use portable torque motors that can be carried by two workers, making them ideal for tight spaces like crawl spaces where heavy push pier machinery cannot operate.
• Manufacturing Complexity: Helical piers involve a more complex fabrication process, including steel shafts with pre-welded helices and corrosion-resistant galvanization. This increased manufacturing complexity results in a higher typical cost range per linear foot ($180 – $300) compared to push piers ($150 – $250).
• Soil Composition Requirements: In areas with expansive clay or rocky terrain common in Colorado, contractors may need to use advanced torque motors or custom-manufactured piers with specific coatings. These specialized requirements can add 15-25% to the material costs.
• Load Appropriateness: For lighter to moderate loads, such as single-story commercial additions, helical piers are often the recommended structural solution, even if the per-unit material cost is higher, because they achieve capacity efficiently through torque-monitored installation.