Core Drilling
At BritCut, we specialise in a comprehensive array of core drilling services tailored to meet your specific needs
Over 40 Years
Experience
Experience
Fully Accredited, Experienced
Trained Operatives
Trained Operatives
Free Site Visits and
Specialist Advice
Specialist Advice
Network Rail
Approved Contractors
Approved Contractors
Nationwide
Coverage
Coverage
Diamond Core Drilling Services
At BritCut we always use the highest quality diamond drill bits to create the most precise holes and openings required, through a wide range of materials. Where other techniques won’t work, we can bore holes in diameters from 12mm all the way up to a colossal 1500mm and to almost unlimited depths.
Across London, Kent and Essex, BritCut offers effective core drilling solutions. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Why choose BritCut for your Core Drilling
For the best diamond core drilling operators in London, Kent, and Essex, choose BritCut as your diamond drilling contractor. With our expansive industry knowledge and our team of skilled operatives we will be able to provide you with the most cost effective, safe, and accurate solution to your hole coring requirements. Our customer centred approach ensures that we will provide clear communication, transparency, and a tailored solution to every project. Whether it’s our diamond hole drilling you need, or if your project requires another unique concrete cutting method such as diamond track sawing or robotic demolition, we are ready to transform your job with excellence, precision, and safety at the forefront of everything we do.
Ready to get started? Call us now to schedule a free site survey.
WHAT IS CORE DRILLING?
Diamond core drilling is a way to create clean, accurate holes using a specialist diamond drill bit. As a non-percussive technique, we can utilise this method where retaining structural integrity is imperative, such as when a building isn’t being totally demolished. Core drilling offers many other advantages to more conventional drilling techniques including accuracy and efficiency as we can drill holes to the exact millimetre specified by the site.
HOW DOES CORE DRILLING WORK?
An electric or hydraulic powered rotary drill is mounted on a rig and fitted with a specialist hollow cylindrical drill bit which has diamond teeth welded to the end of the core barrel. Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material and so it is ideal for cutting through incredibly tough materials like reinforced concrete, metal, masonry, tile, stone, and asphalt. Using diamond tipped drill bits means that we can drill incredibly precise holes and as we run water through the driving shaft, this also ensures that the workspace remains dust free. The drilling rigs can be used either vertically or horizontally depending on the job requirements.
WHEN TO USE CORE DRILLING?
In any situation where very precise diameter holes are required, then diamond core drilling would be the most appropriate solution. This includes creating large openings for ducting, smaller holes for services, pipes and wiring, drilling holes for anchoring bolts as well as coring concrete for sample analysis – especially important since the investigation into RAAC concrete in schools and other public buildings. At BritCut we can also core holes to an almost unlimited depth by using long barrel drill bits with extension rods.
Core Drilling Near You
BritCut operates nationwide from our base in Dartford, Kent. View our full list of core drilling locations across the UK for local information on your area, or call us on 01322 221533 to confirm attendance at your site.
We Also Provide
Frequently asked questions — core drilling
What is core drilling used for?
Core drilling creates clean circular penetrations through concrete, brick and masonry for services installations — including pipes, cables, ducting, drainage, and M&E systems. It is also used to take concrete samples for structural testing.
What sizes of core holes can you cut?
We core from 12mm to 600mm diameter. Common sizes for M&E installations are 50mm, 100mm, 150mm and 200mm, but we drill to any specification required.
Do I need a ferro scan before core drilling?
Yes — always. Hitting rebar during coring damages the bit, weakens the structural element, and creates a safety risk. A ferro scan gives you exact rebar positions so we can place the hole safely. We can carry this out as part of the same visit.
Can you core through post-tensioned slabs?
Post-tensioned slabs require extreme caution. We use GPR scanning to locate post-tension cables before drilling. Cutting a post-tension cable can cause catastrophic structural failure — we will not core a post-tensioned slab without a full GPR survey first.
How long does core drilling take?
A standard 150mm core through a 250mm slab typically takes 15–30 minutes per hole. Deeper cores or heavily reinforced slabs take longer. We will give you a realistic programme estimate before starting work.
Can you work in confined or restricted spaces?
Yes. We use low-headroom rigs and angle drilling attachments for restricted access. Our operatives are experienced in plant rooms, basements, tunnels, and constrained environments.
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