Can we save money by using shorter piles?

Hey! How deep do screw piles actually need to go? Can we save money by using shorter piles?

Hey! Absolutely do NOT try to save money by using shorter piles - this is one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make. The screwing depth must be at least 1.5 meters minimum, but often needs to be deeper depending on your local frost line. The pile tip must pass the freezing level of the soil - this is non-negotiable. If the pile doesn't go deep enough, frost heave forces will push it out during winter freeze-thaw cycles, causing foundation failure and potentially catastrophic structural damage to your building. In areas with deeper frost penetration, you may need piles going 2 meters or more. If construction is taking place on a site with large elevation differences, some piles may need to be up to 12 meters long to reach stable soil and maintain consistent foundation height. The depth requirement also depends on reaching load-bearing soil layers - soft or loose soil at shallow depths won't provide adequate support regardless of frost considerations. Trying to save money on pile length is false economy - the cost of foundation failure and structural repairs will be exponentially higher than the cost difference between proper and inadequate pile lengths. Full details at https://construction-tip-s.blogspot.com/2025/08/how-are-piles-installed.html Invest in proper depth from the start.