Screw Pile Calculator
Estimate the number and total length of screw piles needed along a bearer or beam run.
Screw Pile Calculator
Estimate the number and length of screw piles needed along a bearer run.
Estimating Screw Pile Quantities
Screw piles are steel piles wound into the ground rather than bored and poured, making them a fast, low-disruption footing option for decks, verandahs, carports and other light structures. Because they are driven rather than concreted, sizing a screw pile project mainly comes down to how many piles you need along a bearer or beam run and how deep each one goes.
Pile quantity is calculated as ceiling(run length ÷ spacing) + 1 — one pile at each end of the run plus however many fit at your chosen spacing in between. Total pile length is then simply the pile quantity multiplied by the average depth, giving you a figure to work from when ordering piles or pricing installation.
What Information You Need To Enter
Enter the total length of the bearer or beam run in metres, select a pile spacing between 1.2 m and 2.0 m, and enter the average pile depth in metres. Spacing and depth depend on the loads your structure carries and the soil conditions on site, so check your engineering drawings where available.
Understanding Your Results
The calculator returns the number of screw piles required and the total combined pile length. These figures are for planning purposes — a geotechnical assessment will confirm the actual depth needed to achieve the required load capacity for your specific site.
Why Accurate Estimating Matters
Knowing pile quantity and length upfront helps you budget a deck or verandah project and compare screw piles against bored piers as a footing option before committing to a design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a screw pile and when is it used?
A screw pile is a steel pile with helical flights wound into the ground using hydraulic equipment. It is commonly used for decks, verandahs, carports and other light structures where a fast, low-disruption footing is preferred over a bored and poured pier.
How is screw pile spacing determined?
Spacing depends on the bearer size, the loads being supported, and the structure's design. 1.8 m to 2.0 m is common for residential decks, but always check your engineering drawings or supplier specification.
Screw piles or bored piers -- which is better?
Screw piles install faster with less mess and are well suited to light structures, while bored piers are typically used for heavier loads such as house slabs and retaining walls. The right choice depends on your project and site conditions.
Do screw piles need concrete?
No. Screw piles are steel and are wound directly into the ground, which is one of the main advantages over a bored and poured concrete pier.
How deep do screw piles need to go?
Depth depends on soil conditions and the required load capacity, confirmed by testing during installation or by a geotechnical assessment for larger structures.
Related Calculators & Services
Need An Exact Price, Not Just An Estimate?
The Screw Pile Calculator gives you a fast, useful planning figure. For a fixed, accurate price backed by a site assessment, request a free professional quotation from HPL Construction.
