Diamond core drilling makes perfectly round, clean holes in concrete — no hammering, no cracks, no damage. It's THE way to go through a slab or foundation wall.
Most common uses
- Plumbing: pipe pass-throughs, French drain, sewer outlet
- Electrical / cabling: wire pass-throughs between floors, service entries
- Ventilation / HVAC: dryer vents, air exchangers, range hoods
- Commercial buildings: network cable pass-throughs, sprinklers, technical sleeves — see our commercial section →
- Concrete testing: core extraction for strength analysis
Why coring instead of a jackhammer?
- Perfectly round, clean hole, easy to seal
- No cracks in the surrounding structure
- Quiet and dust-free (wet cutting)
- Fast: a standard hole often takes under an hour
Diamond core drilling in pictures
Diamond core bit
Core bits, several diametersDepending on diameter, thickness and access. Volume discounts for multiple holes — common in commercial projects.
Read our complete concrete coring guide →
Concrete coring FAQ
What hole diameters can you core?
From 1 inch to 14 inches. The most requested: 4 in. for a dryer vent, 3 in. for a drain, 6 in. for a range hood or air exchanger, and 2 in. for electrical wiring. Above 14 in. we switch to sawing instead of coring.
How much does a cored hole cost?
Between $150 and $400 per hole depending on diameter, concrete thickness and access. The rate drops when several holes are done in the same location. See the full 2026 price grid →
Will it crack the concrete around the hole?
No. That is exactly the point of diamond coring: the bit grinds through the concrete instead of hammering it. The hole is perfectly round, the edges are clean, and no shock travels through the slab or wall — unlike a jackhammer.
Can you core through rebar?
Yes. Diamond core bits go through reinforced concrete without trouble. We tell you in advance if a wall is heavily reinforced, since it adds cutting time and therefore cost.