If you do not want to pay a monthly water bill, you will have to drill a well at your property to use water. As wells are private property, every cost related to a well is the responsibility of the owner. Either it is drilling, maintenance, testing, or repair; you will have to bear the expenses yourself. When you decide to drill a well on your property, it is essential to know about the drilling cost. Please note that the drilling cost is almost the same across all the States. There may be little differences from one state to another.
Okay!! Now we are going to discuss well water drilling costs in the US. This article will help you get information about well drilling costs.
Average costs of Drilling a Well – An Overview
The total average cost varies from $1500 to $13,000. It depends upon the level of services you avail, the depth of drilling, materials used in the well casing, machinery used for drilling, pressure switch, type of storage tank used, and other equipment you are installing with the system.
Let’s look at a detailed breakdown of every component. Please keep in mind that the costs mentioned in this article are just an estimated average of the data we have collected from various states.
Cost of Drilling
For drilling and digging of a well, the costs can range from $20 to $30 and so on depending upon the type of services you avail. Digging cost is estimated to be $10-$15. Digging is ideal for shallow depths and soft soils. For more hard surfaces, where deeper penetration is needed, the process of drilling is required. An estimated amount for different types of wells is highlighted below
Residential Wells – Residential wells are the most inexpensive to drill. You can expect the cost to be in the range of $15 to $25 depending on the composition of the soil and the presence of rocks in it.
Agricultural Wells – For commercial pumps, the borehole is larger, and you need to go in deeper to get more pressure, this is why the costs are higher as compared to residential wells. Agricultural or irrigation wells per-foot drilling costs are around $35-$55 or higher in some cases.
Artesian Wells – When you use a water aquifer instead of a water pump, the cost comes out in the bracket of $30-$50. Such a system takes advantage of rock layers underneath the soil, and the well releases the pressure causing the water to rise naturally.
Re-drilling a Well – Some people may want to re-drill an already drilled well to get more pressure and more volume of water. The cost for this is around 300-700 dollars, including labor and materials, form a top-rated drilling company.
Costs of Well Components
The well components include well casing, water pump, pressure switch (along with the electrical wiring), pressure storage tank, and water treatment plant (optional). Let’s look at the individual cost of each component.
Well Casing – It is used to protect your well from soil and sediment contamination. It is the casing on the sides of the well, and its cost is directly related to the depth of the well and the material you use. For soft soils, PVC is fine, for soils with rocks and gravel, steel casing is recommended. The casing will cost $600-$2400, and the labor price is around $200-$500.
Well Pump – Well pump is one of the main components of a well water system. It usually costs around $100-$1000 depending upon the power and quality of the well. The labor for installing a water pump is $50-$200.
Pressure Switch & Wiring – The cost for pressure switch and wiring is approximately $50-150, and the labor is $200-$500. The pressure switch is used to control the pressure setting on the pump.
Pressure Storage Tank – It is the most costly part of your well system and is used to store the pumped water until it is used. Make sure you get a high-quality storage tank as it can interfere with your water quality. Expect to pay a hefty sum of $1500-$2500 along with labor charges of $200-$500.
Water Treatment Plants – Water treatment plants are also needed to ensure water purity. Though it is not a basic component of your well water system, keep in mind that you will have to install it as well to ensure that the water you are drinking is pure. The price varies depending upon the filtration capability and capacity. You can select the filter after getting the water tested.
The following table will clear the idea of total drilling costs along with all the components and labor in your mind.
| Depth in Feet | 4-inch PVC Casing | 6-inch Steel Casing | 8-inch Steel Casing |
| 50 | $1,775 | $3,060 | $4,200 |
| 100 | $3,550 | $6,120 | $8,400 |
| 150 | $5,325 | $9,180 | $12,600 |
| 200 | $7,100 | $12,240 | $16,800 |
| 250 | $8,875 | $15,300 | $21,000 |
| 300 | $10,650 | $18,360 | $25,200 |
| 350 | $12,425 | $21,420 | $29,400 |
| 400 | $14,200 | $24,480 | $33,600 |
Please note that for your understanding, the above prices include full prices for a well system with different casings.
Price Variation Factors
Certain factors can impact the total costs associated with setting up a well. These factors are explained below to give you a better idea about the total cost you will have to bear
Depth of the Well – If you are digging a deep well, the price will increase drastically as compared to digging a shallow well. If you are lucky, you may find water around 30-50 feet below the surface. Shallow wells may be cheaper but are exposed to a high risk of contamination. You will have to install a high-quality water filtration system along with a shallow well. State authorities regulate the minimum depth of your well in your respective state.
Soil Quality – The quality of soil can also influence the drilling cost. For soft soils without hard rocks, drilling cost is low. For hard soils with rocks, the price is higher. Drilling companies charge you more as they have to employ heavy technology and more personnel to get the work done.
Well Permit – You need a permit to drill a well on your property. You will have to pay according to the rules and regulations of your state. Your drilling company may be able to handle the permit work for you by charging you a little amount.
Distance to House – If the well is located at a faraway distance, you will have to pay more for laying up water pipes. If you are drilling a new well, try to build it a feasible distance from your home as you can save up to $50-$100 for every foot closer to your home.
Septic System – A septic system is used to dispose of wastewater. It costs around $3000-$7000. Get in touch with your local authorities or inquire about the drilling company about the size regulation in your state.
Water Testing Cost – For private well owners, getting the water tested every 6 months is very important because they are responsible for the well-being of their water. If you test the water at home with a DIY water testing kit, it will cost you around $30-$200, depending upon the strips and types of tests, for labs, you will have to pay around $100-$600.
| Well Drilling Costs by States | |
| State | Average Cost/Foot |
| Alabama | $28 – $59 |
| Alaska | $33 – $75 |
| Arizona | $26 – $58 |
| Arkansas | $27 – $57 |
| California | $30 – $65 |
| Colorado | $28 – $62 |
| Connecticut | $30 – $66 |
| Delaware | $29 – $63 |
| District of Columbia | $31 – $69 |
| Florida | $26 – $58 |
| Georgia | $28 – $59 |
| Hawaii | $33 – $73 |
| Idaho | $25 – $55 |
| Illinois | $28 – $63 |
| Indiana | $27 – $59 |
| Iowa | $27 – $59 |
| Kansas | $28 – $61 |
| Kentucky | $27 – $59 |
| Louisiana | $27 – $61 |
| Maine | $27 – $58 |
| Maryland | $29 – $62 |
| Massachusetts | $31 – $69 |
| Michigan | $28 – $62 |
| Minnesota | $28 – $61 |
| Mississippi | $26 – $58 |
| Missouri | $27 – $59 |
| Montana | $27 – $59 |
| Nebraska | $26 – $56 |
| Nevada | $28 – $62 |
| New Hampshire | $28 – $61 |
| New Jersey | $30 – $67 |
| New Mexico | $26 – $56 |
| New York | $30 – $65 |
| North Carolina | $27 – $59 |
| North Dakota | $29 – $64 |
| Ohio | $28 – $61 |
| Oklahoma | $27 – $58 |
| Oregon | $27 – $59 |
| Pennsylvania | $28 – $61 |
| Rhode Island | $29 – $64 |
| South Carolina | $28 – $61 |
| South Dakota | $26 – $58 |
| Tennessee | $27 – $60 |
| Texas | $28 – $62 |
| Utah | $27 – $59 |
| Vermont | $27 – $58 |
| Virginia | $27 – $59 |
| Washington | $28 – $61 |
| West Virginia | $27 – $58 |
| Wisconsin | $28 – $61 |
| Wyoming | $28 – $61 |
The cost of other components remains the same across all the states. We have mentioned the detail of every cost directly or indirectly associated with drilling a well. Now you can easily calculate an estimated amount for drilling a well in your property. The purpose of giving out this information is to make sure that drilling companies do not overcharge our valued readers.
FAQ
How to ensure that the well contractors are not overcharging me?
Once you have a quotation from one well contractor, you will have an exact figure with you. To make sure one particular contractor is not overcharging you, get quotations from other contractors in your area. You can also ask around your neighbors about how much they paid for drilling. In this way, you will have an idea about exact costs and can avoid being overcharged.
Can I drill a well myself?
Some states allow individuals to do a DIY well drilling on their properties. If you plan to carry out the drilling yourself, you need to check the local laws before doing it. If permitted, you will need to rent out the drilling machinery and arrange all the well equipment. Drilling wells is not an easy task; hence you must look for qualified well contractors.
How to choose the best well driller?
Before choosing a well contractor, look for state licenses. Never hire a contractor without a drilling license. Make sure you ask for references and previous work history. It is best to crosscheck with the well owners and ask them about their working experience with a particular contractor.
Which is better; city water or well water?
Both have some advantages and disadvantages. If you don’t want to pay monthly bills, then well water is your only option. Well water brings along water management tasks such as water quality, purification, maintenance of well and well equipment. City water users don’t have to worry about such things generally.