How Much Does Well Drilling Cost? [2026 Data]

Drilling a well costs $5,500, but it can range between $1,800 and $24,500, or around $25 to $65 per foot. You might pay less for a shallow, narrow well, while homeowners aiming for a deep-water well system with wide steel casing can expect to pay up to $24,500. 

The total cost includes digging the well itself, various plumbing and electric components, permits, and the well's location. Here’s how you can estimate the cost and budget for a new well. 

Cost to Drill a Well per Foot

Most water well drilling services are priced by the depth of the well in feet. The average cost to drill a well ranges from $25 to $65 per foot, although $25 to $35 per foot is a good guideline for most projects.

Expect to pay more when digging in remote areas or through rocky, sloped, dry, or low-quality soil. In these conditions, budget at least $50 to $75 per foot.

Many residential water wells require digging at least 50 to 200 feet deep with a 4- to 8-inch casing pipe. At an average of $30 per foot, you could pay between $1,500 and $6,000 to drill a standard residential well. Using a larger 8-inch casing will increase your project budget to roughly $4,200 to $25,000.

PVC casing is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Steel casing is for heavier digs with higher heat content but is not corrosion-resistant.

Well Drilling Cost Factors

Besides the cost per foot, here’s what goes into the price you’ll pay for digging a well. 

Well Type 

The type of well also affects the overall cost. Here are the most common types of wells and what you can expect to pay for each.

Well Drilling Method 

Depending on where you’re building a water well, you’ll need to choose one method: drilling, driving, or digging to reach groundwater.

Using the example of a 150-foot well depth, you can expect these methods to cost:

Driven wells (built with a smaller diameter) and dug wells (wells dug by hand) are more shallow than drilled wells and are only available for homes where the water table is 50 feet or less in depth.

Well Pump Contractor Costs 

Many well drilling contractors factor their labor rates into the overall pricing for their services. That means you’ll see a package deal cost rather than a separate labor fee. However, you can ask for itemized estimates and invoices. That said, many companies do offer separate hourly and per-project services.

For example, if you need to hire a contractor to replace your well pump, expect to pay between $45 and $150 per hour or $250 and $1,000 for the project. This cost reflects the contractor's training and professional expertise and will vary depending on the complexity of the project and your location.

Location

Where you live will impact the cost of drilling a new well. Labor rates vary widely between states and within urban and rural areas. You’ll want to research costs in your specific area, but here’s a glimpse at how prices vary in some states.

The soil conditions and water levels where you live will also affect your overall price. In California, for example, you’ll need to drill a deeper well to reach the water table (located beneath the groundwater level). The desert climate in Arizona has rocky and dry soils that make drilling a well more challenging.

Sometimes, the water table could be as shallow as 25 feet or as deep as 1,000 feet. Digging each foot will add $25 to $60 to your bill, meaning your final price can vary widely.

Budget for higher costs if you live in a hard-to-reach place, such as on a steep hill or remote area. The same is true if you’re on a heavily wooded lot or if your drilling contractor will have to maneuver around obstacles and have difficulty getting large equipment and vehicles to the drill site.

Find a local well pump contractor to determine how much this project costs in your area.

Additional Costs to Consider

Now that you know how well type, drilling method, labor, and location impact the cost of a new well, let’s look at additional factors that influence well drilling costs. Your contractor will be able to tell you which might apply to you and how it will change your project and budget.

Distance to the Home

The closer the well is to your house, the less you’ll pay. A shorter distance decreases the length of water and electric supply lines that run between your home and the well, which cost between $50 and $150 per foot.

Well Pump

A well pump extracts water from the ground and brings it up to the house. It’s one of the most essential pieces of a water well, so it’s also worth factoring in common well pump repair costs you might have to pay over the lifespan of the well.

Well pumps range from $900 to $2,500. Your total cost will depend on whether you need a shallow or deep well pump, the distance to the storage tank, special inclines, and whether your pump is above the groundwater or submerged below the water table.

Casing Pipe

Well casing pipe supports the wall of your well and prevents loose rock or soil from penetrating or collapsing your system.

The most common casing material is PVC pipe casing, which is the most affordable at $6 to $10 per foot. Expect to pay more for galvanized or stainless steel pipes, depending on the diameter ($30 to $130 or more per foot). Most residential wells use casing measuring 4 to 6 inches in diameter, but older wells might need an 8-inch diameter pipe. For a 50-foot well with a 4-inch casing, you’d pay just over $1,700, while an 8-inch well casing would cost about $4,200. The wider the pipe, the more expensive your material costs will be. 

Pressure Tank

A water pressure tank extracts clean water from your well and pressurizes it until you need it. Pressure tanks range in price based on size—you can get a small, 2-gallon tank for $200 or a large 44-gallon tank for upward of $1,100. Most homeowners pay between $300 and $500 (plus installation fees) for their pressure tank.

Purification System

Most wells use a reverse osmosis system to purify the water so it’s safe for consumption. Purification systems can vary widely in cost depending on capacity needs, running homeowners anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000 for the unit and an additional $200 to $400 for the labor required to install it.

Electrical Components

Depending on the intricacy of your project, you may need two-wire or three-wire electrical configurations to control tank pressure and help regulate the amount of water coming into your home. These supply line configurations cost between $50 and $150 per foot, with an additional $160 to $500 for labor.

Water Testing

Once you drill your well, you must test the water quality for safety before consuming it. Before drinking, test the well water for bacteria, contaminants, chemicals, metals, and pollutants. 

You can purchase a DIY testing kit for about $100 or pay between $50 and $600 to hire a pro to submit your sample to a lab for a full analysis.

Permits

Most states require a drilling permit and restrict the amount of water you can pump over time. You’ll have to pay these permitting fees regardless of whether you hire an expert or decide to dig your own well on your property. Residential permits to construct a well vary greatly from place to place but cost between $200 and $500.

Maintenance

Wells require regular maintenance, which includes yearly well inspections, cleaning out debris, and fixing any issues that might pop up. You can expect to pay $200 to $900 for well maintenance each year, and an average well inspection costs $250 to $550. 

Water Treatment

In addition to testing the water during installation, you’ll need to regularly test your well water for contaminants and minerals, as water supplies can change. You may also need filters, softeners, or another system to keep the water quality top-notch. Budget around $50 to $600 for regular water testing. If your water needs new treatment systems, it can cost thousands to install them. 

Electricity

You’ll have ongoing electricity costs to power the well pump. The amount of electricity it needs can depend on the depth of the well and the water demand. On average, expect to add between $100 and $400 each year to your electricity bill. 

Why You Should Hire a Well Drilling Pro

Digging or drilling a shallow well requires specialized machinery, permits, and expertise. Hiring a licensed well drilling contractor near you ensures the system is built safely, legally, and deep enough to reach clean, reliable groundwater.

Here’s Why It’s Ideal to Hire a Well Drilling Pro

Well drilling is complex, involving excavation, plumbing, electrical work, and environmental regulations, which is why you should hire a drilling professional.

• Contractors use heavy drilling rigs that can bore through rocky or deep soil—these tools are too large for homeowners to use safely.

• Pros ensure the well depth meets local health standards and test the water for contaminants before use.

• Licensed drillers manage required permits, testing, and inspections to avoid costly violations or fines.

• A pro can size your casing, pump, and pressure tank correctly so the entire system functions efficiently for decades.

• Proper drilling prevents issues like collapsing walls, dry wells, or contaminated water, which can be extremely expensive to fix later.

• Digging or drilling a well without training can be dangerous—professionals are trained to handle machinery, power connections, and environmental hazards.

How to Save Money on Well Costs

You don’t want to cut corners when it comes to well drilling. It’s essential that the well is deep enough to avoid contaminated water and has the right equipment to keep water flowing to your home. But there are some steps you can take when planning and maintaining your well to save on the overall costs:

• Different well drilling companies have different methods, equipment, and abilities that impact overall pricing. For example, if your home is on rocky or dense soil, a company with the right drilling equipment can do the job faster, cutting labor costs. Talk with a few companies and compare what each offers, the quality of their services, and how their costs vary.

• Work with a professional to determine the best location for your well so you can optimize the drilling depth and costs. The shallower the well is, and the closer you can drill it to your home, the lower the cost.

• Choose an energy-efficient pump that meets your water needs without overspending on a larger pump than necessary.

• Implement water-conserving practices to reduce overall water usage, decreasing the pump's workload and extending its lifespan.

• Have regular well inspections and address issues as soon as possible to prevent costly repairs later on. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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