How Much Does It Cost to Drill a Well in 2024?

Average Cost to Drill a Well

Well Drilling Cost Factors

Many cost factors impact the total price of drilling a new well on your property. Here are the top things to consider when estimating the cost to drill a well.

Type

Each variety of well comes with significant price differences. Certain well types are more suitable than others, so contact a local well drilling contractor to determine which option makes the most sense for your property:

Note that these prices include only the cost to drill (or dig/drive) a well and don’t include other essentials like the well pump replacement cost, casing, pumps, filtration systems, or the necessary materials for specialized wells (e.g., a heat pump for a geothermal well).

Depth

One of the main cost factors for drilling a well is the depth required. Drilling a well involves going as far down as needed to reach underground water reservoirs. In some cases, the water could be 200 or 300 feet deep or more, greatly increasing the drilling price as well as the cost of materials like well casing. For a standard drilled residential well, expect to pay between $15 and $25 per foot of well depth.

Location

Well drilling costs vary by location, though prices remain fairly consistent nationwide for residential well drilling projects. You may see regional price increases for more specialized well-drilling services. For instance, estimates for geothermal wells or dry well installation costs can be more expensive in states with fewer well drilling contractors since complex projects are less common in these places and command a higher rate.

Distance From House

In order to supply your home with water, your well needs to be connected to the water line and power. Depending on how far you’re drilling from your house, expect this to add to the total cost of drilling a well. A main water line costs between $30 and $60 per foot to install, while connecting a power line to the well costs about $1,500. Alternatively, a well pump can be powered with solar energy, which costs between $1,500 and $3,000 to install.

Soil Type

Drilling through rocky soil, stone, or bedrock can significantly increase the time it takes to drill a well, adding to the contractor’s rates. It may also mean they have to rent heavier equipment to get through the soil, further increasing the cost of your project. 

Labor

Well drilling is a complex project best left to professionals with the proper equipment. Most well drilling contractors charge per project, not per hour, so get a few estimates before proceeding. In general, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $12,500 (or more) in labor costs for your well, depending on the type, depth, and land conditions.

Equipment

Besides the cost of drilling the well itself, you’ll also need to pay for materials and equipment to get the well up and running, such as:

• Well pump: $400–$2,500

• Electrical wiring and control box: $500–$1,500

• Pressure storage tank and switch: $300–$2,500

• Water treatment system: $500–$3,000

• Water heater: $800–$1,800

Other Well Drilling Cost Factors

Beyond the price of the drilling itself, there are some other well drilling cost factors to consider. Here are a few more things to keep in mind as you budget for your project.

Permits

Depending on your location, you may need to pay for a permit to drill a well on your property. While amounts vary by region (and some areas may not require you to have a permit at all), the average cost for a well-drilling permit ranges between $350 and $700.

Water Testing

If you plan to drink from your well, the water must be thoroughly tested and confirmed to be safe. On average, laboratory testing for well water costs $100 to $750, though the average price is around $350. The cost of water testing largely depends on the number of contaminants being tested for and whether the test provides levels of various contaminants.

Maintenance & Repairs

To ensure a safe, steady water supply, you’ll need to pay for ongoing well maintenance and repairs. This begins with regular inspections, which cost approximately $250 to $550. Well pump repair costs $1,000 to $2,750 and is one of the more common maintenance tasks, but you may also have to pay for damaged casing replacement or pressure tank repair.

New Water Well System Installation Costs

The costs of installing a well go beyond the cost of drilling the well itself. You’ll also need to pay for the rest of the well system to supply your property with groundwater. Here are the main expenses associated with a new water well system installation besides drilling:

Beyond these costs, the type of casing and its width) greatly impacts the final cost of the new well system installation. Well casing supports the walls of the well, ensuring it doesn’t cave in while keeping dirt, rocks, and other debris from entering your water supply. Here are the most common types of well casings:

• PVC: $6 to $10 per foot; best for corrosion resistance in more acidic, low-alkaline water.

• Galvanized steel: $30 to $55 per foot; less resistant to corrosion than other casing types but much stronger for deep wells or earthquake-prone areas.

• Stainless steel: $60 to $130 per foot; offers similar strength as galvanized steel casing with the added benefit of enhanced corrosion protection.

Well and Septic System Installation Costs

If you want to completely stop relying on municipal water services, you’ll need to install a septic system in addition to a new well. Many people opt to take on these projects at the same time, which can sometimes reduce labor costs.

A septic system costs between $3,500 and $8,500 to install, depending on its type, size, and the land conditions. If you choose to install a septic tank and a water well at the same time, expect to pay anywhere between $6,000 and $25,000.

Private Well vs. Municipal System Costs

Drilling a private well means you no longer have to pay for access to the municipal water supply. Here’s what your actual utility expenses would look like after factoring in the need to power and maintain your well:

You’ll pay approximately $13 to $24 per month for power and maintenance for your water well, while the average residential cost for municipal water is $20 to $40 per month. It’s not a huge difference, and it takes time to pay off the initial investment of the water well. However, a maintained well can last for 40 years or longer, so it’s beneficial to become self-reliant for your water needs.

Does Digging a Well Increase Home Value?

Digging a water well on your property can increase its value, assuming the well was properly installed, is regularly maintained, and the water is safe to drink. The exact value increase varies greatly on the property, location, water quality, and the type and age of the well. 

Budgeting for Digging a Well

Installing a new well is a significant investment, but one that can pay for itself in the long run. Here are a few ways to make the project more budget-friendly:

• Choose the right well drilling contractor for your project. For example, if you’re drilling in rocky terrain, a company with specialized equipment can complete the project faster than a standard well driller.

• Consider all options for the location of your well. Look for the best balance of well depth, soil type, and distance from the house to reduce cost while maintaining a quality water supply.

• Invest in an energy-efficient well pump to ensure you’re not overspending on power costs to supply water to your home.

• Have your well professionally inspected regularly to catch issues while they’re still small and inexpensive to repair.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.