How Much Does Well Drilling Cost in 2025?
Well drilling costs an average of $5,500
The average well drilling cost—including drilling, electrical components, and casing—is $5,500, with a range of $3,000 to $9,000 on average.
Residential well drilling costs $25 to $65 per foot of depth, and most residential wells are 50 to 200 feet deep.
Well drilling cost factors include depth, well type, location, soil type, and labor.
Residential water wells reduce reliance on municipal utilities by supplying drinking water.
Reduce the cost of drilling a well by limiting the depth, carefully choosing the location to avoid drilling through rocky earth, and performing regular well maintenance.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Most homeowners spend an average of $3,000 to $9,000 to drill a well, with an average price of $5,500. Deeper wells run higher, and factors like soil conditions, casing, permits, and site prep can push costs up. Most homeowners need to drill or re‑drill a well every 10 to 20 years, so frequency quickly drives the budget. Remember to budget for labor along with essential gear such as pumps and filtration systems.
Well Drilling Cost Factors
Several variables shape your final drilling bill. Keep the following considerations in mind when you’re pricing out a new well.
Type
Some well styles fit specific sites better than others. A local well‑drilling contractor can help you decide which option works best for your property:
| Type of Well | Use | Average Cost per Foot (Drilling Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential well (100–200 feet) | Captures deeper water for residential use | $25–$65 |
| Irrigation/agricultural well | Supplies sprinklers and water features | $25–$110 |
| Geothermal well | Uses below-surface temperatures to heat and cool your home | $15–$40 |
| Artesian well | Uses natural pressure of aquifers to supply water to your home | $35–$90 |
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
Depth is often the biggest line item when budgeting for well drilling costs. In some areas, groundwater sits 200 to 300 feet below the surface, which can raise both drilling and casing costs. For an average residential well, plan on $25 to $65 per foot, with $25 to $35 per foot covering most jobs.
| Well Depth (Feet) | 4-Inch PVC Casing Cost | 6-Inch Steel Casing Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $1,775 | $3,060 |
| 100 | $3,550 | $6,120 |
| 150 | $5,325 | $9,180 |
| 200 | $7,100 | $12,240 |
| 250 | $8,875 | $15,300 |
| 300 | $10,650 | $18,360 |
| 350 | $12,425 | $21,420 |
| 400 | $14,200 | $24,480 |
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
A shorter distance between your house and the well reduces costs, as water and electric supply lines can cost between $50 and $150 per foot.
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 contractors charge by the project, not by the hour, so obtain a few estimates before proceeding. On average, 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: $900–$2,500
Pressure storage tank and switch: $300–$500
Water treatment system: $1,000–$15,000, plus $200–$400 labor
Permits
Most jurisdictions require a permit before you drill. Residential permits cost an average of $200 to $500, but check local rules for exact fees.
Water Testing
Plan to drink your well water? Test it first. A DIY costs an average of $100, while professional lab testing ranges from $50 to $600, depending on how many contaminants you screen for and how detailed the report is.
Maintenance & Repairs
Budget for routine upkeep to keep water flowing. Annual inspections cost $250 to $550. Pump repairs—one of the most common fixes—cost $320 to $1,620. You may also pay extra for casing or pressure‑tank work.
Water 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:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pump system | $900–$2,500 |
| Electric line | $50–$150 per foot + $160–$500 labor |
| Water treatment system | $1,000–$15,000 + $200–$400 labor |
| Pressure tank and switch | $300–$500 |
Casing Material
Beyond these costs, the type of casing and its width significantly impact the final cost of installing the new well system. 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: $36 to $140 per foot; less resistant to corrosion than other casing types but much stronger for deep wells or earthquake-prone areas.
Stainless steel: $36 to $140 per foot; offers similar strength as galvanized steel casing with the added benefit of enhanced corrosion protection.
Does Digging a Well Increase Home Value?
Digging a water well on your property can increase its value, provided the well is properly installed, regularly maintained, and the water is safe to drink. The exact value increase varies greatly depending 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 minimize costs while maintaining a high-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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to drill a well until you hit water. For most residential wells, you need to drill between 100 and 300 feet to reach a water source. However, some properties might have suitable reservoirs deeper or shallower than this. Your local well driller can help you find the best location to drill your well.
The well drilling itself generally takes one to three days. Installing the pump, electrical lines, and plumbing often brings the total timeline to about a week. Rocky soil, permitting delays, or extra depth can stretch out the project’s timeline, but most residential wells are up and running within seven days.
Yes, water wells can dry up over time. Your well may only become dry temporarily and will resume when the water source is replenished through aquifer recharge (when surface water reaches the groundwater). In some cases, wells can become permanently dry. Muddy-looking water, a change in water taste, or sputtering faucets can indicate a drying well.
A drilling kit can cut labor costs, but it also shifts every risk to you. Drilling requires heavy equipment, know‑how, and strict safety practices. One misstep can contaminate the aquifer or force you to hire a pro to fix expensive mistakes. Unless you’re fully confident in your skills, hiring an experienced contractor is the safer, more reliable choice.
Because a private well taps groundwater on your property, you no longer pay monthly municipal water fees. You’ll still cover electricity to run the pump and occasional maintenance, but most homeowners see their yearly water costs drop sharply. A well also gives you more control over water quality while providing an eco‑friendly, self‑sufficient supply.
A deeper well reaches aquifers below most surface contaminants, giving you cleaner, more reliable water. Because the water table fluctuates less at greater depths, the supply stays steadier during droughts, and the well often lasts longer. That added reliability can also enhance your property value and reduce future maintenance costs.
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