Free Contractor Tool
Well Drilling Cost Calculator
Estimate what a residential water well costs by depth and geology, with casing, pump, tank, wiring, and trenching itemized — plus what each extra 100 feet costs if the aquifer sits deeper than expected.
Built by SubcontractorHub — the software plumbing contractors use to quote, finance, and run every job.
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Estimate Your Well Drilling Cost
Enter expected depth and geology. Casing is priced separately from drilling because casing depth is often much shallower than total depth in hard rock.
Check neighboring well logs — most state geological surveys publish them free.
Common in much of the US; moderate rates and good yields.
Sand/clay needs full depth; hard rock often only near surface.
Estimated complete well cost
$9,860 – $25,180
250 ft deep • $39/ft drilling
Drilling
$6,440–$12,880
Components
$3,420–$12,300
Each extra 100 ft
$2,576–$5,152
Reading the result: the “each extra 100 ft” figure is the number to plan around. Nobody can guarantee depth before drilling, contracts are almost always written per foot, and going 100 feet deeper than expected is the single most common reason a well job blows its budget.
Drilling Cost Per Foot by Geology
What you drill through matters more than how deep you go. A 200-foot well in granite can cost more than a 400-foot well in sand.
Depth is the risk nobody can price
A well contract is almost always per foot with no yield guarantee, because no driller can control where the aquifer sits. If the water is 150 feet deeper than expected, that cost is yours.
Before signing, ask specifically what happens at a dry hole and get it in writing. Some drillers will cap depth or discount a second attempt, but only if it is negotiated up front. Neighboring well logs — free from most state geological surveys — are the best predictor available.
The hole is only half the bill
Casing, submersible pump, pressure tank, electrical hookup, trenching to the house, grouting, and permits routinely total as much as the drilling itself. A quote covering only footage is not a complete number.
Water quality is the other post-drilling surprise. Iron, sulfur, hardness, or bacteria can all require treatment — a filtration system runs $1,000–$5,000 and a softener $800–$3,000, and you generally do not know which you need until the well is tested.
From Sizing Numbers to a Signed Proposal
SubcontractorHub is the platform plumbing contractors use to turn sizing and cost numbers like these into a branded proposal, financing the homeowner can accept on the spot, and a scheduled job — without re-entering anything. This tool is free to use; the platform is here if you want a closer look.
Well work is one of the few residential jobs quoted with genuine unknown scope, which makes clear per-foot documentation essential — and makes financing valuable when the hole goes deeper than planned. See plumbing contractor software, estimating software, and embedded financing.
Common Questions About Well Drilling Cost
How much does it cost to drill a well?
A complete residential well typically costs $8,000–$25,000, most falling between $12,000 and $18,000. Drilling runs $15–$90 per foot depending on geology — $15–$30 through sand, $25–$50 through sedimentary rock, $40–$90 through granite. At a typical 150–300 ft that is $4,000–$15,000 for the hole; casing, pump, tank, wiring, trenching, and permits commonly cost as much again.
How deep does a water well need to be?
Most residential wells are 100–400 feet, typically 150–300. Depth is set by where the aquifer sits, not preference — the driller goes until they hit adequate water. That is the central financial risk: nobody can guarantee depth in advance and you pay per foot regardless. Neighboring well logs, free from most state geological surveys, are the best predictor.
What if they drill and don't find water?
You generally still pay for the footage drilled. Contracts are usually per foot with no yield guarantee since the driller cannot control geology. Some will cap depth or offer a reduced rate on a second attempt, but that must be negotiated into the contract before work starts. Ask specifically what happens at a dry hole and get it in writing.
How much does a well pump cost to replace?
A submersible pump and motor is $800–$2,500 for the unit and $1,500–$4,000 installed, including pulling the old pump and any wiring or piping replaced at the same time. Deeper wells cost more since the pump must be sized for the lift. Pumps last 8–15 years, so on an older well replace the pressure tank and switch at the same time rather than paying twice for the pull.
Is a well cheaper than connecting to city water?
It depends on how far the municipal main is. A city connection runs $3,000–$15,000 in tap fees and lateral work when the main is at the street — cheaper than a well. But main extension costs $50–$200 per foot, so a well wins quickly when the main is hundreds of feet away. Long term a well has no water bill but does carry pump replacement every 8–15 years plus testing and treatment.
How long does it take to drill a well?
Drilling is usually one to three days for a typical residential well, longer in hard rock. Casing, pump, tank, wiring, and trenching add one to three more days. Permitting and water testing dominate the timeline — budget two to six weeks from signed contract to running water, longer where well permits are backlogged.
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Book a Free DemoCost ranges are national planning estimates based on typical published drilling rates, adjusted by the geology, diameter, and region factors you select. Actual well depth, yield, and water quality cannot be known before drilling. Verify pricing, contract terms for dry holes, and permit requirements with a licensed well contractor and your local health or water authority.