Cost guide · Septic & Wells
Well Drilling Cost
Short answer: Drilling a residential well costs $3,000 to $9,000 for most homeowners, with an average of $5,500, according to Angi. A complete 200-foot well with casing, pump, wiring and permits runs $6,000 to $16,000 (HomeGuide). Expect $25 to $65 per foot for drilling, and more in rocky ground or where the water table is deep.
Angi puts the 2026 national average for drilling a residential well at $5,500, with most homeowners paying $3,000 to $9,000. HomeGuide's figure for a complete 200-foot well, including casing, pump, electrical connections and permits, is $6,000 to $16,000, with a national average of $10,500.
Cost per foot
| Item | Per foot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Residential drilling | $25 – $65 | Angi |
| Drilling only | $20 – $30 | HomeGuide |
| Complete installation | $30 – $80+ | HomeGuide |
| Rocky, sloped or remote terrain | $50 – $75+ | Angi |
Cost by depth
| Depth | Complete installation | Drilling only |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $3,000 – $8,000+ | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| 150 ft | $4,500 – $12,000+ | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| 200 ft | $6,000 – $16,000+ | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| 300 ft | $9,000 – $24,000+ | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| 400 ft | $12,000 – $32,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| 500 ft | $15,000 – $40,000 | $10,000 – $15,000 |
Source: HomeGuide. Depth depends on the local water table and geology, so a driller's estimate is based on nearby wells.
Casing
| Casing | Per foot |
|---|---|
| PVC | $6 – $11 |
| Steel | $30 – $130+ |
Sources: Angi, HomeGuide. Angi's depth table shows a 200-foot well at about $7,100 with 4-inch PVC casing versus $12,240 with 6-inch steel.
Cost by well type
| Type | Per foot (Angi) | Total (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | $25 – $65 | $3,000 – $24,000+ |
| Irrigation | $25 – $110 | $3,000 – $40,000+ |
| Artesian | $35 – $90 | $5,300 – $40,500 |
| Geothermal | $15 – $40 | $2,000 – $20,000+ |
The rest of the system
| Component | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Well pump | $400 – $2,500 | HomeGuide |
| Pressure tank | $800 – $1,500 | HomeGuide |
| Electrical wiring and connections | $1,000 – $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| Water filtration system | $800 – $4,000 | HomeGuide |
| Water softener | $1,200 – $3,800 | HomeGuide |
Permits, inspection and testing
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Well permit | $200 – $500 | Angi |
| Well permit | $350 – $700+ | HomeGuide |
| Professional well inspection | $250 – $550 | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Lab water testing | $100 – $350 | HomeGuide |
Ongoing costs
Angi lists annual maintenance at $200 to $900 and added electricity for the pump at $100 to $400 per year. New rural homes often need a septic system as well; see septic system cost.
What a new well involves
Drilling a private water well includes choosing the site, getting any required permits, drilling and casing the borehole, installing a pump, pressure tank and wiring, connecting to the house, and testing the water. Some quotes include only the drilling; others are complete "turnkey" packages.
What affects the price
- Depth. Drillers usually charge by the foot, and you will not know the final depth until they hit reliable water.
- Geology. Drilling through rock is slower and more expensive than drilling through soil and sand.
- Casing. Steel or PVC casing lines the hole; deeper wells need more.
- Pump and system. Submersible pumps, pressure tanks, controls and wiring are a large part of the total.
- Distance to the house for trenching water and electrical lines.
- Water treatment if testing shows hardness, iron, bacteria or other issues.
Before you drill
- Ask local drillers about typical well depths and water quality in your area.
- Check permit and setback requirements, such as distance from septic systems.
- Get quotes that spell out what is included and the price per foot beyond an estimated depth.
After the well is drilled
Have the water tested for bacteria and common contaminants before using it for drinking, and retest periodically. Keep records of the well depth, pump type and installation date.
In Texas
Groundwater in Texas is managed in many areas by local groundwater conservation districts, which may require a permit or registration for new wells and set spacing rules. Water well drillers in Texas are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the TDLR keeps well reports that can show depths of nearby wells.
How drillers choose the depth
Nobody can know exactly how deep the water is before drilling, but drillers rely on local experience, state well logs for nearby properties and geology maps. Your state's water well database often shows how deep neighbors' wells are and how much they produce, which gives a useful estimate before you get quotes. Deeper wells cost more, but they also tend to have more stable water levels through dry seasons.
The drilling process
The driller sets up the rig on the chosen site, which must be reachable by a heavy truck. The hole is drilled until a water-bearing layer with enough flow is reached. Casing is installed to keep the hole from collapsing and to keep surface water out, and the space around the casing is sealed with grout. A screen may be added at the bottom in sandy formations. The well is then developed by pumping or air-lifting until the water runs clear, and the driller tests the yield in gallons per minute.
Choosing where to drill
Wells must be set back from septic systems, property lines and other contamination sources by distances set in state and local rules. The site should also be accessible for future pump service, since the pump may need to be pulled from the top of the well. Placing the well too far from the house adds trenching and pipe costs.
Questions to ask drillers
- Are you licensed in this state, and will you file the well log?
- Is the price per foot, and what does it include: casing, grout, screen, development?
- What happens if you hit a dry hole?
- Is the pump, pressure tank and connection to the house included, or separate?
- Will you test the water, or should I order a separate lab test?
Dry holes and low yield
Sometimes a well does not produce enough water at the expected depth. Contracts should explain what happens then: whether drilling continues deeper at the same rate, whether the driller moves to a new spot, and who pays. Agreeing on this before drilling starts prevents disputes later.
Maintaining a new well
Keep the well cap secure and above ground level, avoid storing chemicals near the wellhead, and test the water regularly. Many health departments recommend testing at least once a year for bacteria and nitrates, and after any flooding near the well.
Records to keep
Keep the well log, water test results and pump details. Buyers and lenders often ask for them when you sell the property.
Sources
Well drilling contractors in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 57 well drilling contractors across 4 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 33 | 4.2 | 227 |
| Dallas | 6 | 4.2 | 19 |
| San Antonio | 8 | 4.8 | 28 |
| Fort Worth | 10 | 4.0 | 257 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
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