How Much Does It Cost to Have a Well Drilled on Your Property?
well drilling
Living off-grid has many advantages for anyone who wants to live independently. However, it does come with significant upfront costs, such as installing solar, a septic tank, and well drilling.
In this article, we’ll cover the process and costs associated with drilling a well on your property.
Well Drilling Costs
There are no set numbers regarding the cost of drilling a well. But, most well drilling services will give you a free estimate.
These estimates are based on how deep the well will need to be drilled, as well as your soil conditions.
For example, if they need to drill through rock, that will add significantly to the cost.
According to the California Central Valley Flood Control Board in 2020, a shallow water well using a 4” PVC pipe could cost as little as $1,775.
On the other hand, a deep, 400′ water well using a steel casing could cost over $33,000.
However, the Central Valley Flood Control Board estimates that a low-end well in their area costs $3,750, an average well costs around $9,180, and a high-end well will cost you $15,300 in their area.
How much a well will cost depends on how deep the water table is in your area.
It also depends on whether you can use plastic pipes or will need to use steel, and also whether they’ll need to drill through rock.
It also depends on the rates of your local well drilling services and the options you choose, such as the type of pump.
Drilling Is Not the Only Cost
In addition to drilling down to the water table, you’ll also need to factor in the following:
- County drilling permit
- Water quality testing
- Well casing pipe
- Well pump
- Storage tank
- Electrical work
- Water treatment system
All of these costs can vary quite a bit. For example, if testing reveals that your groundwater contains high levels of radon or arsenic, you’ll need a robust filtering and treatment system. Also, your well water should be tested at least yearly.
The type of casing pipe you choose can also vary the cost; PVC pipe is the cheapest and the least durable.
Galvanized steel casing pipe is much more expensive than PVC, and stainless steel pipes are even more expensive.
In earthquake zones, you’ll need to get steel casing pipes, adding to the cost.
As you can see, the cost of drilling a water well has a wide range, depending on several factors.
Your best bet to determine the cost is to get an estimate from one or more well drilling outfits in your local area.
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Category: Home Improvements
