Well Drilling Cost

By the Home Building Cost Calculator team · Updated November 2026

Drilling and installing a residential well typically costs $6,000 to $16,000 for a 200-foot well, according to HomeServe. Drilling alone is about $20 to $30 per foot ($4,000 to $6,000 for 200 feet), and installation adds $10 to $60 per foot for casing, the pump, the pressure tank and wiring.

How much does a well cost by depth?

Well depthDrilling only ($20–$30/ft)Drilling plus installation ($30–$90/ft)
100 ft$2,000–$3,000$3,000–$9,000
200 ft$4,000–$6,000$6,000–$18,000
300 ft$6,000–$9,000$9,000–$27,000
400 ft$8,000–$12,000$12,000–$36,000

The per-foot ranges are from HomeServe; the depth rows are our multiplication. HomeServe’s own estimate for a complete 200 ft well is $6,000 to $16,000. Costs vary hugely by region: HomeServe cites averages of about $7,100 in Louisiana and $38,000 in Alaska.

What does a well system include?

  • Drilling and casing
  • Submersible pump (typically lasting 10 to 15 years)
  • Pressure tank
  • Electrical wiring from the house
  • Water line trench to the house
  • Water testing, and treatment or a softener where needed
  • Permits, usually several hundred dollars

What affects the cost?

  • Depth to water: the biggest factor; ask local drillers and neighbors how deep wells go.
  • Geology: rock is slower and more expensive to drill than soil or sand.
  • Access: remote or steep sites cost more.
  • Distance to the house: longer trenches and wiring runs.
  • Water quality: iron, hardness or bacteria may need treatment.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drill a well?

Drilling usually takes 1 to 3 days, and finishing the installation another 1 to 2 weeks.

How long does a well last?

A well commonly lasts 30 to 50 years; the pump will need replacing sooner.

More cost breakdowns

Sources