PLUMBING
How to Estimate Well Drilling
Contractor method for estimating well drilling: depth, ground type, casing and the pump line.
Well drilling bids fail on the ground type and the casing. The depth is easy math; rock, medium and loose ground are very different rates, and the casing and pump grow the quote.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate well drilling?
Measure the depth, price the ground type (loose $30, medium $40, rock $55/ft), then add casing (~$10/ft) and pump (~$1,500). A 150 ft medium-ground well runs about $9,000.
Measure the depth
Measure the depth to drill in ft and note the ground type. Rock is the most expensive at ~$55/ft, medium ~$40 and loose ~$30. Confirm the water table depth.
- Confirm the target depth
- Note the ground type
- Check the water table depth
- Verify the casing requirement
Price the casing
Casing adds ~$10/ft. It protects the borehole from collapse and contamination. Confirm the local casing requirement before quoting.
Price the pump
A pump adds ~$1,500. Use the Water Well Drilling Cost Calculator to build the full quote, then add any testing or permits.
Check the total
Your total should land within 10% of the calculator output before markup. Complete well drilling runs $25-$65/ft installed.