PLUMBING
How to Estimate a Well Pump Replacement
Contractor method for estimating well pump replacement: type, horsepower, depth and the plumbing line.
Well pump bids fail on the depth and the pump type. The pump has a known price; the depth pipe, the horsepower and the plumbing connections are where the quote grows.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate a well pump replacement?
Confirm pump type, depth, pipe, plumbing, pulling and installation labor, and removal. A submersible 1 HP on a 100 ft well with $800 labor runs about $2,450.
Confirm the pump type
A submersible pump runs ~$1,100 (1 HP); a jet pump costs less. Confirm the well depth and the pump size on site — a deep well needs a submersible.
- Confirm submersible vs jet
- Check the well depth
- Note the pump horsepower
- Check the pipe and wire condition
Price the depth
The depth pipe and wire add ~$2/ft. A 100 ft well adds ~$200. Measure the actual depth, never estimate it from the listing.
Price installation and plumbing
Plumbing connections add ~$200, labor about $800 and old-pump removal about $150 in the example. Use the calculator, then add any tank, wiring or pressure-switch work.
Check the total
Your total should land within 10% of the calculator output before markup. A deep well pump replacement runs $1,500-$3,000 installed.