Drilling itself is the headline act, but there’s a whole supporting cast of costs. A standard per-foot rate ranges from $25 to $60, but that’s just for the hole. You’ll also need a casing (steel or PVC lining), a well cap, a pump, and a pressure tank to push water into your home.
Add in permits, which can cost $200 to $800 depending on your county, plus a water quality test for safety. Some states require a yield test to measure how fast your well refills—essential if you plan to irrigate a lawn the size of a football field.
One hidden gem: drilling companies often charge a mobilization fee to bring their rig to your property. If you live in the middle of nowhere, that fee might be $500 to $2,000 alone. Always get three quotes and ask if the price includes the first 50 feet of casing—some firms do, some don’t.
The Geology Lottery: Rocks, Sand, and Water
Your local geography is the wild card. Soft soil (think Florida or the Mississippi Delta) is a dream to drill through and keeps costs low. But hit solid granite (hello, New England) and you’re paying extra for heavy-duty bits and slower progress.
Drill Cost Per Hole at Kevin Davidson blog
Aquifers—those underground water reservoirs—come in two flavors: confined and unconfined. Confined aquifers sit between rock layers and often produce cleaner, more consistent water. Unconfined ones are closer to the surface but more vulnerable to drought or contamination.
Fun fact: the world’s largest aquifer, the Great Artesian Basin in Australia, holds enough water to cover the entire planet in 1.8 inches of water. Your well won’t tap into that (it’s a bit far), but it’s nice to know the scale of nature’s plumbing.
