Drilling a Well on Your Land: Cost, Depth, Permits, and How to Check Before You Buy
Dated 2026 well costs per foot and in total, what sets depth, who licenses drillers and permits wells in Florida, what Texas requires, and how to check nearby well records before you buy.
By KenLast reviewed 13 min read
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Key takeaways
- Two cost guides put drilling at $25 to $65 per foot (HomeAdvisor, updated June 19, 2026) and $30 to $80 or more per foot for a complete installation (HomeGuide, July 30, 2025). HomeGuide puts a finished 200-foot well at $6,000 to $16,000 or more.
- Depth is set by the geology under the parcel, not by its size or price. Both guides say most residential wells run 100 to 300 feet, and the USGS notes drilled wells can go past 1,000 feet.
- Florida and Texas both license well drillers, and Florida requires a well construction permit before drilling starts. In Florida the water management district or a delegated county health department issues the permit; in Texas TDLR licenses the driller and local groundwater districts can add spacing rules. Call the office before you buy.
- You can check nearby wells before you buy. Texas and Florida publish driller reports and well permits online, and two local drillers can tell you what they usually hit.
- Private well water is not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA says to test every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH.
- Dry holes and low-yield wells happen. Get the charge per foot, the dry-hole charge, and the cost of drilling deeper in writing, and make your offer depend on water.
In this guide
Most rural land has no water main at the road. If you want a house, a cabin, or a garden on the parcel, the water has to come from under it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says around 15 percent of the U.S. population, over 43 million people, rely on private wells for drinking water.
A well is one of the biggest costs of turning raw land into a home site, and the price is set by what lies underground. HomeGuide's cost table, with a July 30, 2025 byline, puts a finished 200-foot well at $6,000 to $16,000 or more. A hard site costs more, and some holes produce nothing.
Public well records and two phone calls can tell you most of what you need before you make an offer.
How a private drilled well works
A drilled well is a narrow hole, the bore, that reaches a layer of water-bearing rock or sand. The EPA describes the rest.
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Casing | Lines the bore. In the EPA's words, "Along with grout, the casing keeps dirt and excess water out of the well." |
| Grout | Seals the gap between casing and bore. Florida's standard calls for a nominal two inches of neat cement grout around casing four inches or larger. |
| Well cap | A vented lid "to prevent debris, insects, or small animals from getting into the well". |
| Screen | Keeps sediment out at the bottom of the casing. |
| Pitless adapter | Lets the water line leave the casing below the frost line. |
| Pump | Jet pumps sit above ground for wells of 25 feet or less. Submersible pumps hang inside the casing for deeper wells. |
A pressure tank and switch, a buried water line, and an electrical line connect the well to the house. Both cost guides price these separately from drilling, which is why the drilling price and the finished price differ.
What decides how deep the well goes
Water is almost always down there. The question is how far, and whether the ground gives it up fast enough. The U.S. Geological Survey: "Where permeable materials are near land surface, a shallow well may be adequate. Elsewhere, such as where clayey material directly overlies bedrock, a deep well extending into bedrock may be needed."
- Geology sets the depth, not the parcel. Both cost guides say residential wells usually run 100 to 300 feet, and HomeAdvisor adds that in some areas groundwater sits 200 to 300 feet down. The USGS notes drilled wells can go past 1,000 feet. Rock and bedrock add drilling time and equipment, per HomeAdvisor.
- Depth and yield differ. The USGS treats about 5 gallons per minute as an adequate household supply. The National Ground Water Association says most homes need 7 gallons per minute, and a storage system holding a day's supply can offset a lower yield.
What a well costs in 2026
Two dated guides cover this. HomeAdvisor, part of Angi, updated its guide on June 19, 2026. HomeGuide's guide is titled 2026 but carries a July 30, 2025 byline.
The price per foot
HomeAdvisor: "For an average residential well, plan on $25 to $65 per foot, with $25 to $35 per foot covering most jobs."
HomeGuide: "Well drilling prices range from $30 to $80+ per foot for a complete installation or $20 to $30 per foot just to drill." Some homeowners pay $100 per foot or more in challenging areas.
The total
HomeAdvisor's headline range is $3,000 to $9,000. HomeGuide's full spread is $3,000 to $22,500 or more, and its table by depth shows why.
| Depth | HomeGuide, complete installation | HomeGuide, drilling only | HomeAdvisor, 4-inch PVC and 6-inch steel casing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 feet | $3,000 to $8,000+ | $2,000 to $3,000 | $3,550 and $6,120 |
| 200 feet | $6,000 to $16,000+ | $4,000 to $6,000 | $7,100 and $12,240 |
| 300 feet | $9,000 to $24,000+ | $6,000 to $9,000 | $10,650 and $18,360 |
| 400 feet | $12,000 to $32,000 | $8,000 to $12,000 | $14,200 and $24,480 |
The other line items
| Item | HomeAdvisor, updated June 19, 2026 | HomeGuide, July 30, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| PVC casing, per foot | $6 to $10 | $7 to $11 |
| Steel casing, per foot | $36 to $140, galvanized | $30 to $130+ |
| Well pump | $900 to $2,500 | $400 to $2,500 |
| Pressure tank | $300 to $500, with switch | $800 to $1,500 |
| Supply lines to the house | $50 to $150 per foot of line | Not listed |
| Electrical wiring and connections | Not listed | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Permit | $200 to $500 | $350 to $700+ |
| Lab water test | $50 to $600 | $100 to $350 |
HomeGuide also lists filtration at $800 to $4,000 and a water softener at $1,200 to $3,800. HomeAdvisor's summary gives testing as $150 to $600 while its body says $50 to $600. A deep well needs a submersible pump, PVC casing costs less than steel, and every foot of supply line to the house is priced on top of the drilling. Land with no power yet also needs the cost of running electricity to the land; see what it costs to develop raw land for the rest.
Who is allowed to drill
Florida. Section 373.323 of the Florida Statutes: "Every person who wishes to engage in business as a water well contractor shall obtain from the water management district a license to conduct such business." A license from any district is valid in every district, and applicants need two years of experience, 12 hours of approved coursework, and a passing exam.
Texas. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: "A license is required to drill a water-related well in Texas and to install a pump for a water-related well. TDLR regulates private water well drilling and pump installation." TDLR offers a license search.
The National Ground Water Association notes that not every state requires a license. Where yours does, check the number with the issuing agency before you pay a deposit.
Permits and setbacks
A license covers the driller. A permit covers the well, and it is where the setbacks come in.
Florida
Under Chapter 62-532 of the Florida Administrative Code, where a district has a permit system, "a permit shall be required before beginning construction, repair, or abandonment of any water well". The owner or the contractor applies, each permit is valid for one year, wells must meet the setbacks in the chapter's Table I, and a completion report must be filed within 30 days.
In the St. Johns River Water Management District, "The District or a delegated entity (usually a county government) issues well construction permits." The District has delegation agreements with 16 county health departments and the City of Jacksonville, and it says to ask the county health department about fees. The Southwest Florida Water Management District also requires a permit before any well is installed; local agencies issue them in Manatee, Sarasota, and Marion counties.
Florida's septic rule supplies the setback buyers care about most: a new septic system must sit at least "Seventy-five feet from a private potable well", and at least 5 feet from property lines.
Texas
Texas sets statewide siting rules in 16 TAC 76.100, applied with local groundwater conservation district rules or city ordinances, which can be stricter. A new well must be at least 100 feet from a septic absorption field or spray area, 50 feet from any adjacent property line, and 150 feet from concentrated sources of contamination such as livestock yards, cemeteries, and privies. The property-line distance can be waived in a few cases, including inside a groundwater conservation district that regulates well spacing.
| Distance | Florida | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Well to septic drainfield | 75 feet, set by the septic rule | 100 feet |
| Well to property line | Not in the sources we checked; the permit must meet Chapter 62-532 Table I, so ask the permitting office | 50 feet, with exceptions |
| Well to livestock yards, privies, cemeteries | Not in the sources we checked; ask the permitting office | 150 feet |
On a small lot, the well, the septic drainfield, the house, and the setbacks all have to fit at once. See septic system cost and types, the perc test guide, and how to find property lines.
How to estimate depth and yield before you buy
The National Ground Water Association's advice: "Review existing records of nearby wells and groundwater studies on file with local and state water departments and natural resource departments to determine if a water well is a viable option. These reports include information on depths, types of rocks, water levels, and expected well yields."
1. Pull nearby well records. Texas keeps the reports its drillers must file in the Texas Water Development Board's Submitted Drillers Report database, which holds all reports since 2003 and is searchable by map, by county and use, or by owner name. In Florida, the St. Johns River district's permit search lists Water Well Construction permits by county, address, applicant name, or a point on a map, and the Southwest Florida district offers a permit search and map.
2. Call two local drillers. The NGWA says to get information and quotes from several contractors and not to go with the bargain price. A driller who works the area knows the usual depth, rock, and yield.
3. Ask the county health department. The EPA: "You can also contact your local health department to find out what substances may be common in your area's groundwater."
4. Check any existing well. Ask the seller for the completion report, the pump's age, and any yield or water test.
Water quality is your job
The EPA states it directly: "Private well owners are responsible for delivering safe drinking water to their households. The quality and safety of drinking water from private domestic wells are not regulated by the Federal Government under the Safe Drinking Water Act nor by most state governments and laws."
Citing a U.S. Geological Survey study of 2,100 private wells, the EPA reports that "water pumped from about one in five wells contained one or more contaminants at a concentration greater than a human-health benchmark for drinking water".
Its advice: "Test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels." Use only certified laboratories, and test right away after flooding, nearby construction, or a repair, or when taste, odor, or color changes.
Best for: A first screen on a seller's existing well
Well water test kit
A home kit screens for coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, and hardness at an existing well on a parcel you have not bought yet. It is not a certified result. The EPA says to use only certified laboratories, so treat a kit as a reason to order the lab test, not a substitute.
When the hole comes up dry or short
The National Ground Water Association does not sugarcoat it: "In certain areas of the country, low-yielding or even dry wells are not uncommon. With this in mind, it is smart to drill the well before building the house. An expensive home with a poor water supply is not a good investment."
What a dry hole costs depends on the contract. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources: "Make sure you have a signed contract covering matters such as charge per foot, materials, dry holes, and damage caused by drilling operations." Some dry holes get no casing and no yield test, and in Indiana the driller must plug an uncased hole within 72 hours. What you pay for a dry hole is whatever the contract says, so get the dry-hole price up front.
A well that produces too little can be paired with storage, the NGWA's first fix. HomeGuide lists two further fallbacks.
- A shared well. HUD's archived FHA guidance: "Shared wells may serve existing properties that cannot feasibly be connected to an acceptable public or community water supply system." It allows no more than four living units or properties and requires a shared well agreement binding on successors in title. The current rules are in HUD's Single Family Housing Policy Handbook.
- Hauled water. HomeGuide prices delivery at $30 to $90 or more per month as a temporary measure, and a residential cistern at $2,000 to $12,000 or more. The Minnesota Department of Health, writing for public water systems, says hauled water "is usually only practical when daily water use demands are relatively low because of the associated cost and storage volume required".
Questions for the driller, and what the quote must say
From the NGWA's hiring leaflet, ask each driller:
- Are you licensed by the state, and what is the number?
- Will you file the well log and give me a copy?
- Do you have the equipment for the geology here?
- Do you carry liability and workers' compensation insurance?
- Do you know the health and safety codes that apply?
- Can you give me references?
- Will you provide a written contract?
On the quote: "An itemized list of charges is better than a lump sum." Itemize drilling and casing per foot, materials such as the drive shoe, grout, and cap, grouting, developing, test pumping, and disinfection, the cost of drilling deeper or a second well, abandonment, and what is not included. Add the Indiana items: the dry-hole charge and damage from the rig.
Put water in your offer
All of this is cheaper before you own the land, because you can still walk away. See how to make an offer on land for the full set of contingencies. For water:
- Contingent on a permit. Time to confirm with the permitting office that a well can be permitted on a site that clears the septic and property-line setbacks.
- Contingent on the records. Nearby well records and written driller estimates you find acceptable, with a depth or cost above which you may cancel.
- For an existing well, contingent on tests. A yield test and a certified water test, with the right to cancel if either fails.
Contract language varies by state, so confirm the wording with a licensed real estate attorney in the state where the land sits.
The bottom line
A well is priced by the ground, so learn the ground first. Pull nearby well records, call two drillers, and ask the county health department or water management district what permit and setbacks apply. Get an itemized quote that covers a dry hole, make your offer depend on water, and test it every year, because once the well is yours, nobody else will. The rest is on the land due diligence checklist.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to drill a well in 2026?
- It depends on depth, rock, casing, and where the land is. HomeAdvisor, updated June 19, 2026, puts residential drilling at $25 to $65 per foot and a typical well at $3,000 to $9,000. HomeGuide, with a July 30, 2025 byline, puts a complete installation at $30 to $80 or more per foot and a 200-foot well at $6,000 to $16,000 or more. Get written quotes from two local drillers before you rely on any national figure.
- How deep does a well need to be?
- As deep as the water-bearing rock or sand under that parcel. Both cost guides say most residential wells run 100 to 300 feet, and the USGS notes that drilled wells can go past 1,000 feet. Nearby well records and local drillers are the best guide to what your land will need.
- Do I need a permit to drill a well?
- Usually, and the office varies by state. In Florida a permit is required before construction begins, it is issued by the water management district or a delegated county health department, and it is valid for one year. In Texas the driller must hold a state license and follow statewide siting rules plus any local groundwater district rules. Call the county health department or state water agency before you buy.
- Can I find out how deep wells are near a parcel before I buy it?
- Often, yes. Texas publishes driller reports filed since 2003 in the Texas Water Development Board's Submitted Drillers Report database, searchable by map, by county, or by owner name. Florida water management districts publish well construction permits in online permit searches. Other states keep similar well record databases, and two local drillers can tell you what they usually hit.
- Is private well water tested by the government?
- No. The EPA says private wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and that the owner is responsible for safe water. It recommends testing every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH, using a certified laboratory, and testing right away after flooding, repairs, or a change in taste, odor, or color.
Sources
- Private Drinking Water Wells, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Protect Your Home's Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Learn About Private Water Wells, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Groundwater Wells, Water Science School, U.S. Geological Survey
- How Much Does It Cost to Drill a Well?, HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.)
- How Much Does Well Drilling Cost? (2026), HomeGuide
- Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers Homepage, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- SDR Reports and Downloads, Texas Water Development Board
- 16 Tex. Admin. Code Section 76.100, Technical Requirements, Locations and Standards of Completion for Wells, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation rule, via Cornell Legal Information Institute
- The 2026 Florida Statutes, section 373.323, Licensure of water well contractors, Florida Legislature, Online Sunshine
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 62-532.400, Permit for Water Well Construction, Repair, or Abandonment, Florida Department of Environmental Protection rule, via Cornell Legal Information Institute
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 62-532.410, Water Well Completion Report, Florida Department of Environmental Protection rule, via Cornell Legal Information Institute
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 62-532.500, Water Well Construction Standards, Florida Department of Environmental Protection rule, via Cornell Legal Information Institute
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 62-6.005, Location and Installation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection rule, via Cornell Legal Information Institute
- Water well construction permits, St. Johns River Water Management District
- St Johns River Water Management District Permit Search, St. Johns River Water Management District
- Well Construction Permits, Southwest Florida Water Management District
- How to Hire a Water Well Contractor: What You Need to Know, National Ground Water Association
- Having a Well Drilled: What You Need to Know, National Ground Water Association
- Water Availability Use/Rights Frequently Asked Questions, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water
- HOC Reference Guide, Water Systems: Shared Wells (Page 1-21c), archived, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Hauled Water for Drinking Water: Information for Public Water Systems, Minnesota Department of Health
This guide is general education, not legal, financial, or tax advice. Rules and costs vary by state, county, and parcel. Confirm the details for your property with the county and a licensed professional before you rely on them.