Well, Well, Well ... So, That's How Much It Costs to Drill a Well

By Katelynne Shepard

April 24, 2026

Turning on a tap and getting safe running water is something many people take for granted. But when you're trying to get running water to a rural property that isn't connected to the city supply, you start to realize how much goes into this process. Drilling a well can help you access your property's natural resources and give you an independent water source, but it's also a significant financial investment.

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On average, well drilling costs about $6,000 to $16,000 (CAD 8,226 to CAD 21,935) for a 200-foot-deep residential well. This includes drilling and installation. This guide explains what goes into that average cost, what factors can impact the price you pay for a well and how long you can expect a well to keep providing water.

How Much Does It Cost to Drill a Residential Well?

If you want to drill a residential well to provide a water supply for a rural area, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $30 (CAD 28 to CAD 42) per foot. For an average 200-foot-deep well, this would come out to a total cost of $4,000 to $6,000 (CAD 5,484 to CAD 8,226). These numbers are for drilling only, and well installation can cost another $10 to $60 (CAD 14 to CAD 83) per foot.

Depending on your location and the water table, you may need to dig farther. For example, the average cost for a well in Louisiana is just $7,100 (CAD 9,744), while in Alaska, the average cost soars to $38,000 (CAD 52,096). Researching average well depths in your area, especially among similar property types, can help you get a better idea of how deep your well may need to be to accurately budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Well?

The average cost for a complete well installation, including drilling, is $6,000 to $16,000 (CAD 8,226 to CAD 21,935) for a 200-foot-deep well. The deeper the well, the higher the cost. You can expect to pay more in very remote areas or where the terrain makes it difficult for the equipment to access the site.

The type of drilling required can also impact total cost. For example, if the team needs to drive the well instead of drill, this could increase the cost $5 to $10 (CAD 6.85 to CAD 14) per foot. There may be additional costs involved for water testing and treatment, if necessary.

What Factors Impact Well Drilling Cost?

Well drilling costs can vary by company and where the property is located. There are also several other factors that may affect whether the price you pay to drill and install a well falls at the lower or higher end of the average price range. These include:

Depth and size of the well. The deeper and wider the well, the more digging and materials required. This directly impacts the cost.

Soil conditions. If the soil is rocky, sandy or very compacted, it can increase the price because it can take longer to dig through the ground or require more complex techniques to stabilize the surrounding soil.

Access to the drill site. Drilling a well requires large pieces of equipment. If the location is very rural, has a strong slope or otherwise makes it difficult to get the machinery in to drill, this can increase the cost. In addition, the farther the well site is from the building it's bringing water to, the more it's likely to cost due to an increase in materials.

Necessary permits. A permit to drill a well can cost several hundred dollars, and you may also need to pay for multiple inspections or water treatment.

In addition to the cost of drilling and installing the well, you also need to account for the other components that get the water to the home. This usually includes a well pump, well pressure tank and electrical wiring and connections. Many areas require a well water filtration system or water softener to properly treat the water. If you aren't connected to the sewer system, you may also need a septic tank to handle black water.

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How Long Does It Take to Drill and Install a Well?

The timeline for drilling and installing a well depends on soil and ground conditions, as well as other factors, such as weather conditions and how far in advance the company is booked. Waiting times aside, it generally takes 1 to 3 days to drill the well and hit water. It can take another 1 to 2 weeks to actually install the well and get the water running to the building. If a septic tank needs to be installed, this can add to the timeline.

If drilling the well requires going through hard rock, such as granite, or there is sandy soil, it can take longer. The harder the rock, and the more of it, the longer it takes to drill through it. Sandy soil can add to the timeline because the shifting soil often requires stabilization along the way to avoid impacting the well.

Before you can drill, you may need to wait several weeks or months for permits to be filed and approved. After the well is installed and running, there may also be a required testing period to ensure the water is safe for use.

How Long Does a Well Last?

Drilling and installing a well on your property is a significant investment, and it's important to understand that wells aren't forever. The typical lifespan for a well is between 30 and 50 years. It's possible for a well to continue to be able to pull water from the ground for longer than this, but the various components will likely start to wear out and need to be replaced. For example, the average lifespan of a well pump is just 10 to 15 years.

In some cases, a new well can be drilled somewhere else, especially in situations with large multi-acre properties. If the well goes dry, however, it could point to a larger issue with the groundwater.

Maintenance is a key part of keeping your well working for as long as possible. Installing a filtration or softener system can help prevent mineral buildup and other issues, and regular water testing ensures the well is still producing water that is safe for use.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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