Dig into the details of drilling your own well
Drilling your own well can work for shallow wells, but it’s best to bring in a pro for deeper wells.
The ability to drill on your property also depends on your state and municipal regulations.
Depth, ground type, and well location influence drilling difficulty.
It costs an average of $2,500 to drill your own well.
Check local drill logs for information about water access on your property.
Whether you’re adding a new well water system for your home or an extra water source for agricultural needs, you may be looking for ways to save some money on the installation. One way is to skip the contractors and go straight to drilling a well yourself. Explore the feasibility of home drilling, factors and costs that influence drilling difficulty, and some steps to take before you start drilling on your own.
In many cases, it’s possible to physically drill your own water well, but the legality of it does depend on where you live. Water regulations are primarily handled on a state level, which means that some states make it easy to access DIY well-drilling permits while others require a professional well contractor to manage any well drilling.
For example, in Alabama, only those with a well-drilling license can drill wells, whereas Hawaii only requires that you apply for the proper permits.
If you’re considering drilling your own well, the first step is to research local regulations to see if private homeowners are allowed to drill in your state. A quick trip to your municipal office can usually provide you with all the information you need.
In addition to local regulations, there are a number of factors that determine the feasibility of drilling your own well water system, including the well depth you need, the type of ground you have, and the location of the well.
Whether you’re drilling a shallow well (typically 25 feet or less) or a deeper well (more than 25 feet) depends on your water table and your intended uses.
In some areas, you’ll find water at a shallow depth, whereas in other places you’ll need to drill deeper to access an underground stream or aquifer. Well depth also depends on how much water you need to access—shallow wells are often used for outdoor watering, gardening, and weekend use. Homes with multiple people using water appliances, showers, taps, and toilets often need more water than a shallow well can provide.
Shallow wells are generally much easier to drill yourself, and they can be done in a couple of days with a general-purpose auger. Deep wells typically require specialized equipment like a pneumatic drill and air compressor, and they can take days to weeks to complete.
Soil, clay, and even hard clay can usually be drilled through with relative ease, especially if you’re only drilling a shallow well with an auger.
Drilling through rock typically requires a professional well contractor with heavy-duty equipment.
When you’re looking for a place on your property to drill, it’s important to pick a spot that’s uphill from any septic or agricultural runoff. These can seep into the ground and the water table and contaminate your well. Aim to have your well at least:
100 feet from any cesspools
50 feet from holding tanks and septic tanks
If your potential well location is within easy reach of a power source, you’ll have a much easier time drilling (it’s possible to use old-fashioned hand augers, but it’s definitely a lot of work). However, if a safe well location means it’s difficult to access a power source, it might be easier to call in a professional who can bring their own equipment.
Well drilling cost can factor into whether you want to drill your own well. Hiring someone to drill your well can range from $15 to $60 per foot, with a national average of $5,500 for a well that’s 150 feet deep.
In contrast, DIY well drilling typically costs about $2,500. You’ll need:
A well drilling kit, which ranges from $300 to $2,400 depending on the type. A general-purpose auger for shallow wells is around $300 and pneumatic kits for deep wells start around $700.
A well pump which starts around $600
A water storage tank starting at $500
PVC pipe (depending on the depth of your well, this often starts around $600)
Permit and licensing, ranging from $300 to $700 depending on local regulations
When you’re calculating the cost of drilling your own well, it’s also worth considering the value of your time and effort. Smaller well projects like shallow wells may only take a few days. Deep wells need heavy-duty equipment and can take weeks, which can add up in terms of your labor hours.
If you’ve decided that drilling your own well is a good fit for your property, there are several steps to take to prepare.
Even in states that allow homeowners to manage their own drilling, you’ll typically need a permit before you drill. You may also need water rights, and both of these often have a fee.
Permits and licensing can range from $300 to $700 depending on your local fees. Your municipal office can advise you on what permits you need and any licensing fees you’ll need to pay.
Municipal offices aren’t just a helpful place to learn about permitting—they often store local well drilling logs that may be accessible to the public. These logs can tell you things like the depth of the water table in different areas and information about the ground composition in your area.
Consulting these logs before you drill can also help you decide whether DIY drilling is feasible for you. If you discover that water table access varies significantly, or that there’s bedrock just below the soil level, it can save you time and effort before you attempt drilling that doesn’t work.
It’s essential to locate any power and water lines on your property before you start drilling. Hitting one of these isn’t just extremely dangerous, it can also result in steep fines from the utility company.
The property details from your home purchase may include information on underground lines, but it’s also a good idea to give your local utility company a call. They can help you locate the lines so you can find a safe place to drill your well.
Drilling your own well can be a fun, productive weekend project if all the factors align. Digging a shallow well in soil or clay can be done with a general auger and usually only takes a few days. Bring in a few extra hands (and add some good weather) for a quick, cost-friendly job.
However, if you have any complicating factors it’s usually best to bring in a pro. Deep wells are extremely labor-intensive and can take weeks to drill on your own. There’s also a higher chance of running into rock while you drill, which requires specialized equipment to dig through.
Once the drilling is done, you’ll also have to install a well casing, put in a well pump, and set up your well pressure tank. Don’t forget to test and sanitize the well any time you make new installations or repairs to ensure the water is safe for drinking. If you feel confident in one part of the well drilling process but not another, you always have the option to call in a local well pump contractor near you to take on the installation so you know it’s done correctly.
Most home wells start at 100 feet, and many go as deep as 200 or 300 feet.
It takes quite a lot of water to meet the demands of showers, toilets, faucets, and appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines, and shallow wells struggle to provide this amount quickly. If you anticipate having high water usage in the future, it’s often better to drill slightly deeper and give yourself a bit more water storage than you need.
Professional well contractors may use electromagnetic mapping to look for places with a high likelihood of water. Water access can vary significantly, even on the same property, so it can be difficult to know where to drill if you don’t have specialized tools to look for water.
Wells often have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, although many can last much longer. A good well can provide your home with fresh water for a long time, so it’s worth investing in a professional installation and routine maintenance so you can rely on your well for many years.
