Well inspections run between $300 and $600 for an average cost of $450. A pro can offer a more accurate estimate for your well based on its type, depth, and other factors.
The cost of a well inspection ranges from $150 to $900, with most people paying around $450. Your total cost will depend on factors like the type of well you have, its depth, and your location. Even though it can seem like a lot of money, regular inspections help you stay ahead of any potential issues or safety concerns that may affect your water supply, which will cost more to fix in the long run.
Learn more about the factors that may affect your inspection cost so you can budget for an inspection on a regular basis.
There are many factors that can impact your well inspection cost, including the type of well, depth of the well, and your location.
The type of well you have will impact the cost of your inspection. Drilled wells often have a higher inspection cost as they are more extensive and have more components that need to be tested. Dug wells require more extensive water testing as they are more likely to be contaminated due to their design. The costs for these different types of wells are based on your local inspector’s hourly fee and the accessibility of your well on your property.
The type of pump you have in your well will also affect the cost. Submersible pumps are harder to reach than jet pumps, which makes it harder and more costly to inspect them.
If your well is deeper than 500 feet, you may have to pay more for an inspection. Deeper wells require more complex equipment and expertise, which increases the cost. However, if you have a shallow well, less than 50 feet deep, your well inspection cost will be on the lower end.
| Depth in Feet | Average Inspection Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 | $250–$350 |
| 50–500 | $300–$500 |
| More than 500 | $500+ |
The cost of a well-water inspection will also vary depending on your location. If you live near an agricultural, mining, or construction site, you will often need a more extensive inspection due to the higher chance of contamination.
If you live in an area with a high demand for well-inspection services, this may also increase the cost. On the other hand, if you live in a remote area, you may have to pay travel fees. Some companies will add $1 to $2 for every mile they travel to do the inspection.
| Add-On | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Septic inspection | $150–$400 |
| Advanced water testing | $100–$350 |
| Comprehensive well inspection | $700–$750 |
There are additional tests that can be added to your well-water inspection that can save you money in the long run. When you add a septic inspection, the total inspection cost will range from $400 to $650. The added cost of a septic inspection will depend on the location and size of your septic system.
You can also have additional tests performed while the inspector is testing your water quality. Basic well water tests will only provide a positive or negative result for their contaminant findings. Advanced tests will cost more but will let you know how much of each contaminant is found. These tests can range from $100 to $350 depending on the type and amount added.
Another option is a more comprehensive well inspection. Basic inspections cover the visual inspection, equipment testing, and water quality testing. Comprehensive tests include additional features such as bacterial analysis, mineral testing, and flow-rate measurement. The more comprehensive the inspection, the higher the cost will be.
There are two main components of a well inspection: examining the equipment and testing the water quality. The inspector will begin with a visual inspection and examine all parts of the well including the casing, cap, seals, overflows, screens, gaskets, storage tank, and wellhead.
The inspector will do the following:
Assess the mechanical components, including the pipes, pump motor, pressure relief valve, and gauges
Test the electrical system, including the control box, connections, and capacitors to make sure they’re running properly
Look for any corrosion or damage
Assess the area for compliance and potential sources of contamination
Conduct a flow test to test the pump motor and system output
Check for low-pressure levels, cloudy water, and faulty gauges
Once they’ve completed a visual inspection of the well and tested the equipment, they will check the quality of the water. The inspector will collect water samples that will then be sent to a lab to test them for harmful bacteria, contaminants, and toxic substances.
You’ll receive a report of their findings, and you may have to provide this information to your local health department for added safety. The inspector will also recommend any repairs or maintenance needed.
After your inspection, the report you receive may outline some necessary or recommended repairs to your well. The most common repairs include:
Cost to replace a pressure tank: $300 to $700
Cost to replace a well pump: $975 to $2,800
Cost to repair a leaky well pipe: $100 to $300
Cost to replace a well casing: $375 to $2,500
In between inspections, it’s important to stay on the lookout for common signs that tell you your water pump or well may need repairs.
If you’re looking to save money and stay on top of repairs, you can conduct regular well inspections yourself. With basic knowledge about your well and its components, you can perform a visual well inspection and test the equipment to make sure it’s functioning. You can also purchase an at-home water testing kit from your local hardware store. These tests often cost around $10 to $400.
Even with regular DIY inspections, it’s recommended that you have your well professionally inspected by a local well pump inspector every one to two years. The inspector will be able to identify any issues or damage that you may have missed and ensure that your water quality is safe for you and your family.
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You should have your well inspected once per year. You should also have a well inspection done when you’re buying a house with a private well, when the well cap is opened, when the septic tank is repaired, or when there is flooding.
During your annual visit, a pro will make sure that everything is working correctly and check for certain contaminants, including total coliform. Every other year, they’ll look for things like metals and nitrates, and every five years, they’ll test for pesticides.
If you notice any changes to the water coming from your well, consider that a sign to get a well inspection. For example, if the water is foul-smelling, bad-tasting, cloudy, or discolored, you should call a pro. It’s also a good idea to schedule an inspection if you observe a loss of water pressure, broken equipment, loss of well capacity, or other unusual signs.
A professional well inspection takes between one and three hours. This includes the time it takes for the inspector to visually check the condition of your well, test its equipment, and collect water for testing. After the pro sends the water samples to the lab, you can expect to receive the results in three to 10 days.
