The biggest chunk of change comes from the drilling itself. You’re paying for a truck that looks like it escaped from a monster truck rally and a crew that knows how to sink a pipe deep into the earth. On average, you’re looking at $25 to $65 per foot.
That’s a wide range, right? It depends on where you live and what’s under your grass. If your yard is mostly soft dirt, you’ll be closer to the lower end. If the ground is packed with boulders and clay, get ready for a steeper price—it’s like trying to dig a hole through a giant bag of frozen potatoes.
The “How Deep” Question
Most homes need a well that’s anywhere from 100 to 500 feet deep. Do the math: at 150 feet and $40 per foot, that’s a solid $6,000 just for drilling. But if you’re in a dry area or near a mountain, you could easily hit $15,000 or more for the big dig.
Here’s a little story: My neighbor, Dave, thought he’d save money by digging a shallow well himself. He used a shovel and hit a rock at four feet. He gave up, called the pros, and spent $8,000. He says the only thing he “dug” was a bigger hole in his wallet.
