How Much Does Digging a Well Cost in Backyard | Ultimate Guide

You might want to dig a well in your yard to reduce dependence on municipal water supplies. Drilling reasonable costs between $25 and $70 per foot. Many factors can influence how much you pay. Please find out how much does digging a well cost in backyard in this article.

How much does digging a well cost in backyard

A shallow well can be drilled with the auger or Sandpoint method for as low as $100. It will likely cost at most $700, plus the cost of the exemplary pump. A DIY well will cost much more if you don’t have sandy soil or a high water table. In many cases, digging a well on your own is impossible.

Professional well drilling prices

Costs for professional wells vary depending on how deep they are required to go, the soil type, access requirements, permit requirements, and the permit requirements. Drilling costs are usually between $9-30 per foot and $6-20 for the casing. All costs are taken into account; good professional drilling will cost minimum$1,750 A residential well costs, on average, between $3,750 and $15,300.

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How much does digging a well cost in backyard: Equipment to dig your well

Well drill bits and drill point

The part that pierces the soil is called the excellent drill bit or point. There are many healthy bits, depending on the type of soil and rocks. You can make your drill bit by drilling teeth into a PVC pipe.

Drill rig

The drill rig houses the other equipment for drilling wells. You can have a simple triangle design, but it is more common to have a vertical stand. You might not need a drill rig using a hand auger to dig a shallow well.

Stem

The stem connects to the drill bit and the rig. The stem is usually available in multiple pieces. You can attach more stem pieces as you dig deeper into the earth.

Motor

Although it is possible to drill shallow wells by hand, a motor makes the job much easier. People have used post-hole diggers to dig wells, as I have heard. You will need an air compressor and a pneumatic drill to drill deeper wells. They can often be rented. Renting a truck-mounted drilling device is a good option if you need a more bottomless well or difficult soil.

Well screen

The excellent screen is located below the sound hole. It is made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of small slits that allow water to flow through. However, it prevents dirt and other debris from entering.

Drilling additives

When drilling, you may need to add additives such as powdered clay and liquid polymers. These additives prevent the healthy hole from bursting as you drill.

Factors that affect the cost of digging a well

Well depth

Cost factors most important to consider include the well’s depth and width. Average residential wells are between 100-300 feet deep. However, in areas with groundwater close to the surface, your well may not reach a depth greater than 25 feet. However, the diameters of wells can be as small as four to six inches. The width of your well will determine how much water flows. A 150-foot well of 4-inch diameter and depth will run you about $5,000. Although shallow wells are more affordable, they can be easily contaminated. Noting that local authorities regulate well depth, it’s important to remember. To find the proper well depth for your backyard, it is a good idea to consult an expert.

Permits

The fees for licensing vary by county and can range from $10 to $500. This is a significant expense, and gambling to get the permits can lead to penalties and other legal problems. Well-digging companies obtain permits. Different licenses are required for irrigation wells and residential wells in different counties. Additional permits may be required for plumbing or electrical wiring in certain regions.

Distance to house

The cost of digging wells will depend on the distance between your home and your well. You can use shorter water pipes and electrical wires to save money if it’s near. However, each foot further from your home can increase your budget by $120

Region

Groundwater levels can vary from region to region; in some places, the water table is very close to the surface, and in others, it is profound. Shallow wells are the most common fixture in areas with a low water table. Digging costs are lower, and each foot is $25 to $70 more. Some climates have more difficult soils, such as rocky or dry. Higher costs can be attributed to machines that use more fuel to dig through the ground.

Rural vs urban

Drilling wells in urban areas are more affordable than in rural areas. However, digging permits in cities are more expensive than those in remote areas. It is therefore essential to understand the differences between city and well water. The average cost per foot for a remote area is between $50-60. This includes the cost of transporting drilling equipment from your home to your place of residence and the commute.

Soil type and condition

The cost of drilling wells will also depend on the soil type and condition. You can expect to pay higher expenses if you drill through soft and compact soil. Drilling hard rock can be more expensive than drilling through it, and digging through part rocks can cost up to 15% more. Hard rocks can save you money on well-casing installation.

Why you should not drill your well

It is possible to drill your wells, but it might not be legal. Although I don’t intend to discourage DIYers from trying it, it is essential to be realistic. These are just a few reasons you shouldn’t drill well on your own.

It might not be possible

If you require a deep well or rocky soil, DIY well drilling equipment won’t work. It will cost you a lot of money to buy useless equipment. Although you could theoretically rent professional equipment, finding a company willing to rent their professional drill rig is almost impossible.

It’s easy to screw up

Although it may seem simple, digging your well can be difficult despite the YouTube videos and tutorials. This is a difficult task that requires a lot of learning. If you don’t do it right, surface water could be introduced to the water table. You could contaminate not only your water well but also the water of everyone at that table.

Dangerous

Do-it-yourself wells can pose a danger. Hand-dug wells can be dangerous because it takes only a small cave to become buried alive in the well. New machinery can also pose risks.

Poor Water Quality

The majority of DIY wells are very shallow. The water quality can be poor at these shallow depths. While it might be suitable for watering your garden, it would require intensive treatment to make it edible or potable.

Cost savings may not be as significant

You can only dig your shallow well by hiring professionals. A professional can dig a shallow well for an average of $1,800 to $3,000. If you add up the cost of equipment that you will need to rent or buy, DIY might not be a good option.

Signs of a well digging garden

Well casing tube

The healthy casing pipe supports your well’s wall. It prevents dirt and loose rock from accumulating in your system and contaminating your water. This is not necessary if your well has rock walls. Most homeowners use PVC pipes as well as casing. These pipes are inexpensive at an average price of $8 per foot. While they are more costly ($35 to $80 per ft), stainless steel pipes last longer. Steel casing is required in earthquake-prone areas. It doesn’t break when the earth moves.

Well pump

A good pump pumps water from the ground to your home. It is the most critical component of finished water well. It is important to service it frequently. The type of good pump will determine the cost. The cheapest well pump is a shallow well jet pump, while deep submersible well pumps are the most expensive.

Purification system

Reverse osmosis is used to purify water for safe drinking. These systems cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500. To regulate water flow and pressure, your well will need electrical components. These items are very affordable, costing between $40 and $140.

Shallow well pumps

Shallow suitable pumps can be used for wells less than 25 feet deep and are available for $300 to $900. They are typically placed on the ground and covered with housing. These pumps have a booster to maintain constant water pressure and overload protection to prevent motor failure.

Storage tank

A storage tank is necessary to keep healthy water hydrated until it is needed. You don’t need to turn on the pump whenever you need water. This saves you money and energy. Storage capacity determines the price of a tank. The cheapest tank is available at $400

Deep submersible well pump

These are submerged in deep wells, ranging from 90 to 2000 feet. They are between $500 and $2,000 in price. For easier maintenance, experts recommend a 3-wire pump. For repairs, 2-wire pumps are more expensive and require lifting to the surface.

Septic system

A standalone septic system can cost between $3,500 to $5,000. Combining a well with it, the price range can reach between $7,000-$20,000. Cost factors include the size and type of the septic tank, absorption field type, and the well’s depth. Many rural homes have separate septic tanks to dispose of wastewater. Urban homeowners can connect their wells to the municipal sewer and drainage system.

Convertible jet well pumps

Compatible, suitable pumps are compatible with wells that reach less than 90 feet. They are similar to suitable shallow pumps and are placed on top. These pumps can be helpful in areas where the water table fluctuates. These pumps cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200.