A well inspection costs $400 on average but can range from $250 to $550, based on our analysis of quotes from licensed inspectors. How much your specific well inspection costs will depend on factors like the depth of your well, the well type, and how many specialized water tests you might need.
If your well is your home’s primary (or only) water source, you must keep it in operating condition. If your well fails, drilling a new one can cost up to $24,500, and you’ll have to use an alternative water source.[1] The best way to avoid that huge nuisance is with annual well inspections.
What is a well inspection?
During a well inspection, the inspector will carefully examine all aspects of your well, especially:
- Physical condition of the well and its equipment
- Purity of the water supply
- Quantity and flow rate of the water supply
They’ll do that by visually inspecting the well itself, running lab tests on samples of your water, and running a flow test to measure your well’s output.
Basically, the inspector is looking to make sure your well has enough water, can produce enough water for your home’s needs, is safe to use, and is in good condition.
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) recommends having your well inspected annually.[2]
How much well inspections cost
While the average cost of a well inspection is $400, prices can vary considerably because the wells themselves vary considerably.
Factors impacting well inspection costs
Some wells are more expensive to inspect than others. For example, a shallow well that’s close to town and has a jet pump will cost much less to inspect than a very deep well with a submersible pump that’s a hundred miles from the inspector’s home.
Depth of the well
The deeper your well, the more it’ll cost to inspect.
Shallower wells (50 feet or less) can usually be inspected visually. Inspection costs should be towards the low end of the price spectrum, either at or below the $350 average.
Beyond that, your costs rapidly increase due to specialized equipment and experience. If you have a very deep well (500 feet or more), your inspection costs could easily double the average.
Well type
Dug wells are easier to inspect, but the water requires more extensive testing. On the other hand, drilled wells have more components, so they cost more to inspect.
Pump type
While jet pumps are easily accessible, submersible pumps are more difficult to inspect and will add to your inspection cost.
Well location
If you rely on a well for your water supply, you likely live in a suburban or rural area. Many well inspectors charge per mile for travel, so a very remote well will be expensive to inspect.
If your well is located near potential sources of contaminants like construction sites, mines, or agricultural sites, you’ll want to do more comprehensive water testing.
Well inspection costs vs. other inspection
| Type of inspection | National average cost |
|---|---|
| Asbestos | $501 |
| Electrical | $125 |
| Foundation | $306 |
| Mold | $687 |
| Roof | $1,239 |
| Septic tank | $184 |
| Sewer | $999 |
| Termite | $133 |
| Well | $400 |
| General inspection | $343 |
What happens during a well inspection?
1. Well examination
The well inspector will look for evidence of corrosion or collapse, such as leaky pipes or crumbling walls. They’ll also inspect all the well’s mechanical components: pump, pressure relief valve, entire electrical system, pipes and gauges, etc.
2. Lab analysis
Once they’ve checked over the well, the inspector will take a sample of your water and send it to a lab to analyze things like your water’s:
- Mineral content
- pH levels
- Alkalinity levels
- Clarity
- Concentration of volatile organic compounds, contaminants, or harmful bacteria
You should get the lab results in your well inspection report.
While some testing can be done in the field, a lab test will provide better results. As Adam Tucci, owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Kernersville, North Carolina, says, “Ideally, [testing] is done through a lab to test for bacteria because no field tests will test for bacteria. Hardness, iron, ph, and manganese should also be tested for.”
3. Flow rate test
The inspector will connect a measuring device to a spigot and run the water for a set period of time. This will tell you how much water you can get from your well.
A typical well inspection takes 1–2 hours. The inspector should return a detailed well inspection report of all their findings within 1–3 days, though you may have to wait longer for your water test results.
Signs you might need a well inspection
Greg Dallaire, a real estate consultant with Dallaire Realty in Green Bay, Wisconsin, says, “If the home uses a well, inspection is important if water pressure changes, the water smells unusual, or the system has not been maintained.”
You may need a well inspection if you notice:
- Sudden loss of water pressure
- Change in the quality of your water (discoloration, foul taste, odor)
- Malfunctioning well equipment
- Loss of water supply
If you’re buying or selling a home with a well, you should get an inspection just to ensure the well is in good condition and that the water is safe and usable.
Post–well inspection steps
If you need to repair the well, some of the most common problems are:
- Leaky well pipe: $100–300
- Faulty pressure tank: $300–700
- Faulty well casing: $375–2,500
- Faulty well pump: $975–2,800[3]
Plus, additional advanced water testing can cost up to $350. However, some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your local county first.[4]
If the inspection finds that the water is contaminated, you may have to drill a new well. Depending on how deep the well has to be and what type of well you want, that could cost up to the low five figures.
Negotiate repairs
If you’re a buyer, and the inspection found problems, this is when you’d ask the seller to remediate them. If they refuse, you could walk away from the deal.
For example, if the well equipment was outdated or wasn’t functioning, you could ask the seller to replace the faulty equipment.
On the other hand, you could negotiate for a repair credit and do the fixes yourself. Many buyers prefer to do it this way so they can oversee the repairs. But even if the seller refuses on both counts, you still have options at the negotiating table.
Understanding how much repairs cost is essential. Casey Callais, a residential inspector at Constructiva Inspections in Austin, Texas, says, “If repairs are needed then the next call should be to a well-rounded well repair specialist that can give a solid quote. That way the buyer may be able to negotiate the repairs off the price of the home.”
Once you have your well in good working order, there are a few things you can do to keep it that way.
Monitor water quality
If you notice that your water’s taste or appearance has changed, contact a well inspector immediately. If the well is damaged, you want to fix it before it advances.
Keep potential contaminants away from the well
Chemicals and other hazardous materials can easily penetrate the ground and contaminate your well water. Store contaminants far from your well.
Monitor the well for signs of corrosion or damage
Routinely examine the well itself for signs of rust, leaks, punctures, and other damage. Make sure the well cap is secure and properly fitted.
Get regular well inspections
A professional eye can catch small problems before they develop into large ones. Experts suggest having your well inspected at least once a year.
How to find a well inspector
You can easily find well inspectors online, but the best way to find one is to ask trusted friends and family for a referral to someone they’ve worked with before. You could also ask your real estate agent for a recommendation.
When you’re looking for a well inspector, get estimates from at least three inspectors to ensure you get the best rate. Also, make sure you use an inspector that uses a state-certified lab for testing.[5]
However, don’t commit to one inspector until you’ve checked their online reviews and references and interviewed them. Ask them about their experience and any certificates or licenses they might hold. (In most states, well inspectors have to pass an exam.)
Here are some key questions to ask your well inspector (before and after the inspection):
- How long will the inspection last?
- Can I accompany you and observe?
- Do you replace any malfunctioning or damaged parts, or will I need to find a contractor to handle repairs?
- How much will this inspection cost?
- What’s included in the inspection?
- Do you recommend further water testing?
- Is my water flow and supply sufficient?
- Do you recommend any component upgrades that would improve my well’s performance?
- When will I receive my well inspection report?
- How long will this well inspection be valid?
The bottom line
Neglecting your well can lead to deterioration, contamination, and even failure of your water supply, and drilling a new well is both expensive and time-consuming.
Make sure your water supply stays safe, sufficient, and stable by getting professional well inspections (and water testing) at least once a year.
Related reading
Methodology
We sourced the national average cost of well inspections directly from HomeAdvisor, based on #ERROR Column "well_inspection_no_responses" not found in "inspection_costs" home inspector quotes and estimates. We then independently collected quotes from 10 ZIP codes across major cities in each state, building a dataset of 500 quotes that we used to calculate low- and high-end cost ranges at the national level, as well as average costs for each state.