Informational Guide

How Much Do Well Pumps Cost?

This article will give you a full breakdown to fully understand the answer to the question; How much is a well pump?

by Josh Mitchell

Well pumps are still used by millions of people worldwide to provide fresh, clean water drawn up from under the ground. Modern well pumps are efficient and take all the effort out of pumping water, but even the best well pumps will need to be replaced after a certain time.  

Many people don’t know the true cost of replacing a well pump. This article will give you a full breakdown to fully understand the answer to the question; How much is a well pump?  

  • Pump Type 
    Different types of pumps give a different level of water pressure and power, so the price can vary significantly. For example, a submersible pump will be more expensive than a jet pump because it has higher horsepower and can deal with a greater volume of water. You should expect submersible pumps to cost up to 4 times as much as jet pumps. 
  • Well Depth 
    The deeper the well, the more power will be needed to pump the water to the surface, and the larger the pump will typically be. It will mean it’s more expensive and will be more complicated to replace. As a general rule, the deeper the well, the higher the cost. 
  • Total Well Size 
    The diameter of the well will also influence the price of your pump. The wider the well, the larger the pump you will need, and therefore the higher the cost. As with the well depth, if your well is wider, it can be more complicated to replace the pump too, so expect a 6” or 8” well to cost noticeably more than a 4”.  
  • Horsepower 
    The greater the horsepower, the more expensive the well pump. A 1 horsepower pump will work for a well up to about 225 feet deep, which is more than enough for most homes. However, if you need more power, you’ll need more horsepower, and this is where the price can really go up. It’s worth working out exactly what you need, so you only spend what you need.  
  • Pump Quality 
    Naturally, the quality of the well pump will influence the overall cost. You need to strike the balance of quality and price to find good value. Nobody wants to overspend on a well pump, but if you buy cheap, you buy twice. Look for a well-made pump that can stand the test of time.  
What Affects The Price Of A Well Pump

How Much Is A Well Pump? (Average Price Explained)

So how much does a new well pump cost? There is actually a big difference depending on the type of pump you go for. We’ve given a breakdown below of the main types of pumps so you can understand the differences between them: 

Jet Pump Cost 

There are two main types of jet pumps: shallow and deep. Shallow jet pumps don’t need as big an engine, so they're cheaper, and they will usually be made from thermoplastic or some other fairly inexpensive material. You should expect a shallow jet pump to cost about $300, but you can get them for cheaper if you need to.  

A deep jet pump is made to reach depths of up to 150 feet, so they have a much more powerful motor. These are typically made to be a lot more durable and are often made from iron, stainless steel, or carbon. You should expect to pay between $600 and $700 for a decent deep jet pump, but there is some wiggle room to spend less. 

Jet pumps are old-school well pumps, and they are not as reliable as self-priming submersibles. You may be able to get them more cheaply, but that doesn’t mean they won’t cost you more in the long run.  

Submersible Well Pump Cost 

Submersible pumps are generally built to last and made from stainless steel or iron. They’re considered one of the most reliable options for well owners, but they need to be installed correctly, or you can have real issues.

The price of a submersible well pump will generally vary depending on the horsepower. A less powerful submersible pump could cost as little as $250, but a powerful one can easily set you back over $750. Remember, submersible well pumps can be expensive to install, and the cost of extra piping can add hundreds of dollars to the overall price you pay.  

Solar Powered Well Pump Cost 

Solar powered well pumps are designed to save you money on your energy bills in the long run, but they require more investment upfront. The mechanism inside them is complex, and they normally have a plastic or steel casing.

Solar powered well pumps work at a variety of depths, but for deep wells, you will be spending at least $3000. For shallow wells, you can probably get away with spending about $2000.  

Hand Pumps 

Hand pumps are the most basic and most affordable well pumps. 

They are useful because they will work in any condition; all they require is the energy and effort of the person operating them. 

They are typically made from plastic, but you can also get iron or stainless-steel models.

A standard hand pump will only cost you about $150, but you can end up spending up to $500 for the premium models. 

How Much Is A Well Pump

Type of Pump 

Average Cost 

Budget  

Expensive 

Jet  

$300-500 

$100-175 

$800-1000 

Submersible  

$400-600 

$200-300 

$750-1300 

Solar Powered

$2750-3500 

$1500-2000 

$4000-6000 

Hand  

$150-250 

$100-150 

$300-500 

Installation Costs - Shallow Well Vs Deep Well 

Unfortunately, the cost of a well pump doesn’t end with the unit itself. You will need to pay for labor and parts, which can mean a significant amount added to the overall price. Installing a well pump isn’t always straightforward, and it can be challenging to do on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, then get a professional in because a well pump needs to be installed correctly to avoid any issues.  

The cost of labor itself will vary massively depending on the type of well. For a shallow well, you should expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $1000 depending on the exact specifications of the job. 

A deep well is a bit more complicated, and your installation costs will go up because it will take longer. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 and $5000 for your pump to be installed in a deep well, so it is definitely worth getting some quotes upfront.  

You also need to consider parts too. A shallow well will not need as much piping or wiring, but it will still need some to connect. It will probably cost you between $100 and $200 for the parts, maybe less if it’s a very shallow well. A deep well needs a lot more and may cost you anywhere between $400 and $2000 for parts.  

So, for a shallow well, you might expect to pay $300-500 for a pump, $100-200 for parts, and $100-300 for labor. This means it could cost you between $500 and $1000 in total.  

For a deep well, you might expect to pay $750-1250 for a pump, $600-1000 for parts, and $1000-3000 for labor. This means it could cost you between $2350 and $5250 in total.  

Of course, the numbers involved will depend on the exact specifications, quality, and type of well pump you choose.  


How Much Does Average Well Pump Repair Cost?  

Well pumps, like any piece of home machinery, need to be maintained if you want to get the most from them. You should be checking your well pump thoroughly every 6 months (this is totally doable without professional assistance) so you can discover any issues early.  

Replacing a whole well pump can be costly, but generally, if there is an issue, you’ll be able to just replace that one component. Remember, it’s just not the component's price; it's the total, including labor costs. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

Well Pump Parts 

Average Cost 

Total with Labor Costs 

Deep well jet pump 

$100-500 

$400-800 

Shallow well jet pump 

$50-300 

$200-500 

Well ejector 

$50-300 

$150-500 

Pitless adapter 

$50-250 

$150-500 

Pressure switch 

$25-50 

$125-175 

Pressure gauge 

$15-30 

$100-150 

Foot valve 

$50-200 

$150-300 

Pump sleeve 

$40-70 

$150-350 

Control box 

$75-225 

$200-500 

Motor start capacitor 

$20-50 

$100-150 


Installation Costs: DIY Vs Pro  

With the wealth of resources readily available online, people are taking on more DIY jobs than ever before. Installing a completely new well pump can be extremely challenging, but replacing a pump like for like is doable yourself.  

Hiring a professional offers several advantages. It’s simple, effortless, and gives you the confidence that it's been done correctly. The quality should be perfect, and that means you shouldn’t have to prime or fix anything with the well pump. It not only helps to protect your well pump, but also helps to protect the pipes, fittings, and wiring.  

Taking on the job yourself is obviously a great way to save money. For some well types, you can literally save thousands of dollars, and if you are confident, then you might think it’s worth giving it a go. If you are replacing your well pump, then it is doable for an experienced DIYer. However, if you don’t feel 100% or you are installing it for the first time, then DIY may not be the way to go.  

Our advice is to get a professional involved. Many pumps come with clear-cut instructions you can follow, but if you set up a well pump incorrectly, it can be time-consuming and expensive to fix. Investing the money once, upfront, with a contractor you trust will give you peace of mind and help ensure the water flows just as you expect it to.  

DIY Vs Pro

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How much is a 1 horsepower well pump? 

A 1 horsepower well pump will typically cost between $300 and 800 depending on the type, size, and model you go for.  

How much does a well water pump cost for a house? 

A well pump that supplies water to a house will typically be quite large and require more power. You can expect the well pump itself to cost between $750 and $1250, with the cost of labor and parts on top pushing this to about $2000. Of course, this depends on the exact setup and the exact well pump.  

Do well pumps need maintenance? 

Yes, well pumps need to be maintained, or they can run inefficiently or break down completely. They should be serviced every 3-5 years and checked annually for any issues.  

How often should your well pump turn on? 

This depends on the cycle of the well pump. On average, they should only run for 2-3 hours a day maximum. If you use your well pump too frequently, you could cause damage to the pump.  


Conclusion

Well pumps have been used for a long time, but the technology has come on in leaps and bounds. The more sophisticated the well pump, the more it will cost, but the best way to save money is to consider the type of well pump you need and get the specifications right.

This will help you save on parts, labor, and the well pump itself. Hopefully, this guide has given you some useful information about how much a well pump will cost and what the key differences are between them. 

Josh enjoys researching, testing and diving into home improvement & DIY products. He has a passion for tools, learning new skills and fixing the everyday problems that arise around the house.

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