How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

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A well inspection is a process where an inspector comes in to evaluate the condition of the water well and provide suggestions and solutions if any issues are found.  This inspection can either be done during a home inspection or can be done at the homeowner’s request and is highly recommended since you can’t simply look at the well and determine if it’s in good shape.

Well inspectors use a variety of techniques and equipment to complete the job and the cost will depend on the well site, where you live and company performing the job.

Water by rwkvisual, on Flickr
Water” (CC BY 2.0) by rwkvisual

How much does a well inspection cost?

On average, the cost of a well inspection can be anywhere between $45 to $150 per hour, and the average job will take upwards of one to three hours.  From our research, most of the well inspection companies we researched had charged $325 to $600 total to inspect a well.  If you were to combine the tests and add water, the well and the septic system, then the total costs could be around $450 to $650 total.

Pacific Northwest Inspections, a company that offers well inspection services, usually finishes the job in one to two hours.  On their website, they state the basic package can cost anywhere from $450 to $625, depending on the complexity of the job.

Well inspection overview

During the well inspection, the inspector will collect water samples and send it off to a state certified lab.  At this lab, they will test for coliform, e-Coli bacteria, arsenic and nitrates, and additional testing can be done for a fee if a homeowner requests it.

Aside from the laboratory results, the inspector will visually inspect the well to make sure it up to code standards.  During this inspection, he or she will inspect the setback distances, the casing height above the grade, the thickness, its condition and will look at the well cap to ensure the seals, vents, overflows, gaskets and screens are all in good condition.  Red flags, during this inspection, can include rust on the pressure tank, low pressure levels, faulty gauges, strange noises, cloudy water and/or vibrations come from the supply pipes.

Lastly, the well’s pump will be inspected to make sure it’s operating properly and the amount of water the well can produce will be examined as well.

Most jobs take an average of two to three hours to perform and lab testing, if ordered, can take up to a few weeks to receive the results back, depending on who you use.

What are the extra costs?

Sometimes, the well inspection will only include the visual inspection and to make sure the well is working according to code.  If you wanted to have your water tested at a lab, then some inspectors may charge an additional $100 to $150 for this service; however, most inspectors will include this and tie it into the estimates mentioned above.

If you have a well, then there’s a good chance you will have a septic system as well.  If this were the case, most inspectors will want to test this as well.  If you were to have both the well and septic system tested at once, then it could cost about $100 more than the estimates mentioned above; however, if you were to have your septic system tested on its own in the future, then this could be as much as a well inspection, usually around $300 to $450.

If the company has to travel outside of their radius, then a travel surcharge may be charged, which is usually $1 to $2 per mile.

Tips to know:

While some home inspectors may think they are the “jack of all trades,” it’s often best to hire an inspector who specializes in wells.  These inspectors will often have the right experience, knowledge and training.  When choosing one, first see if your state requires a well inspector to be licensed; if so, then ask to see this license before you hire.  Secondly, get at least three references to make sure the inspector has some experience.  Lastly, ask them what kind of equipment they are using in order to get the job done.

If you don’t know where to begin your search, consider talking with the neighbors who may have a well.

How can I save money?

Most companies will recommend getting your water, well and septic tank tested at the same time.  If you were to combine these tests, it often adds $50 to $150 to the total.


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  1. home masters (Columbus,  Ohio) paid $ and said:

    inspection is scheduled for new home purchase this weeek

    Was it worth it? Yes

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