How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Well Pump?

Cost of Well Water Pump Installation

The price you’ll pay to replace the well pump in your water well is around $1,480. This includes a plumber coming to diagnose the size and type of pump you need, supplying the replacement well pump and making all connections to your well system. When the job is finished, they will clean the area, remove and dispose of old parts and equipment as needed.

Average Installed Costs

Overview of Well Pumps

You’re well’s pump is the most important piece of your water system. Above-ground jet pumps for shallow wells pull water up the well. Submersible pumps are installed in deep wells to push water up the well and into your home.

Well pumps last 12-25 years depending on type and quality. They do wear out in time and can be knocked out by a lighting strike or worn out too soon when a backcheck valve fails and they run non-stop.

This well pump replacement cost comparison covers cost factors of the pump and installation, retail prices and labor costs. We’ve gathered well pump replacement costs from other reliable pricing sites too. And there’s a place below for homeowners to share their well pump replacement price.

Please feel free to return to Costimates to share the cost of your job and a little about it (pump type, depth, factors) to assist other readers in knowing whether the estimates they’re getting from contractors are reasonable.

Well Water Pump Price Factors

There’s quite a difference between the low end and how much you can pay for a well pump at the top end. These factors affect cost:

• Pump Type –At the low end, submersible pumps are a little more expensive than jet pumps– but they’re two to four times the cost at the high end because of their higher horsepower and gallons per minute potential.
• Size of the Well – A 6” or 8” well requires a more powerful and costly pump than a standard 4” well.
• Depth of the Well – This applies to submersible pump wells. Not only will depth affect pump type and how powerful it must be, it will determine the amount of wiring needed and, to a lesser extent, the amount of time it takes to pull up the submerged pump and re-submerge the replacement pump.
• Horsepower – 115V pumps are 1/2HP and 1HP pumps suitable for depths to about 225 feet. 230V pumps are 1HP to 3HP pumps and are rated for depths 200 to 1,000 feet.
• Pump Quality – The quality ranges from good to premium. There are few cheap well pumps because they simply wouldn’t last.
• Related Repairs – While not factored in the costs here, other repairs such as pressure tank replacement, pump pressure switch replacement and pressure gauge replacement are often made at this time. These can be preventative repairs that keep the water flowing and prevent a separate visit from the well contractor, usually incurring a minimum fee with each trip to your home. In short, don’t be surprised if the well repair technician asks you about replacing other components. If they’re 15+ years old, it is worth considering.

You’ll know what impact these factors have on total cost when you get well pump replacement estimates from local plumbing contractors. It makes sense to get estimates from multiple companies because they’ll be more competitive if they know they’re only one of several options. Plus, you’ll learn more about the condition of your well and water supply as a whole by talking with several pros.

Learn More About Types of Well Pumps

There are two types of well pumps: Above ground pumps and submersible pumps.

Above-ground Pumps: Shallow well pumps are the cheapest option but are rated for wells to about 25 feet deep. They mount in a housing next to the well head and range in power from ½ to 1.5 horsepower.

Their advantage is lower cost. The disadvantage is that they are not self-priming, so it takes about 20-30 seconds to bring up the water pressure. And, of course, they’re not designed for any well deeper than 25 feet.

Jet pumps and convertible jet pumps are also above-ground pumps for relatively shallow wells. A standard Jet Pump is rated for 25 feet and is just a different design than a Shallow Well pump. Convertible Jet Pumps are outfitted with an ejector assembly that boosts water pressure through creating a vacuum. This makes them effective to about 90 feet.

Flo-Tec, Superior Pump, Everbilt and Wayne are among the more affordable shallow well pumps. Premium pumps at a higher cost include Grundfos and Goulds.

Submersible pumps can be used in shallower wells, but they are always used in wells over 90 feet. Popular submersible pump brands include affordable Flot-tec, , XtremePowerUS and Everbilt, midrange brands like Red Lion and premium brands like Grundfos and Little Giant.

Generally, you’ll find affordable and mid-range brands at Home Depot and other home improvement stores.

Premium brands are sold by local and online specialty stores and through well pump installers.

Cost of Well Pump and Installation Supplies

Retail Pump Prices by Type

Here are retail costs for the three basic pump types. Shallow well pumps and jet pumps are installed above ground in a housing next to the well head. Submersible pumps are dropped down the well with waterproof wiring.

• $95 – $700 | Shallow Well Pumps for wells to about 25 feet – Cost is based on quality, size, power supply and horsepower.
• $125 – $900 | Jet Pumps for wells to about 90 feet – Cost based on quality and specs.
• $150 – $2,000 | Submersible Well Pumps for wells up to 1,000 feet deep. Cost factors are specs and quality.
• $0.60 – $1.00 per linear foot | Submersible Well Pump Wire Kits. A 150-foot roll and connector kit costs about $90 to $150 based on the gauge of the wire and whether it is a two-wire or three-wire connection.

Signs You May Need a New Well Pump

Is your well pump on its way out? Here are the most common tell-tale signs that your pump is failing.

• No water/poor pressure – The electrical circuit is on, but the pump isn’t running or delivering poor water pressure
• Fluctuations in pressure – Some are normal, like when the pump kicks on, you notice a boost in pressure – but erratic water pressure might point to pump weakening
• High-than-normal electric bills – your pump might be working overtime to get water to you
• Sputtering or spitting taps is another sign of low water pressure, and the pump is one of several factors that cause this
• Odd noises in the well, tank or water system

If any of these are occurring, a well contractor can make a specific diagnosis and suggest a solution.

Is an Insurance Claim Possible

Well heads are a frequent target of lightning. If you have reason to suspect lightning, you’ll have to get a pro well pump contractor to verify and back up your claim. If the pro can show lighting damage to the pump, it should be covered by your homeowner policy.

Related Costs and Installation Time

Well pump replacement cost is determined by the cost of the pump and the time involved to diagnose the problem, remove the old pump and install the new. Labor cost per hour are $80 – $150 when replacing a well water pump. It’s often done by a single technician, though 2-person crews are common too.

Installation Time

• 1.5 – 2 Hours | Diagnose and Replace Bad Well Pump

Related Projects

We’ve found the plumbing projects listed below to be commonly related to having a well pump replaced.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Whether it is a good idea to replace your own well pump depends in part on what type pump you have. Swapping out a shallow well pump is only moderately challenging for experienced homeowners.

The specs such as voltage, horsepower and outlet diameter should be displayed on the pump. If not, you might get help in finding the right replacement by taking it to the home improvement store or calling an online seller.

• Make sure the power is off to the pump – use a voltage meter to be certain sure – and disconnect the wiring and pipes to the old unit.
• Install, connect and wire the new pump. Installation instructions should come with the pump. Follow them to a “T.”

Replacing a submersible pump is harder because there are more specifications to consider including maximum PSI, Gallons per Minute (GPM), 2-wire vs 3-wire connections, running amps and more.

An experienced DIY homeowner with attention to care and detail can replace a submersible well pump but our recommendation is to call a plumbing contractor to make sure it is done right the first time without potential harm to the well and pipes. DIY is possible, but in our opinion, this is one project best left to someone who does it every day.