There are two main types of pumps used to bring water up from residential water wells: submersible and jet. With submersible pumps the electric motor and the pump are installed inside the well as a single cylindrical unit, so the pump actually pushes the water up. In contrast, jet pumps act like a long straw, using high pressure to create a vacuum suction that draws water to the surface. Shallow jet pumps (up to 25' deep) have the equipment mounted at the surface, while a deep well jet pump has an ejector installed inside the well.
Typical costs:
Shallow well jet pumps typically cost $100-$500 or more, depending on materials (cast iron, stainless steel, thermoplastic, carbon-ceramic), capacity (gallons per minute), motor (from 1/3 horsepower to 1.5 HP) and options like a self-priming feature or pre-wired pressure switch. For example, the Dayton 4HEY4 1/2HP Shallow Well jet Pump[1] in thermoplastic costs $269 and the cast iron Dayton 1D872 1HP Shallow Well Jet Pump[2] costs $484.
Expect to pay $175-$800 or more for a deep well jet pump, depending on materials, capacity, motor (1/2HP to 2HP) and features such as multiple stages (to lift water from greater depths). For example, the cast iron Flint & Walling CPJ15 Deluxe Deep Well Jet[3] pumps depths up to 150' and costs $675-$745. Within this general price range there are also convertible jet pumps that can be used in either shallow or deep wells. For example, the cast iron Dayton 1D875 3/4HP Convertible Jet Pump[4] costs $375.
Submersible residential well pumps typically cost $200-$1,200 or more, depending on size (usually 3"-6" in diameter and 2'-4' long), capacity (gallons per minute), motor (3/4HP-5HP) and materials (cast iron, stainless steel). For example, the stainless steel 1/2HP Dayton 1LZR4 Deep Well Submersible Pump[5] pumps 10GPM and costs $475, while the stainless steel 1HPl Goulds 25GS Submersible Water System Pump[6] delivers 25GPM and costs $740-$1,000.
In addition to labor, the installation of a water pump may require additional piping or other plumbing, and possibly repairs to the water system if replacing an old pump. Installation can add $250-$2,500 or more to the total, depending on what's included. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources[7] estimates the total cost of replacing the typical domestic submersible pump at $600-$1,200, not including cleanup or repair of the well and/or plumbing system.
Well pumps raise water from a well and, typically, deliver it to a storage tank where it is held under pressure until needed. Most well pumps are not designed to run continuously, and don't start pumping water each time a faucet is turned on or a toilet is flushed. Instead, the pump delivers water to the storage tank until the tank's pressure hits a preset level, usually 40 to 60 psi (pounds per square inch). The pump then switches off until the pressure in the tank drops a specific amount, which prompts the pump to re-fill the tank. Popular Mechanics explains how well pumps work[8] .
Installing or replacing a well pump can be a do-it-yourself project with basic plumbing and electrical skills, but depending on the depth of the well it may require strength and assistants to pull the existing flexible pipe out of the well. A well pump professional typically uses a pump puller machine or a derrick truck to remove the old well piping. A well pump installer provides an installation video[9] for a replacement 3/4 HP submersible pump, while a well owner demonstrates a shallow jet pump[10] used for landscape irrigation.
The water system should be disinfected and re-tested after any work is done. Most well pump installers include this in their installation fees.
Shopping for a well pump:
Well pumps are typically available from most home improvement and hardware stores like Home Depot[11] ; online retailers like Amazon[12] ; plumbing supply centers; and well drilling companies.
The size and type of well pump needed depends on the depth of the well, the elevation, local conditions and the total amount of household water usage. The right size well pump should have the capacity to meet the normal peak household demand, rather than just average use. The Water Systems Council provides guidelines for sizing and selecting a water pump[13] .
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Pump pulled broken shaft - waiting for estimate about replacement. $1100 seems high for just pulling. I fear the estimate will be high. The pump was set at 590 ft. Using old wire and pipe, what should this cost? Illinois western suburbs of Chicago
Our above ground pump was already dated and exposure to our acidic water made the matter even worse, to the point where the pipes rusted and water was leaking everywhere in the well house. Was told by the contractor that they no longer install above ground pumps, so they are replacing with submersible pump. Also, asked for quote for a water neutralizer to address the acidity problem, and was quoted for an additional $1400.
ATFER SPENDING $6600 for drilling 420 ft., we were shocked at installation charge, Huge markup by installer on all parts. 2 gal tank requires almost constant pumping. Can't wait to see our next electric bill.
E and D water wells installed me new 1/2 hp pump in 60'deep well. Took them 45 minutes to do the job Price is fair , did not test the pump yet, no perm power installed yet
My well casing cover was rusted on pretty good. The installer had to cut through it with a sawzall. The pump had gone bad due to a crack in one of the elbows at the well seal (probably what caused all the rust) and there was apparently a hole in the pipe about sixty feet down. We also topped off our pool a week before (opened it for the season) and had a big BBQ that weekend. The check valves may have been bad which probably allowed water back down and kept the pump running more than necessary, eventually burning it out.The pipe was schedule 40 pvc (6 lengths of 20' pipe). We have a high water table. I'd figure the well is not much deeper than 120' and the static level is between 20'-30' (water was flowing out the casing before the new pump was all the way down). The installer replaced old 1/3 hp goulds pump with a 1/2 hp grundfos. He replaced the pipe with sch 80 or 120 pvc pipe and couplings. Wire to pump, seal and fittings at seal were replaced. Final cost was just under $2400.
Old pump was running constantly. Tested pressure tank and pump both seem to be okay. Believe 24 year old galvanized well pipe was leaking. Replaced old pump and pipes. Labor and technician cost $460. Material cost $1740.
I had several local well company,s not return calls. Old pump was very loud, water would come out, about 20 gallons, and then no water for three too four minutes and reapeat to trickle. Contacted a local plumber, who troubleshot the the well pump, they said the pump had very low amps, and wanted to pull the well pump (200 feet). They pulled the old pump (13 years old), and advised me to replace the pump. 3/4 Grundfo pump installed, they used same wire which was in good shape replaced adapters on old plastic pipe, new control box. Owner and one worker, two work trucks,one with a wench lift. About 6 hours of labor. I thought it was a little pricey, but they did answer the phone and showed up and the work got done, and were very professional. Plumber advised if I had any problems with the new pump to call him and he would return to fix the problem. They worked in one feet of snow melting to mud. Pricey but it was well worth it.
Had to replace our motor and pump...pulled up 70 feet of line, new couplings, new connections wiring harness, took an hour and a half - two men, three hours of labor total cost $1500 the pump is overkill could have use half of this power...educate before emergency and we could have saved $800
The home inspection report recommended that a well pro check our well before we bought closed on home. So once I realized nearly 30 days after moving in that he pump was constantly running and my tank pressure was 25 lbs I finally called the company who dug the well. The owner and his nephew, with his son, showed up. Turbo-charged crew. What a great team.142 feet deep.
255 ft well. 3rd Pump in 27 years. $525 in labor, Straight forward job, pulling up old pump, putting new one on, replace the wiring, installed new pressure tank and switch. I've used the same installer for 27 years. Price of pump was the only thing I questioned. He is giving me the cost of $1388 and I see the same pump online for around $400. If I'm looking at the same material a 3x markup is excessive. But he is a very responsive efficient person, so I just go with it.
i got all new materials at todays prices...this price is what you should exspect if its done rite. some of the low prices you read about dont tell the whole story...you get what you pay for.
30 degree day.... 2 installers. Did a great job. Put in a 10 gal. 1/2 hp 3 wire Berkley pump, 1/2 hp control box, 6X1 well seal and some other stuff I can't make out on the receipt. Our well is 265 ft. deep. I feel it was very fair price for the work and technical expertise required.
I had my pump pulled up they had trouble pulling the pipe because of misalignment from previous work,the stop valves were bad an seals replaced but pump tested good,took 4 days because they had to take top and cement out to pull pipe.
I've not installed the well yet but I've received quotes ranging from $4,000-$5,400.00. All are local well drillers and quoted similar installation services. In addtion to the above charges I'll need to hire an electrician to powere the pump and a plumber to hook up the well to my sprinkler irrigation system.
Replaced over Memorial Day Weekend. Well is 700 feet deep with the pump set at 650 feet deep. Replace the old pump with a new Grundfos motor 1 1/2HP and a Goulds pump end model 7G515. Parts and material total was $2000.00. The gentlemen that did the work were very professional and timely.
I have been in a rental for two years now and was not aware that my water is supplied by both city utility company and an electric well pump. There is a circuit on my electric panel box labeled "DVA Well" and the circuit was flipped in the 'on' position. Last month the adult son of our neighbor walked over on a Sunday morning because his dad wanted us to know that our electric well pump had been on for quite some time and were we aware of it. We were not; since all circuits were turned to 'on' position for at least a year does that mean we have had continuous well water pumping via the electrical panel? Who is responsible for the exorbitant water and electricity costs for the past year; tenant with no knowledge of such device or the owner?
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