Well Inspection Cost
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Well Inspection Cost

Last Updated on March 13, 2022
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

A well inspection is a procedure where an inspector will come in to examine the condition of the water well and offer you recommendations and solutions if any problems are spotted. This inspection can either be done during a house inspection or it can be done at the property owner’s demand and is extremely recommended given that you can’t just take a look at the well and know if it is in good conditions.

Well inspectors utilize a range of methods and devices to do the task and the expense will depend upon the well placement, where you live and the business carrying out the task.

Just how much does a well inspection cost?

Typically, the expense of a well inspection can be anywhere from $45 to $150 per hour, and the typical task will take somewhere between 1 and 3 hours. From what we could gather online, the majority of the well inspection businesses we were able to find had charged $325 to $600 in total to inspect a well. If you were to add the tests done to the water, the well, and the septic system, then the overall expenses could be around $450 to $650.

You might also like our articles about the cost to dig a well, the price of water leak repair, and the price of Iron Curtain water filter.

John Collins Inspections, a business that provides well evaluation services, normally ends the task in one to 2 hours. On their site, they offer the basic bundle that can cost anywhere from $450 to $650, depending upon the complexity of the task.

Well inspection details

Well InspectionThroughout the well inspection, the inspector will gather water samples and send them off to a state-accredited laboratory. At this laboratory, they will test for coliform, e-Coli germs, arsenic, and nitrates, and extra testing can be provided for a cost if you as a house owner demand it.

Aside from the lab results, the inspector will visually check the well to make sure it is up to code standards. Throughout this inspection, they will check the setback ranges, the casing height above the grade, the density, its condition and will take a look at the well cap to check the seals, vents, overflows, gaskets, and screens are all in good condition. Any red flags, throughout this evaluation, can consist of rust on the pressure tank, low-pressure levels, malfunctioning gauges, weird sounds, cloudy water and/or vibrations that come from the supply pipes.

Finally, the well’s pump will be checked to make sure it’s running effectively and the amount of water the well can give out will be tested too.

The majority of projects will take approximately 2 to 3 hours to carry out and laboratory testing, if needed, can take up to a couple of weeks to get the results back, depending upon the lab you choose to work with.

What are the additional expenses?

Often, the well inspection will only consist of the visual examination and a check to ensure the well is working according to code. If you wished to have your water checked at a local lab, then some inspectors might charge an extra $100 to $150 for this service; nevertheless, the majority of inspectors will add this and add it into the quotes noted above.

If you have a well, then there’s a likelihood you will have a septic system also. If this is true, a lot of inspectors will wish to check this also. If you were to have both the well and septic system checked at the same time, then it might cost about $100 more than the quotes pointed above; nevertheless, if you were to have your septic system tested separately in the future, then this could be as much as a well inspection, normally around $300 to $450.

If the business needs to travel beyond their radius, then a travel fee might be added to the price, which is generally $1 to $2 per mile.

Tips to keep in mind

While some property inspectors might believe they are the “jack of all trades” it’s usually a good idea to work with an inspector who focuses on wells. These inspectors will usually have the best experience, knowledge, and training. When choosing who to work with, you should first check if your state needs a well inspector to be certified; if so, then ask to see this license before you choose to hire them. Secondly, get at least 3 referrals to make sure the inspector has the needed experience. Last but not least, ask what sort of tools they are utilizing in order to get the task done.

If you do not know where to start your search, think about talking with the next-door neighbors if they have a well.

How can you save some money?

The majority of businesses will advise you to get your water, well and septic system checked at the same time. If you were to combine these tests, it typically adds $50 to $150 to the overall charge.

Alec Pow
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