Any "Well" Experts here?

[Ripon83]

Just trying to learn something here and don't want to call a salesmen and get on a list to find out. I have some property in Nevada that we had surveyed for water years ago. There is already an active well that is used by a farmer we lease some of the land too. But if I had to "live" there for some bad reason and wanted a residential water well put in - how much is it? I realize how much it might be in a horrible time is more then it might be now but having the reference information now would be helpful. I also realize the permitting costs right now are another issue, but if there was a SHTF situation the permitting might be out the window (one can hope). My aquifers are 80 and 140 feet and nothing lower has ever been sought - don't even know if its there.

In working with a family member on his well - he bought his house with one already in place so I don't know what they cost. I know pumps are really quite reasonable and solar power to run those pumps is also quite reasonable. But how much to drill and set the well in place with pump? That is what I'm looking for?

[Dubious_Beans]

That question is a little like asking "my car needs to be fixed, how much should it cost?".

Well prices can vary greatly depending on type of material to be drilled (clay? sandstone? HARD rock?) , accesability, and local labor rates and who knows what else. You really need to get a local well driller out to give an estimate.

Here in Sonoma County, our neighbors had a 300' well drilled 3 years ago and it cost them about $35K.

We got a quote to drill on our property 2 years ago and it was about $40K - $45K.
But we have "difficult" terrain and just getting a drilling rig to the site is kind of a big deal...

[Ripon83]

Thanks

Those are bigger numbers then I expected. I'd like to ask the farmer that leased our ground what he paid for that well - but its been 10 years at least. Our property could be tough to get too, but its more about distance out. No rock issues; the terrain is more dry desert like with plenty of sand, creek beds, and the like.

Can I ask; in your figure of $35k does that include permits? I am asking because my recollection of that area of the planet is quite heavily regulated? My area (Northern Nevada) is not as regulated but permits are required. I'm just curious to learn what it might be without permits - should there be no one to issue permits at that time.

That question is a little like asking "my car needs to be fixed, how much should it cost?".

Well prices can vary greatly depending on type of material to be drilled (clay? sandstone? HARD rock?) , accesability, and local labor rates and who knows what else. You really need to get a local well driller out to give an estimate.

Here in Sonoma County, our neighbors had a 300' well drilled 3 years ago and it cost them about $35K.

We got a quote to drill on our property 2 years ago and it was about $40K - $45K.
But we have "difficult" terrain and just getting a drilling rig to the site is kind of a big deal...

[llamatrnr]

Yellow pages - well drilling; tell guy the area and he should be able to throw you a ballpark #. I strongly recommend you get yourself a 10k gal tank, too

[CSACANNONEER]

If you just want a little well, you can do it yourself with a rig out of Popular Mechanics. I know guys who have done just that and have gotten decent results.

You might even look into buying your own old rig and getting it going for one or two more holes. When I was in college, I worked for a guy who did just that. We punched several 16" holes down to 300-400 feet. I also worked for the only blind well driller I've ever heard of. He had a much better rig and could run the entire thing by sound and feel. Anyway, look into doing it yourself. You might be surprised to find out how cheap and simple it is.

[Dubious_Beans]

Can I ask; in your figure of $35k does that include permits? I am asking because my recollection of that area of the planet is quite heavily regulated?

Yeah, I believe those numbers included all the appropriate permits.

EVERYTHING is expensive in sonoma county, and our terrain isn't easy to deal with. And we're looking at around 300' or so to get good water here.
Our neighbors a mile away ended up drilling a 300 footer also.

Hopefully you won't need 300 feet. Cuz' more deep = less cheap.

I would guess that in Nevada it's likely to be a bit cheaper, but I dunno.

[OHOD]

I just bought some land and have been looking into drilling a well. You really won't get a straight forward answer because....

1. They don't know how far to drill to reach water.
2. There are various methods for the shaft, galvanized or not.
3. They don't know what they will come into, granite or whatever....
A friend of mine said they had to drill through some granite in Oregon and it cost him a small fortune. so he says.

In Florida, the estimates are around $5k-10k, but then again the aqua-fur is only a few hundred feet down.

As for myself, I will be using a rainwater cistern collection system.

[OHOD]

You might be surprised to find out how cheap and simple it is.

Not in Kalifornia.
Nothing is cheap here.

[Ripon83]

Great answers thank you...I love learning about stuff I know nothing about. I will definitely look into the popular mechanics do it yourself solution - that sounds fun actually. Plus where I'm going it'd be hard for anyone to know I punched a whole in the ground - they'd have to fly over at the wrong time. Rain collection system is feasible even where I'm at; since we have enough land to collect from....all good stuff thanks.

Dubious everything is more expensive there cause its so darn nice there....I enjoy visiting your area, but I couldn't afford to live there....

[Fireguy]

What county is your place in NV? The price varies by terrain and access to the site and how far you are from you're from the drillers. Travel time can be a killer.
Have you had the property witched?
I'll see if I can find what it cost a friend of mine to drill in Lyon County. If you are going to use solar to run a pump you are going to have big solar panels and batteries.

[paradox]

Don't pay for witching. Biggest fraud ever. If you want a good quote, find out who the farmer used and call them. They will have a copy of the drilling log and can give a very accurate quote.

[Ripon83]

Our land is in Humbolt. Part of the reason I don't care to "bother" calling someone is I'm not interested in having a well put in right now; I merely want to know what it will take, cost, etc. I hate to ask a business for details and not plan on using them...just hoping someone had some insight....which by the way: "How to Drill a Well" on google produces some wonderous stuff. It might be do able on my own. And far less in dollars since the property is probably 3 hrs from the nearest company.

[cruising7388]

Our land is in Humbolt. Part of the reason I don't care to "bother" calling someone is I'm not interested in having a well put in right now; I merely want to know what it will take, cost, etc. I hate to ask a business for details and not plan on using them...just hoping someone had some insight....which by the way: "How to Drill a Well" on google produces some wonderous stuff. It might be do able on my own. And far less in dollars since the property is probably 3 hrs from the nearest company.

You know, however you do it, it's never going to get less expensive for the permits, materials and labor. Even if you never use the well, it will add value to the land if and when you sell it. Also with the well tested and functioning, it's probably grandfathered and some bureaucrat down the line can't force you connect to a municipal water line if you build on the property.

[CSACANNONEER]

Not in Kalifornia.
Nothing is cheap here.

OP is talking about NV and, I'm talking about DIY. It's quite possible that it's actually a lot cheaper to buy everything you need, DIY and still come out way ahead.

[Norsemen308]

i have a well on my property on my property. I gotta ask though, do you have any cows ?? are you by any large live stock farms?? your water table could be worse then you think...