If youve been having problems with a drinking water or irrigation well on your property, it may be time to replace the water pump. Signs of trouble with the water pump include sediment in your water, low water pressure, water that sputters and spits out of the faucet, increasing electric bills, funky noises in the pipe or from the pump, and other water access problems. Another clear sign you need help with your water pump is if youre getting no water at all! Its best to leave water pump replacement to the professionals, because errors can lead to costly repairs and digging that can be avoided with the proper tools and experience.
The cost of water pump replacement varies depending on the type of pump you are installing, the depth of the well, the cost of labor and well services in your region, and any additional repair work or labor required (such as using a pump hoist for wells more than 200 feet deep).
Total water pump replacement and labor costs can range anywhere from $1,000 up to $4,000 (on the extreme end), says Nate Hommel of Pure Well Drilling in Toms River, New Jersey. The cost of the pump generally accounts for 75 percent of the total cost of the job. Here are some examples of cost from Hommel (prices do not reflect tax):
4-inch well pump: ~ $1,000 from Pure Well Drilling.
Larger well pumps cost more and require more labor to replace. Total job costs can range from $1,000-$3,000 for 4-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch diameter wells. A replacement job totaling $3,000 would be for a big well system, says Hommel.
Replacing a convertible jet pump (housed above ground): ~ $1,000 from Pure Well Drilling.
Your new water pump will have a direct impact on replacement cost. Youll typically replace your current pump with a similar one, unless youve been underpowering your system. Selecting the right power pump for your well system is important; a pump with too little horsepower can lead to low water pressure or an overworked motor, burning out and requiring replacement before its time. Your well system professional can guide you in selecting the appropriate pump.
The two most common types of well water pumps are submersible pumps and jet pumps, explains the Ground Water Association. Jet pumps come in two variations: deep well jet pumps and convertible jet pumps. Deep well jet pumps have the horsepower to draw water from depths of 25 feet down to 200 feet.
Convertible jet pumps, also called shallow well pumps, are better suited to pumping water for wells no more than 25 feet deep. Convertible jet pumps are housed above ground. Retail costs can range from $150-$400 and up, depending on the manufacturer, model and more.
Submersible pumps are more commonly used in deeper wells than jet pumps. Submersible pumps are cylindrical and hang suspended, completely submerged in your well (as the name implies), and are therefore harder to access for replacement. Although they require more work to replace, submersible pumps have more water pumping power and are more reliable than other pumps of the same size. To replace a submersible pump in a well 200 feet or deeper, youll need a pump hoist, says Hommel of Pure Well Drilling. Purchasing a submersible pump from a specialty retailer or big box store may range in price from approximately $350 to $1,200 depending on the make, model and horsepower.