How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost?

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, understanding well inspections can help you avoid expensive repairs, plumbing damage and even tummy bugs. While many people enjoy the independence that a home well offers, keeping up to date with inspections is a must.

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Who Pays for a Well Inspection?

While there are no hard-and-fast rules, homebuyers usually pay for well inspections. However, sellers may agree to cover the costs in certain circumstances. For example, they may decide to pay if they're keen to get a transaction completed as quickly as possible or if the sale depends on the well being in good working condition.

Well inspections are essential for ensuring your water supply is free from contaminants and your well is structurally sound. Specifying who'll pay for the well inspection in your purchase contract is essential to avoid disagreements later on.

What Does a Well Inspection Include?

During a well inspection, your inspector will visually check your entire system for wear and tear, leaks, corrosion and any other issues that could impact your well's operation or the safety of your drinking water. In addition to the well itself, they may also check the surrounding area for potential sources of contamination, such as nearby industrial activity or a faulty septic system.

Well inspectors also test your well's components to ensure they're functioning properly. While parts vary depending on whether you have a bored or drilled well, they often include:

• Well cap

• Pump

• Electrical wiring

• Well casing

• Pressure tank

Most well inspections include a water flow test. This test measures how fast water flows from the well, enabling the inspector to detect hidden issues in your system.

Well inspectors usually recommend testing your water to spot problems that could increase your risk of illness or harm your plumbing system. Water tests usually check for harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, and chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals. They may also check your water's hardness, pH level and sediment level. That's because an incorrect pH or excessive hardness can damage your pipework and affect the flavor of your tap water.

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How Much Does a Well Inspection Cost?

According to data from HomeGuide, well inspections cost $250 to $550 (CAD 357 to CAD 786) on average, excluding the cost of water testing. Inspections tend to cost more if your well is 500 feet or deeper because they require specialized equipment. Having a submersible pump could also increase your costs, as these pumps tend to be harder to access. Expect to pay toward the upper end of the scale if you have an old or unstable well.

Septic system faults increase the risk of well contamination, so homeowners often choose to have both systems inspected in the same visit. Some well inspectors offer well and septic system packages for this reason. Expect to spend between $400 and $650 (CAD 572 and CAD 929) on a well and septic inspection.

How Much Does Well Water Testing Cost?

The cost of well water testing depends on the type and number of substances included, with most homeowners spending between $100 and $750 (CAD 143 and CAD 1,072). The level of testing you require depends on local risk factors, and your well inspector can advise you on the most suitable test for your needs.

Basic well water tests check for harmful microorganisms, heavy metals and chemical contaminants like nitrite and chloride. These tests typically cost $130 to $200 (CAD 186 to CAD 286) and don't usually tell you the levels of individual contaminants. Instead, they simply tell you whether each contaminant is present in your water supply.

More advanced tests tell you the concentrations of each contaminant and test for a broader range of substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), industrial chemicals and pesticides. These tests cost up to $750 (CAD 1,072).

Most inspectors can test your water at the same time as your well inspection. Inspectors typically charge $350 to $900 (CAD 500 to CAD 1,287) for a well inspection and water testing.