Plumbing
Well Installation: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Drilling a residential potable water well with pump and pressure tank. In Florida the permit comes from the water management district, not the building department.
Verified August 2026
Typical cost
$11,000
$5,500 – $25,000
per foot of depth
$25 – $65
Permit
Required
$200 – $800
Timeline
2-5 days of drilling
2-5 days of drilling, 3-8 weeks including permitting
Do you need a permit for well installation?
Yes
Well Installation is permitted and inspected work in nearly every jurisdiction. Typical fees run $200 to $800, and a licensed contractor generally has to pull the permit.
What drives the cost
- Depth to a reliable aquifer in your area
- Casing diameter and material
- Submersible pump horsepower and pressure tank
- Water treatment for sulfur or iron
- Electrical service to the wellhead
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | required |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $200 – $800 |
| Licensed contractor required | Usually yes |
| Owner-builder allowed | Rarely |
| Inspections | Well completion inspection, Water quality test, Final plumbing inspection |
| Timeline | 2-5 days of drilling, 3-8 weeks including permitting |
| DIY difficulty | 5/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Water well construction permit from the water management district
- • Licensed water well contractor number
- • Well completion report
- • Bacteriological water sample results
Well Installation cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | $6,500 – $29,500 | +18% |
| Tampa | $5,700 – $26,000 | +4% |
| Orlando | $5,600 – $25,500 | +2% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $6,300 – $28,500 | +14% |
| Jacksonville | $5,300 – $24,000 | -4% |
| West Palm Beach | $6,200 – $28,000 | +12% |
| St. Petersburg | $5,700 – $25,800 | +3% |
| Fort Myers | $6,000 – $27,300 | +9% |
| Cape Coral | $5,900 – $26,800 | +7% |
| Sarasota | $5,900 – $27,000 | +8% |
| Naples | $6,800 – $31,000 | +24% |
| Port St. Lucie | $5,600 – $25,500 | +2% |
Frequently asked questions
Who issues well permits in Florida?
Florida's five water management districts issue water well construction permits, often delegated to a county health department. The local building department only handles the electrical and plumbing connection.
Sources
Sources & verification
Last verified August 2026. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing — they are not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.