When a new well makes sense
Drilling a new well isn't the first answer to most well problems, and a good local pro will tell you that up front. The large majority of no-water and low-pressure calls trace back to a pump, a tank, or a switch, all far cheaper than starting over. But some situations do call for a new well, and sometimes it's the only fix that works:
- A property with no well. New construction or vacant land in rural Marion County that needs its first water source.
- A well that has run dry or is failing at the source. A shallow or aging well whose water level or yield has dropped below what the household needs, where a deeper or new well is the fix rather than another pump.
- A collapsed or contaminated well. A borehole that has caved, silted in, or been compromised beyond rehabilitation.
- An old, low-yield well. A well that no longer keeps up with a modern household's demand no matter what pump goes in it.
The drilled well itself lasts a long time. A properly built residential well can serve 40 to 50 years or longer, while the pump down inside it only lasts 8 to 15 years. So a new well is a long-horizon investment, not a recurring cost, and that's a big part of why it's worth doing right the first time.
What well drilling costs
The cost of a new well comes down to depth, because you pay mostly by the foot. Here's the national picture:
| Item | Cost (HomeGuide 2026) |
|---|---|
| Complete new well, typical 200 ft | $6,000 to $16,000 |
| Full installed price per foot | $30 to $80+ per foot |
| Drilling only, per foot | $20 to $30 per foot |
A second national source lands in the same band, putting the 2026 national average at $25 to $65 per foot. Florida figures from local contractor pages tend to run lower per foot than the national average, because the water table across much of the state sits relatively shallow. One Florida well guide cites roughly $10 to $30 per foot and about $7,000 for a typical 200-foot Florida residential well. Treat that Florida number as a contractor estimate, not a government figure, and get a site-specific quote, since local geology and the depth you'll need vary across Marion County.
What the price includes
A complete new well is a lot more than a hole in the ground. A full system quote should spell out each piece, so you can compare bids fairly:
- Drilling to the depth needed to reach a reliable water-bearing layer.
- Casing and screen to line the borehole and keep it from collapsing or drawing sediment.
- The pump, sized to the well's depth and the home's demand, covered on our pump page.
- The pressure tank and switch, the system that delivers steady pressure to the house, covered on our pressure tank page.
- Connection and testing, tying the well into the home's plumbing and confirming flow, pressure, and water quality.
Because a well ties into so many trades, permitting and construction standards come into play. Well construction in Florida is regulated through the state's water management districts, so a proper job includes the required permit for your district. That's one reason to work with an established local driller instead of the cheapest bid: the well has to be built to standard and documented, not just dug.
Get the diagnosis before the drill
If a contractor jumps straight to recommending a new well on a no-water call, without first checking the pump, tank, and switch, be careful. A new well is the most expensive answer to a well problem, and it's rarely the right one for a sudden loss of water on a well that's otherwise sound. The right sequence puts diagnosis first: confirm the pump and system are truly the problem, rule out the cheaper fixes on our repair page, and only then talk about drilling if the well itself has failed at the source.
When a new well genuinely is the answer, it's a big job worth planning carefully: the depth, the system components, the permit, and a written quote that breaks out each line. Do it right and you've got a 40-to-50-year water source, the single most durable part of the whole system.
Sources
- New well cost, per-foot and total: HomeGuide, Well Drilling Cost (2026); welldrillingcosts.com (2026 national average).
- Florida per-foot and typical 200-foot cost: DrillerDB (Florida well guide, contractor estimate).
- Well and pump lifespan: Bemis Well Drilling.
- Well permitting: Florida water management districts.
Well beyond saving, or a property that needs its first one? Get a local Marion County driller to look at the site and quote it straight.
Call (352) 619-0910Why homeowners use this site
Local pros, not a call center
You're connected with well and pump contractors who actually work Marion County, not a national phone queue.
Real prices up front
Every cost on this site comes from named national guides, so you know the ballpark before anyone drives out.
Fast callbacks
Tell us what your well is doing and a local pro gets back to you quickly, same day when there's no water.
No pressure
You get a straight recommendation and a price range, not a hard sell for a new pump you don't need.
No water jumps the line
A dry well is an emergency. Say so when you reach out and your call moves to the front.
Well-savvy pros
The pros we refer know Floridan-aquifer wells, iron and sulfur water, and the pump setups common across Marion County.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drill a new well in Ocala?
Figure $6,000 to $16,000 for a complete new residential well on a typical 200-foot well, or $30 to $80 or more per foot installed. Drilling alone runs $20 to $30 per foot. Florida contractor estimates can come in lower, around $10 to $30 per foot, because the water table sits relatively shallow across much of the state. Either way, a site-specific quote is what settles it.
How deep does a well need to be in Marion County?
It depends on where the reliable water-bearing layer sits under your property, and that varies across the county. Much of Florida has a relatively shallow water table compared with the national average, but the only way to know your depth is a site evaluation. Since you pay mostly by the foot, depth is the biggest thing driving the final price.
Do I need a new well, or just a new pump?
Usually it's just a pump, tank, or switch. A new well is only the right call when the well itself has failed at the source, run dry, collapsed, or been contaminated, or when a property has no well at all. A good pro checks the pump and system first and only brings up drilling once the cheaper fixes are ruled out.
How long does a drilled well last?
A properly built and maintained residential well can last 40 to 50 years or longer. The pump inside it lasts far less, typically 8 to 15 years, so over the life of a well you'll swap the pump several times while the well itself keeps serving.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Florida?
Yes. Well construction in Florida is regulated through the state's water management districts, and a proper installation includes the required permit for your district. On a job this permanent, an established local driller who handles the permit and builds to standard is worth more than the cheapest bid.
Get a well drilling quote
Planning a new well or facing a failed one? A local well driller will evaluate the site, confirm whether drilling is really needed, and give you a per-foot and total quote.
Prefer to talk? Call (352) 619-0910. Have a pump model, water test, or photos to send? Email them to ocalawell.marketing@gmail.com.