Four national cost guides put a typical well pump replacement at $900 to $2,821, with averages of $1,750 to $1,897. Submersible pumps run $1,000–$2,500 installed; shallow-well jet pumps $400–$1,000. Before paying for a new pump, rule out a $26–$139 pressure switch, capacitor or control box.
What we did: We set four national cost guides side by side, priced the same 1/2 HP pump at five retailers on one day, and listed the cheap parts to rule out before replacing a pump.
⚠️ Safety first. A well pump runs on 115 V or 230 V. Turn off the pump breaker and confirm the circuit is dead with a tester before touching the pressure switch or control box. Franklin Electric’s control box checks need live voltage (“Power must be on for these tests”): a job for a licensed electrician or pump installer. Red Lion warns capacitors can hold a charge after disconnection. A submersible can weigh over 100 pounds and hangs on pipe and wire in the casing (This Old House, March 2026).
What a replacement costs
| Source (page date) | Typical range | Average | Full range | By pump type (as the source labels it) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (updated 2026-06-17) | $974–$2,821 | $1,897 | $200–$5,800 | Submersible $275–$1,550 · shallow jet $230–$1,000 · deep jet $440–$1,200 · constant pressure $2,000–$5,000 (“prices by type”) |
| HomeGuide (2025-08-07) | $1,000–$2,500 | $1,800 | $200–$20,000 | Submersible $1,000–$2,500 · deep jet $500–$1,400 · shallow jet $400–$1,000 · constant pressure $2,000–$5,000 (installed) |
| Forbes Home (verified 2024-10-31) | $1,000–$2,750 | $1,750 | Replacement $250–$5,000 | Submersible $200–$1,200 · deep jet $400–$1,500 · shallow jet $300–$1,000 · constant pressure $2,000–$5,000 |
| This Old House (updated 2026-03-05) | $900–$2,500 | — | — | Pump only: shallow jet $200 · deep jet $300 · submersible $500 (Home Depot units) |
$1,000–$2,500 is normal for a 1/2–1 HP pump by every source; over $2,821, ask why. Compare the “typical range” column only (type rows mix installed and pump-only prices).
| Cost piece | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pump unit alone | $150–$1,700 | HomeGuide (2025-08-07) |
| Pump unit alone | $200–$500 | This Old House (2026-03-05) |
| Installation labor | $250–$1,000; $45–$150 per hour | HomeAdvisor (2026-06-17) |
| Plumbing labor to install a well pump | $250–$800; over $1,000 for difficult jobs | HomeGuide (2025-08-07) |
| Electrician, if wiring is redone | $50–$130 per hour | HomeGuide (2025-08-07) |
| House call fee | $100–$150 minimum; usually covers the first 1–2 hours | HomeAdvisor repair page (2026-06-19) |
| Permit (where required) | $50–$200 | HomeAdvisor (2026-06-17) |
| Pressure tank, if replaced at the same time | $800–$3,800 (HomeAdvisor) · $500–$1,000 (HomeGuide) · $750–$4,000 (Forbes) | as listed |
Labor is a quarter to half of the bill. A job takes 3–6 hours (HomeGuide).
Ask about what pushes a quote up: pump depth; a change of pump type; whether the puller truck is included; new drop pipe and wire (how many feet, what price?); after-hours rates (usually double, $50/hr vs $100/hr, HomeAdvisor repair page); and whether a new tank’s old air charge was tested first.
Check cheap parts first
Full steps: well pump troubleshooting guide.
| Symptom | Check first | Part price (2026-10-05) | If that’s fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| No water at all | Breaker or fuse; pressure switch not closing | Pressure switch $25.95 | Control box, wiring, then pump |
| Pump won’t start, 3-wire system | Control box and start capacitor | Capacitor $76.00; control box $138.40 | Motor or cable tests before pulling |
| Pump turns on and off every few seconds | Tank air charge: 2 psi below cut-in, e.g. 28 psi on a 30/50 switch (Red Lion) | $0 (tire gauge) | Pressure switch, check valve, leaks |
| Pump runs and won’t shut off | Pressure switch contacts and setting | $25.95 | Leak in drop pipe, low well level, worn pump |
| Low pressure, jet pump | Prime, suction leaks, clogged foot valve | No price found yet | Worn impeller, well drawdown |
A 2-wire pump has no control box (its start switch is in the motor).
See also: no water from well · how to prime a well pump · pressure switch settings.
Retail prices: pumps and parts
List prices, 2026-10-05. The same class of pump varies about 3.6 times.
Submersible pumps, 4-inch, pump and motor (230 V, 2-wire unless noted)
| Pump | HP, flow | Retailer | Price (2026-10-05) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lion RL12G05-2W2V | 1/2 HP, 12 GPM | PlumbersStock | $411.78 (list $785.00) |
| Goulds CS series | 1/2 HP, 10 GPM | HHPAC | $425.00, sold out |
| CountyLine (Tractor Supply house brand) | 1/2 HP, 13.2 GPM | Tractor Supply | $569.99 |
| Goulds 10CS05412 | 1/2 HP, 10 GPM (no other specs) | The Pump Warehouse | $747.00 (list $1,067.00) |
| Goulds 10CS05422C | 1/2 HP, 10 GPM | AquaScience | $1,367.00 |
| Franklin Electric 10FV05S4-2W230 (Series V) | 1/2 HP, 10 GPM | R.C. Worst | $1,479.20 |
| Red Lion RL12G10-2W2V | 1 HP, 12 GPM | PlumbersStock | $715.38 (list $1,240.00) |
Jet pump: CountyLine shallow well cast iron, 1/2 HP, 115/230 V, 8.5 GPM, 25 ft max depth to water, Tractor Supply $299.99.
| Part | Retailer | Part price (2026-10-05) | Installed (cost guides) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square D 9013FSG2J21 pressure switch, 30/50 psi | PexUniverse | $25.95 | $120–$175 (HomeAdvisor) · $150–$200 (HomeGuide repair page) |
| Franklin 1/2 HP start capacitor (for 1/2 HP QD control box) | The Pump Warehouse | $76.00 (3/4 HP version $85.00) | $100–$150 (HomeAdvisor) · $150–$300 (HomeGuide repair page) |
| Franklin QD control box 2801054915, 1/2 HP, 230 V, 3-wire | Zoro (listed under Little Giant, a Franklin brand) | $138.40 | $200–$500 (HomeAdvisor) · $300–$600 (HomeGuide repair page) |
| Franklin QD control box, 1 HP, 230 V, 3-wire | The Pump Warehouse | $139.00 | — |
Ask for these tests before the pump is pulled
Franklin lists tests to “complete before removing the motor from the well”. Ask the installer for the readings:
- Line voltage: within ±10% of the motor nameplate.
- Amps on each motor lead, against the motor spec table.
- Insulation resistance, each lead to ground, 500 V megohmmeter, breaker open:
| Reading (motor plus cable, in the well) | Franklin’s meaning |
|---|---|
| 2.0 megohms or more | New motor |
| 0.5–2.0 megohms | Motor in good condition |
| Less than 0.5 megohms | Insulation damage: locate and repair |
- Winding resistance, line to line. Low: shorted winding. High: open winding, open cable or bad splice.
A low reading can be the cable; a bad capacitor shows as odd amps. Neither needs a new pump. Franklin: a capacitor “may test good” on an ohmmeter and still be weak.
Warranty covers the pump, not the labor
- Goulds jet pumps (IM102R13): 1 year from install or 18 months from the date code, whichever is first. The seller is “not obligated to remove or pay for the removal” of the failed product or to install the new one.
- Red Lion RL submersibles (106720101 Rev. 003): 3 years from purchase; void if anyone but an authorized reseller takes it apart.
- Franklin (AIM manual, no period stated): covered only with a Franklin control box on a Franklin motor; a 3-wire motor without the correct box can fail and voids the warranty.
Even a free pump means paying for pulling and reinstalling. Keep the receipt.
DIY or hire a pro
| Job | DIY? |
|---|---|
| Reset breaker, read pressure gauge, check tank air (power off, drain, tire gauge on the air valve) | Yes |
| Replace a pressure switch | Experienced DIYer only, power off and verified dead |
| Replace a control box capacitor | Usually pro: tests need power on; capacitors hold a charge |
| Swap an above-ground jet pump like-for-like | Plumbing yes; wiring by a qualified technician per the NEC (Goulds). Re-prime after. |
| Pull and replace a submersible | Pro: hundreds of feet of pipe and wire, over 100 lb. HomeAdvisor and This Old House say not DIY. |
| Change pump size or type | Pro. Check the numbers with the well pump size calculator. |
Repair or replace? Pumps last 10–15 years (HomeGuide), 8–15 (HomeGuide repair page), about 15 (HomeAdvisor repair page). HomeGuide: replace a 10–15-year-old pump that keeps needing repairs; repair if the fix is under 50% of a new one. Rapid cycling shortens life; Franklin’s limit is 300 starts per 24 hours for single-phase motors up to 3/4 HP, 100 for 1 HP and up.
Also: well pump wire size calculator · pressure tank size calculator.
FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a well pump? Four national guides say $900 to $2,821, averaging $1,750 to $1,897. Most jobs land at $1,000–$2,500. Constant-pressure systems cost $2,000–$5,000.
Can I replace a well pump myself? An above-ground jet pump, yes, if a qualified person wires it and you re-prime it. A submersible is pulled up the well, often with a truck. Hire a pro.
Is it the pump or the pressure switch? Check the switch first. A bad switch can stop the pump starting or stopping, and a new one is about $26.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, “How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pump?” (updated 2026-06-17)
- HomeAdvisor, “How Much Does Well Pump Repair Cost?” (updated 2026-06-19)
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does a Well Pump Cost To Replace or Install?” (2025-08-07)
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does Well Pump Repair Cost?” (2025-08-06)
- Forbes Home, “How Much Does Well Pump Installation And Replacement Cost?” (audited & verified 2024-10-31)
- This Old House, “Well Pump Cost and Installation Guide” (updated 2026-03-05)
- Franklin Electric, AIM Manual 60 Hz Submersible Systems, 2026 edition (M1311 06-26) — Frequency of Starts p.4; 2-Wire Motor Solid State Controls p.11; 3-Wire Control Boxes (warranty note) p.12; System Troubleshooting p.26; Preliminary Tests and Insulation Resistance Readings p.28; Winding Resistance p.29; Control Box Checks p.31; Motor Specifications from p.39
- Goulds Water Technology (Xylem), Jet Pumps Instruction Manual IM102R13 (June 2025), electrical note p.2, troubleshooting and limited warranty p.12
- Red Lion (Franklin Electric), 4-inch Deep Well Submersible Pump Owner’s Manual, 106720101 Rev. 003 (01/23), warranty and installation notes p.1
- Red Lion, Troubleshooting Guide (pressure tank pre-charge p.58; 4” submersible table pp.59–60)
- Water Systems Council, wellcare® information sheet “Pressure Tank Pre-charge
- Retail product pages (prices checked 2026-10-05) — PlumbersStock, Tractor Supply, R.C. Worst, The Pump Warehouse, AquaScience, PexUniverse, Zoro
All sources checked 2026-10-05.
Method: we set the four cost guides side by side, each with its own date, and kept their figures separate instead of averaging them. We priced the same class of pump and the common small parts at retailers on 2026-10-05, and pulled the pre-pull tests, start limits and warranty terms from the manufacturer manuals into checklists and tables. Page references are in the sources above. We have not collected contractor quotes or replaced a pump ourselves.
Editorial note: This page was researched and fact-checked by the County Road Home team against the manufacturer documents and public sources listed above. AI tools assisted with drafting; every number was checked by an editor before publishing. We are not licensed well contractors or electricians. For electrical work, use a licensed professional. Found an error? Email hello@countyroadhome.com. Last checked: 2026-10-05.