Well Pump Repair
Before you pay to repair a well pump, find out whether the pump is actually the problem. A lot of no-water and low-pressure calls end with a new pressure switch, capacitor, control box or pressure tank, and HomeGuide puts typical well pump repair at $300 to $600. A submersible that has truly failed down the well is usually replaced rather than rebuilt.
What can be repaired, and what gets replaced
| Part | Where it is | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure switch | On the tank tee or pump | Replaced; cheap and quick |
| Pressure gauge | Tank tee | Replaced |
| Start capacitor and relay | Control box (three-wire submersibles) | Replaced individually or as a box |
| Pressure tank | Next to the switch | Recharged if it only lost air; replaced if the bladder failed |
| Check valve or foot valve | In the line or at the bottom of the suction pipe | Replaced |
| Jet pump seal, impeller or motor | Above ground | Often repaired on a jet pump |
| Submersible pump end or motor | Down the well | Usually replaced with a new unit once pulled |
The rule of thumb: everything above ground is repairable and fairly cheap. Once a submersible has to come up, most contractors replace it rather than rebuild it, because the labor of pulling it is the big cost.
Likely causes, cheapest to check first
Cause 1: Power and the pressure switch
Franklin Electric's troubleshooting chart puts no or incorrect voltage, blown fuses, tripped breakers and a damaged pressure switch at the top of its list for a motor that won't start. Check the breaker. Then, with the power off, look inside the pressure switch for burnt or pitted contacts and a clogged sensing tube. See pressure switch troubleshooting.
Cause 2: Control box, capacitor or relay
On three-wire submersibles, the starting parts live in the control box. A failed capacitor or relay makes the pump hum, click or trip its overload. Franklin lists the control box as a cause in its won't-start, overload-trip and runs-continuously rows. Our control box and capacitor page covers how a pro tests it.
Cause 3: Pressure tank
A waterlogged tank makes the pump start every time a tap opens. Franklin lists it as a cause of a motor that starts too often. A short cycling pump will wear out its switch, capacitor and motor fast, so this one's worth fixing early. See well pressure tank problems.
Cause 4: Leaks and check valves
A check valve stuck open or a leak in the system makes the pump start too often, and a leak in the drop pipe or the house plumbing can keep it running. Walk the house and yard for wet spots, and watch the gauge with every tap closed. If pressure drops with nothing running, water is going somewhere.
Cause 5: The pump or motor itself
A worn pump, a loose coupling, a broken shaft, a blocked screen or low water in the well all show up as a pump that runs and runs without building pressure. These are the problems that mean pulling the pump.
How to fix a well pump yourself, as far as is safe
- Check the breaker. Reset a tripped one once; if it trips again, stop.
- Read the pressure gauge. Zero with the pump silent points to power or the switch. Low and the pump running points to the pump, the well or a leak.
- With the power off, open the pressure switch cover and look at the contacts. Pitted, black contacts mean a new switch.
- Drain the tank and check its air charge with a tire gauge.
- On a jet pump, check whether it has lost prime. Our priming guide covers it.
If those don't find it, the remaining checks happen inside the control box or down the well, and that's a call to a well contractor.
The pressure switch's little sensing tube or nipple clogs with sediment in iron and hard water areas. Replacing that nipple fixes more "dead pumps" than you'd think.
What well pump repair costs
HomeGuide's average range is $300 to $600, with jobs running from $150 up to $1,500 or more. HomeAdvisor's average is higher, at $974, with most jobs between $373 and $1,624.
| Repair | HomeGuide | HomeAdvisor |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure switch | $150 to $200 | $120 to $175 |
| Pressure gauge | $150 to $200 | $100 to $175 |
| Motor start capacitor | $150 to $300 | $100 to $150 |
| Control box | $300 to $600 | $200 to $500 |
| Foot valve | $150 to $400 | $150 to $300 |
| Check valve | $150 to $200 | Not listed |
| Pressure tank replacement | $800 to $1,500 | Not listed |
Labor is a big share of the bill. HomeGuide puts licensed plumbers at $75 to $150 an hour, and a two-person well crew at $150 to $300 an hour. HomeAdvisor says weekend and after-hours rates usually double. If the pump has to come up, Angi puts the labor alone at $250 to $1,000.
Repair or replace
HomeGuide's guidance is to replace a pump that's 10 to 15 years old and has needed several repairs, and to repair when the fix costs less than half of a replacement. HomeGuide puts replacement at $1,000 to $2,500 or more, and HomeAdvisor's 2025 average is $1,897.
A good contractor will tell you the pump's age and condition before quoting. If the pump is already out of the well, replacing an old one costs less than pulling it twice. More on well pump replacement and replacement cost.
How to pick a well pump contractor
- Hire a licensed well or pump installer. Many states license well contractors separately from plumbers. Check with your state's licensing board.
- Ask about the diagnosis fee. HomeGuide notes that most companies charge a service call fee, and some apply it to the repair.
- Ask what they tested. A good tech checks voltage, amp draw and the motor's winding resistance before condemning a submersible. Franklin's manual lays out those tests.
- Get the parts and labor in writing, along with the warranty on both.
- Ask about after-hours rates before you agree to a weekend call.
FAQ
Can a well water pump be repaired?
Often, yes. Pressure switches, capacitors, control boxes, valves and jet pump seals are all routine repairs. A submersible that has failed down the well is usually replaced instead, since pulling it is most of the cost.
What is the average cost of a well pump repair?
HomeGuide's range is $300 to $600 on average. HomeAdvisor's average is $974. The part, the depth of the pump and after-hours rates move the price most.
What are the common problems with well water pumps?
Franklin Electric's troubleshooting chart lists tripped breakers, failed pressure switches, control box faults, waterlogged tanks and leaks, along with worn pumps, broken couplings and low water in the well. The pump-and-well causes cost more to fix.
What is the average lifespan of a well pump?
HomeGuide puts it at 8 to 15 years, with submersibles often lasting longer than jet pumps. See how long well pumps last for the details.
Sources
- HomeGuideHow Much Does Well Pump Repair Cost? (opens in a new tab)
- HomeAdvisorHow Much Does It Cost to Repair a Well Pump? (opens in a new tab)
- Franklin Electric (copy hosted by Nebraska DWEE)Application, Installation, Maintenance (AIM) Manual: Submersible Systems, 60 Hz (opens in a new tab)
- HomeAdvisorHow Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pump? (opens in a new tab)
- AngiHow to Pull a Well Pump (opens in a new tab)
- HomeGuideHow Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pressure Tank? (opens in a new tab)