You found the perfect slice of heaven for your modular home. Amazing views, a private pond, and everything you need to enjoy the outdoors all day.
But then it hits you: How am I going to take a shower after spending all day outside?
Especially when you’re practically in the middle of nowhere.
If connecting your home to municipal water and sewer isn’t an option, it may be time to start thinking about a well.
Knowing where to start can feel pretty overwhelming, especially when you’re already juggling everything that comes with a new home project. That’s why we put together this guide to help you understand the basics and find your starting point for getting a well on the property of your future modular home.
What is the average cost to dig a well?
Generally speaking, drilling a well may cost around $9,000 for a 150-foot well. Your actual cost can vary depending on where you’re building, the ground conditions, and how deep your well needs to go.
Most well drillers have a standard depth included in their base price. If your property requires them to drill deeper than that, you’ll typically pay an additional cost per foot. Because of this, it’s a good idea to ask your well driller what depth is included in their quote and how much additional depth will cost before getting started.
Does all raw land require me to use a well?
No, not all raw land requires a well. It really depends on where your property is located and how remote it is.
In many cases, truly raw land won’t have access to municipal water or sewer connections. If your property is outside of those service areas, you’ll need to consider options like a private well for your water supply and a septic system for wastewater.
The good news is, this is something you can figure out early in the process. Before moving forward with your modular home, check what utility options are available on your property and what your local requirements are.
If my property has a well in place, can I later connect to municipal utilities?
This one can be a little tricky because the answer may depend on your local municipal code. In theory, yes, you can have both a private well and a municipal water connection. However, the two systems cannot be connected to the same plumbing.
The reason for keeping the systems separate is simple: it helps protect the public water supply as well as your private supply. If something were to go wrong with either system, you wouldn’t want that water flowing back into the other respective system causing issues for yourself or issues for your community.
Depending on your local regulations, you may still be able to keep a well for backup water, gardening, an outbuilding,, or another separate use. The key is making sure your well and municipal water systems remain properly separated.
That said, if municipal water is already available on your property, connecting to it will usually be more cost-effective than drilling and maintaining your own private well.
How Do I know If My land is suitable for a well?
In theory, you can drill a well on almost any type of land. The bigger question is how deep you’ll need to drill and how much you’re willing to spend.
For example, a midrange cost to drill a well can be around $45 per foot beyond the minimum drilling depth. Depending on the property and how deep you need to go, those costs can add up quickly. In some cases, you could end up spending tens of thousands of dollars just to get a well drilled on the property you want.
That’s why it’s important to research the expected well depth and local drilling costs before purchasing land.
Can I use an existing well on the property for my Modular home?
Yes, you can use an existing well if one is already on your modular home’s property. Before relying on it for your home’s water supply, however, it’s a good idea to have the well inspected by a qualified professional.
You should also ask the current landowner for any available paperwork or records related to the well. These records can give you a better understanding of its history, including its age, depth, water yield, and any previous issues.
Taking these steps upfront can help you determine whether the existing well is suitable for your new modular home and avoid potential surprises later in the building process.
Can I build a Modular home on a property that has an Existing Well?
Yes, you can build a modular home on a property that already has a well. In fact, knowing where that well is located early in the planning process can help you determine the best place for your home and, just as importantly, your septic system.
Your well, septic system, home, and other site features may all need to meet local setback requirements. Knowing the location of an existing well before you start planning can help you avoid layout issues and make the process of preparing your property a little smoother.
Do I need a permit to have a well dug?
Yes, you will typically need a permit before having a well drilled. Nobody gets excited about permits, but this is one of those steps that can save you a major headache later.
If you are buying land, especially somewhere you are unfamiliar with, give your local municipality a call before you commit. Ask about well requirements, where the well can be located, how it needs to be installed, and whether drilling is even permitted on the property.
Think about it this way: giving a call to find out what you can and cannot do and spending a few hundred dollars now on a permit is a whole lot better than spending $20,000 on a well, only to discover that you cannot legally use it. A little homework before you buy can save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.
Does well location affect where I can build my modular home?
Yes, to a certain extent. In most cases, there needs to be a certain amount of space between your home, well, and septic system. The exact requirements can vary depending on your local regulations and the layout of your property, but is usually a minimum of 5 feet.
In theory, you could place these systems as far apart as you wish, but there is a practical consideration to keep in mind: cost. The farther your home is from the well or septic system, the more plumbing, materials, and potentially pumping equipment you may need. Planning these locations carefully from the beginning can help you meet local requirements while also keeping your installation costs under control.
How far away does my well need to be from my septic area?
When planning the layout of your property, there are two important distances to keep in mind between your well and septic system. The septic tank must typically be at least 50 feet from the well, while the septic drainage field, or leach field, must typically be at least 100 feet away.
Keeping these distances in mind from the beginning can make planning your property much easier. By laying out your well, septic system, and modular home together, you can make the most of your property while still meeting local requirements.
How much space should be between the well and my modular home?
Typically, you will want your home to be about 5 to 10 feet away from the well. Keeping the well relatively close to your home can reduce the distance water needs to travel, which can help keep plumbing runs and installation costs down.
That said, every property is different, and local requirements can vary. Before deciding where to place your home and well, check with your local municipality to make sure you are meeting the required spacing.
Is there more than one way to dig a well?
Yes. When planning a well, two common drilling methods are auger and rotary. Auger drilling works well in softer soils and shallower groundwater, while rotary drilling can reach deeper water and work through harder rock. The right method depends on your property, ground conditions, groundwater depth, and local requirements. To understand which one fits your needs the best keep reading.
Boring (Auger)
Auger drilling is one way to create a well and reach groundwater on your property. A large, rotating drill called an auger works its way into the ground, pulling soil and loose material to the surface as it goes. Once the drill reaches a suitable water-bearing layer, the well can be finished with casing and other components that help protect your water supply.
Auger drilling can be a good option for properties with softer soil and relatively shallow groundwater. However, every property is different. Soil conditions, groundwater depth, and local requirements will all play a role in determining whether auger drilling is the right choice for your well.
Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling is one of the most common ways to create a well and reach groundwater. Instead of digging straight down with a large auger, a rotary drill uses a rotating drill bit to break through rock, soil, and other materials beneath the surface. Water or drilling fluid is often used to carry the broken material back up and help keep the hole stable as the well gets deeper.
Rotary drilling works well for properties with deeper groundwater or harder rock formations. It can reach significant depths and is often a good choice when other drilling methods may not be practical. The right method depends on your property, soil and rock conditions, local requirements, and where groundwater is located.
How Deep Do I Need To Dig My Well?
How deep your well needs to be depends on what your local municipality allows and what your property requires. If you are permitted to have a shallow well, you may only need to drill 25 to 50 feet. A deep well, on the other hand, may need to reach 100 to 500 feet or more to reach a suitable water source.
The right depth will ultimately depend on the groundwater conditions beneath your property and your local requirements. Before you start drilling, check with your municipality to understand what is required for your property.
However, beyond what your municipality will allow, it depends on how deep the water table is for well drilling.
Can I install my own well?
In some areas, you may be able to install your own well. In others, state or local regulations require you to hire a licensed well contractor. The rules can vary quite a bit depending on where you are building.
Even if DIY well installation is allowed, there are still requirements you will need to follow. These may include getting a permit, meeting minimum distances from your septic system and other potential sources of contamination, using the proper casing and sealing methods, and having the water tested before you use it.
Before you start digging, check with your local health department or state well authority to find out what is required where you are building. A well may seem like a simple part of getting your property ready for a home, but getting it right from the beginning can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches later.
Can I run my modular home on a sandpoint well?
No, in most cases, a modular home cannot rely on a sandpoint well as its primary water source. Sandpoint wells are designed to draw groundwater from relatively shallow depths, typically in areas with sandy soil, but they generally do not provide the same water supply as a deeper well.
That does not mean a sandpoint well has no place on your property. It can be a useful secondary well for things like watering plants or providing a backup water source in an emergency. If you plan to use it for drinking water, make sure you follow your local requirements for proper treatment and water testing.
As always, check with your local municipality to understand what type of well is permitted and what your home will need.
What is a well flow rate, and what is a quality flow rate for a well (Gallons per min)?
For a good well flow rate, you would ideally want to see somewhere between 5 and 10 gallons per minute.
A well flow rate tells you how many gallons of water your well can produce per minute. For example, if your well has a flow rate of 10 GPM, it can produce 10 gallons of water per minute to replenish the water being used from the well. This means that, as long as you are drawing less than 10 gallons per minute, you should not run your well dry, assuming you are not dealing with drought conditions.
Can my well run out of water?
Yes, your well can run out of water. However, it comes down to your water use and the depth of your well. Generally speaking, the deeper the well, the less likely it is that your well will run dry. Additionally, you could add a reservoir to your system to provide additional water storage when your well cannot keep up with your water use.
Do I need to have a water storage tank for my well?
It depends on the draw of the well. For example, if you have a well that meets the typical water needs of a family, you will not typically need a water storage tank unless you want one as an emergency backup. However, if you have a low-flowing well, having a water storage tank may be needed to keep up with your daily water usage.
What is a pressure tank, and do I need one for my well?
Yes, you need a pressure tank for your well system. A pressure tank helps maintain consistent water pressure throughout your home, so you can take a shower, wash the dishes, flush a toilet, or use a hose without your water pressure constantly changing.
The pressure tank also helps reduce how often your well pump needs to turn on, which can help extend the life of your pump.
Do I need to have electricity for my well?
If you intend to use your well to provide water for your entire modular home, yes, you will want an electrical system for your well. This is because the well pump uses electricity to move water from the well into your home. These pumps are able to move gallons of water per minute, rather than just a few ounces at a time.
What kind of backup electric system do I need for a well pump?
If you have a well, the well pump and pressure tank will generally run off of electricity. So, in the event of a power outage, you will also be without water. To address this, there are two main options. First would be to have a portable generator that can then be used to power the well pump and pressure tank; the other would be to have a manual well pump.
Do I need to tell my modular home builder that I will be using a well?
Yes, you should tell your modular home builder and general contractor that you plan to use a well. Letting your team know early can help them plan the project around your water source. This can help determine where your utility entry points should be, how to best lay out your land, and which areas may need to be avoided when using heavy equipment.
Planning for your well early can help prevent issues later and make sure your home, well, septic system, and other site features all work together.
When should my well be completed during the home-building process?
Your well should be built before you complete your home build, including the foundation. Having the well in place early allows you to plan the location of your home, foundation, septic system, and other site features around it. It can also help prevent issues later if heavy equipment or construction needs to access areas near the well.
Do I need a filtration System for the well at my modular home?
A well filtration system helps make sure the water coming into your home is clean, clear, and ready for everyday use. Unlike municipal water, water from a private well comes directly from the ground, so it can contain minerals, sediment, iron, or other impurities that affect the taste, smell, or quality of your water.
The right filtration system can help remove these unwanted materials before the water reaches your faucets, showers, and appliances. This can give you better-tasting water, help protect your plumbing and appliances, and make your well water more enjoyable to use every day.
The type of filtration system you need will depend on what is found in your well water, which is why having your water tested is an important first step.
Do I need a water softener with a well water system?
It depends on the hardness of your well water. A water softener does not make your drinking water safer. Instead, it helps reduce the minerals that cause hard water, which can improve the taste and feel of the water.
A water softener can also help reduce buildup in your plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. Whether you need one will depend on the results of your well water test and how hard your water is.
How often should I have my well water tested for safety?
According to the CDC, you should have your well water tested once a year. This ensures that the purification systems are doing their job and that no new issues have come up. Additionally this let’s you know if any new systems are available to treat any issues that have come up.
Who works on My Well if I run into issues?
If you need to have your well serviced or are having issues with your well, there are two trades you may need to call. The first would be a well pump specialist if the problem is with the well, pump, or anything up to the filtration system.
When it comes to the filtration system itself, you should have it reviewed by a trusted plumber or water service technician. They can help determine if the filtration system is working properly or if it needs to be serviced or replaced.
Conclusion…
Figuring out how to add a well to your property doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right expertise, you can give your home its own reliable water source and make sure your property is set up to meet your needs.
But before you start planning your well, contact us, and we will help you figure out what home will fit your needs best.
