How Long Does It Take to Drill a Water Well?
Quick Answer
Drilling a residential well takes 1–3 days on site. The full project from first call to water in the house typically runs 2–6 weeks.
The drilling rig itself is on site for 1–3 days for most North Texas residential wells. But from the day you call a contractor to the day water is flowing in your house, plan for 2–6 weeks — most of that time is permit processing, contractor scheduling, and post-drilling pump installation.
The Well Drilling Timeline, Phase by Phase
Phase 1: Contractor Selection and Site Assessment (1–5 days)
Before any drilling happens, a contractor visits the property to assess rig access, identify the best well location, and provide a written quote. This site visit is typically free and takes 1–2 hours. Getting quotes from 2–3 contractors adds a few days to the schedule but is worth it for a project this size.
Phase 2: Permit Application (2–10 business days in GCD counties)
Well permits are required in most North Texas counties. The contractor pulls the permit on your behalf:
| County/GCD | Permit Required | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| North Texas GCD (Collin, Cooke, Denton) | Yes | 3–7 business days |
| Upper Trinity GCD (Wise, Parker, Hood) | Yes | 3–7 business days |
| Prairielands GCD (Johnson, Ellis, Somervell) | Yes | 5–10 business days |
| Northern Trinity GCD (Tarrant) | Yes | 3–7 business days |
| No GCD (Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, etc.) | TDLR only — no pre-drill permit | 0 days |
Phase 3: Rig Scheduling (1–4 weeks)
In busy seasons (March–June), contractors may have a 2–4 week queue for residential drilling jobs. Winter months typically offer shorter wait times. This is often the longest phase of the project and is beyond anyone’s control.
Phase 4: Drilling and Casing (1–3 days on site)
Once the rig arrives, drilling proceeds continuously until target depth is reached. The rig crew then runs casing and cement grouting. Most residential wells drill at 50–150 feet per hour in soft formation and 10–30 feet per hour in hard limestone — the variance explains the 1–3 day range.
Phase 5: Pump Installation and Connection (1–2 days)
After drilling, the pump is set, drop pipe and submersible cable are run, and the wellhead and pitless adapter are installed. Pressure tank, electrical wiring, and plumbing connection to the house add 4–8 hours.
Phase 6: Water Testing (5–10 days including lab)
A water sample is collected and sent to a certified lab. Standard bacteria/coliform results take 2–5 business days. The contractor or your health department will advise on re-testing if any results come back above threshold levels.
What Can Cause Delays
- Rig scheduling backlog (peak season)
- Slow GCD permit processing
- Unexpected hard rock requiring a slower drilling approach
- Wet ground preventing rig access (North Texas clay soils can hold water for days after rain)
- Water testing requiring a second round
Planning for a Real Estate Transaction
If you’re drilling a well as part of a property purchase or new construction, build in 6–8 weeks from contract to completion as your planning buffer. Communicate the timeline to your closing attorney and lender early — most lenders and title companies can accommodate well drilling in a purchase, but they need adequate notice.