Typical installed ranges
This Old House puts a full pump replacement at 900 to 2,500 dollars, depending on pump type, well depth and how hard the install is. Bob Vila gives an average of 1,785 dollars with a typical range of 942 to 2,629 dollars. The two guides agree closely, which is a good sign, but both are national.
| Pump type | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow jet pump | 100 to 500 dollars for the unit | Bob Vila. Sits above ground, suits wells under about 25 feet. |
| Deep-well jet pump | about 300 dollars for the unit; 675 to 745 dollars in another guide | Two guides, two figures. Used for wells beyond 25 feet. |
| Submersible pump | 250 to 1,200 dollars for the unit | Bob Vila. Add 250 to 2,500 dollars if new drop pipe is needed. |
| Constant-pressure system | 2,000 to 5,000 dollars | Bob Vila. Smooths pressure but costs more up front. |
| Labor to replace | 250 to 800 dollars, up to 1,000 on hard jobs | Bob Vila. An average job takes about six hours. |
Why a deep well costs more to service
A submersible pump hangs on a pipe at the bottom of the well, often 200 to 300 feet or more down according to This Old House. Pulling it means lifting every joint of pipe and the electric cable. Some pumps weigh over 100 pounds, and long runs of pipe may need lifting equipment. Wells in the Gulf Coast aquifer near Conroe commonly need submersibles, so expect the upper half of the ranges to be realistic for deeper sets.
The pump is often the smaller part of the bill. Ask whether the quote also covers the check valve, the torque arrester, splices in the cable, and the pressure switch. If the pipe is old, replacing it while it is out of the well costs less than pulling the pump a second time.
Repair or replace, by the numbers
Bob Vila lists well pump repairs at 300 to 1,300 dollars and gives an average pump life of about 15 years. Duty cycle, motor quality, sediment and the depth of the water table all move that number. This Old House notes that frequent on-and-off cycling strains the motor and shortens its life, which is why a failing pressure tank is worth checking before you buy a pump.
If your system is a few years old and the symptom is a tripped breaker or a dead switch, a repair is the likelier answer. If the pump is near 15 years and already out of the well, replacing it is the more common call. The pump repair and replacement page explains how a provider tells the two apart, and the pump-not-working checklist lists what to look at first.
The Montgomery County step: district authorization
In Montgomery County, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District rules (effective January 1, 2026) say no one may replace a well or alter a well or pump without first getting authorization from the district. The rules define altering a pump to include replacing it to keep the same pumping rate, as well as changing its horsepower to increase the rate. Raising the pumping capacity of an exempt well can end its exempt status.
The rules also say that when a pump is removed from a well, the well must be set up so a water-level measuring device can be installed. A provider who works in the county will know this. Ask them how they handle the district notice before the pump comes out, and who files it.
The rules include an emergency route, but they define an emergency as a threat to life or public health, so do not assume a dry tap qualifies. Read the permits and registration guide for the full picture, and call the district at 936-494-3436 if the installer is unsure.
Questions that make quotes comparable
- What pump brand, horsepower and flow rate are you quoting, and what depth will it be set at?
- Is the drop pipe, wire and check valve reused or replaced, and what does each choice cost?
- Does the price include the district paperwork and the well report?
- What warranty covers parts and labor, in writing, and who honors it?
- Will you test the old pump and tell me why it failed?
Common questions
Should I replace the pressure tank at the same time?
Not automatically. If the tank is waterlogged or short-cycling, it will wear out the new pump, so have it checked. A sound tank can stay. The pressure tank guide covers the cost side.
Does a shallow-well jet pump cost less to replace?
Yes. The unit is cheaper and sits above ground, so there is no pipe to pull from the well. The tradeoff is that jet pumps suit shallower wells than most Conroe-area wells use.
Why did one quote come in at double the other?
Look for what is bundled in: new pipe and wire, a new switch, a constant-pressure controller, or district paperwork. Ask each provider to list the parts.