Borewell drilling: how to order it and not overpay
Shallow or deep: where to start
Water wells come in different kinds. A shallow borewell is drilled to a modest depth, is cheaper and faster, but the yield is lower and the water more often needs filtering. A deep borewell goes further down, gives a steadier supply, but costs more and takes longer.
The easiest thing is to ask your neighbours: they know at what depth they hit water and what quality it is. Put it in your request, because the whole estimate depends on it.
What to put in your request
- Type of borewell — shallow, deep or not decided yet.
- Village or town — depth and soil type depend on it.
- Depth — go by the neighbouring borewells.
- Casing pipe — PVC or metal, and the diameter.
- Finishing — drilling only, or with a pump, a wellhead cover and connection to the house.
- Purpose — for how many people, whether it is also for the garden and animals.
- Access for the rig, timing and budget.
Example: “Near Tauranga, a village plot. I need a shallow borewell, neighbours hit water at about 100 ft. PVC casing 125 mm, finished turnkey with a pump and wellhead cover. Water for a house of 4 people, there is access for the rig. To be done by the end of the month.”
How the search for a drilling crew works
You write your request on BlaBlaPrice once, and drilling companies and crews in your region reply in chat: the price per foot or for the whole package, what is included, when they can come. They see where their offer stands, so they compete on terms. You see the reviews of each.
Your phone stays hidden until you choose a provider. Details are on the page How it works.
How to compare offers
Drillers often quote a price per foot drilled, but the total has several parts. Check whether these are counted:
- casing pipes and the filter: usually charged separately from the drilling itself;
- the wellhead finishing: a cover or cap;
- the pump and connection to the house;
- flushing the borewell after drilling;
- water and electricity the crew needs on the plot;
- a water test, if needed.
Also ask about the guarantee and what happens if there is no water at the stated depth.
Season, water and common mistakes
You can drill almost all year, but in the rainy season waterlogged ground may not carry a heavy rig, and in peak summer everyone books at once. If you're not in a hurry, agree a date in advance and you will have more dates to choose from. After the work, have the water tested: it may contain iron or other minerals, and then you will need filtration.
A common mistake is to save on the casing pipe or the filter: the borewell silts up quickly and gives less water. Another is not checking where on the plot drilling is possible, since the rig needs space and distance from buildings. A third is not agreeing who clears the slurry and soil after the job. Also ask the provider whether any local permission or groundwater rules apply in your area.
If the water must be brought into the house, see plumbing and utilities, and for general building turnkey construction.
