Well, how long it takes to drill a well, that’s a good question. You know, it ain’t like bakin’ a pie, it takes some time. Some folks think it’s a quick job, but it ain’t. It all depends, you see.
First off, gotta figure out where you gonna put the darn thing. That’s the site preparation, they call it. Takes a day or two, maybe more if the ground’s stubborn. Gotta clear the land, make sure it’s level, and all that. You know, like gettin’ the garden ready, but bigger.

- Site preparation: 1-2 days, sometimes more.
- Drilling: Few days to a few weeks.
- Completion and testing: Days to a month.
Then comes the drillin’. That’s the real work. Now, how long that takes, well, that’s the million-dollar question. It could be just a couple of days if you’re lucky and the water ain’t too deep. But if you gotta go down deep, real deep, like three hundred feet or more, then it could take you weeks. Weeks, I tell ya! It’s like diggin’ a hole to China, but for water.
Some folks say it takes about 10 to 15 days just for the drillin’ part. That’s for them borehole thingies, they say. But that’s just the drillin’, mind you. There’s more to it than just makin’ a hole in the ground. Gotta put in them pipes and wires, and then you gotta test the water to make sure it ain’t gonna make you sick. That takes time too.
They got these fancy drillin’ machines now, makes it go faster, they say. But still, it ain’t no overnight thing. And the deeper you go, the longer it takes. It’s common sense, really. Diggin’ a little hole is quicker than diggin’ a big one.
Now, after the drillin’ is done, you gotta finish it up. That’s what they call completion. Gotta put in the pump, and the casing, and all them other thingamajigs. And then, like I said, you gotta test the water. Make sure it’s clean and safe to drink. That can take a few days, or even a whole month, they say. It’s important though, you don’t want to be drinkin’ no bad water, that’s for sure.
So, you see, it’s hard to say exactly how long it’ll take. Could be a few days, could be a few weeks, could even be a month or more. It depends on how deep you gotta go, what kinda ground you’re diggin’ in, and how fast them fellas with the drillin’ machine work. And don’t forget about the testin’, that’s important too.
So, if someone tells you they can drill a well in a day, well, they’re probably pullin’ your leg. It just ain’t that simple. It’s a process, a whole rigmarole. But in the end, it’s worth it, havin’ your own water, right there on your property. Nothin’ like it, I tell ya.

Think of it like this, plantin’ a seed. You plant it, and you gotta wait for it to grow. Same with a well. You drill it, and you gotta wait for it to be ready. Patience is a virtue, they say. And when it comes to drillin’ a well, you definitely need some patience.
Some say shallow water wells take a couple of days, maybe a few days. These shallow wells probably don’t need as much work or testing. Oil and gas wells, well that’s another story. They take longer and those are much deeper than water wells. You just worry about your water well! It’s quicker than oil and gas wells at least.
So, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ a well, plan ahead. Don’t expect it to happen overnight. And make sure you hire someone who knows what they’re doin’. Don’t go skimpin’ on somethin’ as important as your water. That’s my two cents, anyway.
And remember, while the drillin’ itself might not take that long, the whole process, from start to finish, that’s what takes the time. From gettin’ the site ready, to drillin’ the hole, to puttin’ in the pump and pipes, to testin’ the water… it all adds up. So, be patient, and don’t rush it. You want it done right, don’t ya? Of course, you do.