How Long Does It Take to Drill a Well?

Drilling a residential well typically takes 1 to 3 days for the actual drilling work. But from the first permit application to water flowing through your tap, the full process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. The biggest variables are local geology, well depth, and how long permits take in your county.

→ Learn more about water well drilling services from McCandless Well Drilling

How Long Does the Drilling Itself Take?

The physical drilling is usually the fastest part of the entire project. A professional drill rig can penetrate 30 to 50 feet of rock per hour under good conditions. For a typical residential well that runs 100 to 300 feet deep, the drilling is often done in a single day.

Here is what happens on drilling day:

• The rig is set up and positioned at the target location
• Drilling begins with steel casing installed as the hole deepens
• The driller monitors for water-bearing zones called aquifers
• Once a strong enough water yield is reached, drilling stops and the well is capped

That said, the drilling day is just one step in a longer process.

What Is the Full Well Project Timeline?

Step 1 — Site Visit and Permits (1–2 Weeks)

Before any drilling starts, your driller needs to assess the property and pull the required permits. In both New York and Pennsylvania, a permit is required before a new well can be drilled. This alone can add one to two weeks to your schedule — sometimes more during peak spring and summer season.

During this phase, the driller evaluates:

• Expected depth to water based on local geology
• Where the well should be placed (setback rules from septic systems and property lines)
• Any site access issues for the drill rig

If you are in Chautauqua County, permit timelines vary by township, so starting early is always the right move.

Step 2 — Drilling (1–3 Days)

This is the main event. Most residential wells in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania are drilled in one to three days. Exact timing depends on:

• Depth required — Shallow wells under 100 feet are faster. Wells exceeding 300 feet take longer.
• Rock hardness — Softer shale drills faster than the hard fractured bedrock found in parts of Chautauqua, Erie, and Warren counties.
• Equipment type — McCandless uses cable tool drilling, which is especially well-suited to the bedrock geology of this region.
• Unexpected obstacles — Boulders or dry holes require extra time and sometimes a new location.

Step 3 — Well Development (Same Day or Next Day)

Once drilling is complete, the well is “developed” — meaning it is pumped and surged to flush out drilling sediment and fine particles. This step takes a few hours but is critical. Skip it and you will have gritty, cloudy water for weeks.

Step 4 — Pump Installation (1–2 Days)

Next, a submersible pump is lowered into the well, electrical connections are made, and a pressure tank and control box are installed. This is typically a one-day job, though parts and scheduling can push it to two days.

Step 5 — Water Testing (3–10 Days)

This is the step that surprises most homeowners. You cannot drink the water right after drilling. A new well must be tested for bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants before it goes into service. Samples go to a certified lab, and results typically come back in three to seven business days.

McCandless offers water testing services and walks you through what the results mean. If anything comes back elevated — iron, hardness, bacteria — treatment equipment like a water softener or filtration system may need to be added before the well is fully in service.

Step 6 — Final Inspection and Sign-Off

Some counties require a final inspection before permanent service begins. Your licensed driller handles this paperwork as part of the project.

What Can Slow Down a Well Drilling Project?

Even well-planned projects hit delays. The most common ones are:

• Permit backlogs — Especially in spring and summer when everyone is building
• Dry holes or low yield — Sometimes the first location does not hit adequate water and the rig must move
• Hard rock formation — Tough geology simply takes more drilling time, no matter how good the equipment
• Pump or part backorders — Certain pump sizes can have lead times of several days
• Heavy rain or site access issues — Large rigs cannot always get in after significant rainfall
• Water quality problems — If test results come back with issues, treatment equipment must be sourced and installed before use

If you have lost water suddenly and need help now, emergency well repair is a different track — most pump failures and pressure issues can be diagnosed and repaired far faster than drilling a new well.

Does the Time of Year Matter?

Yes, it does. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for well drillers in Western NY and NW PA. Homeowners building new homes, buying rural properties, or replacing aging wells all tend to call in the same window.

Scheduling a project in fall or early winter often means:

• Faster permit approvals
• Earlier drill dates with less wait time
• More flexibility in scheduling around your timeline

Winter drilling is absolutely possible — McCandless drills year-round — but frozen ground and access conditions can add a day or two depending on the site.

Full Well Drilling Timeline at a Glance

Phase	Estimated Time
Site visit + permits	1–2 weeks
Drilling	1–3 days
Well development	Same day or next day
Pump installation	1–2 days
Water testing (lab results)	3–10 days
Final inspection	Varies by county
Total (end-to-end)	2–4 weeks typical

For a deeper look at what goes into the cost side of the project, read our guide on how much it costs to drill a well in Western NY and NW PA.

For county-specific depth and cost context, see our well drilling guide for Chautauqua County.

Ready to Get Your Well Project Started?

McCandless Well Drilling and Services has been drilling wells across Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania since 1975. We handle the permits, keep you updated throughout the project, and make sure your water is clean and safe before we call the job done.

Contact Us for a Free Site Assessment → Or call us directly: (716) 666-3708

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drill a well on average?

For most homes in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, physical drilling takes 1 to 3 days. The full project — permits, pump installation, and water testing — typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish.

Can a well be drilled in a single day?

Yes. If site access is easy, geology is favorable, the well is not especially deep, and permits are already in place, drilling can be completed in one day. Well development and pump installation will still follow on the days after.

How deep does a well need to be?

It depends on where water sits in your local geology. In Chautauqua County and surrounding areas of WNY and NW PA, residential wells commonly range from 100 to 400+ feet deep. Our drillers know the local formation well and can give you a realistic depth estimate before work begins.

What happens if the first location does not hit water?

This is called a dry hole. It does happen, though an experienced local driller minimizes the risk through knowledge of regional geology. If the first location does not produce an adequate yield, a new location on the property is assessed and drilling starts again — adding time and some additional cost.

When can I use the water after drilling?

Not until water testing is complete and results are clean. This takes 3 to 10 days after drilling. The well is chlorinated and disinfected right after installation, but the CDC recommends testing new private wells before first use. You can review their private well guidance at cdc.gov/healthywater.

Does a deeper well take longer to drill?

Generally, yes — a 400-foot well takes longer than a 150-foot well. But rock hardness has just as much impact as depth. A shallow well through solid granite can take as long as a deeper well through softer shale.

Do I need a permit to drill on my own property in NY or PA?

Yes. Both New York and Pennsylvania require a permit before drilling a new well. Your licensed driller files this paperwork as part of the project. Drilling without a permit is illegal and creates title problems when you go to sell the property.

Key Takeaways

• Drilling itself: 1–3 days for most residential wells
• Full project timeline: 2–4 weeks from permit to clean water
• Biggest time factors: permits, rock hardness, depth, and water testing
• Don’t skip testing: Lab results take 3–10 days and are required before use
• Book early: Spring/summer = the busiest season; fall/winter = faster scheduling
• Emergency repairs are handled on a faster track — call us if you’ve lost water