Borehole Drilling Cost in 2026: Prices per Metre in 7 Countries (With Calculator)
The first question every client asks me is simple: how much does a borehole cost? The honest answer depends on three things, which are how deep you have to drill, what the rock is like, and which country you are drilling in.
I run drilling projects in Kenya every week, so this guide starts with real per metre rates from our own quotes. Then it compares published 2026 prices for Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, the UK and the United States, and gives you a calculator to budget your own hole.
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| Country | Typical 2026 rate | Approx. USD per metre | Typical depth | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | KES 6,500 to 6,900 per metre | $50 to $53 | 100 to 300 m | KES 0.8M to 2.3M drilled |
| Nigeria | ₦0.9M to ₦3.5M per hole | $11 to $23 (estimated) | 30 to 150 m | ₦0.9M to ₦3.5M installed |
| South Africa | R500 to R1,500 per metre | $30 to $91 | 30 to 150 m | R60,000 to R120,000 installed |
| Zimbabwe | US$38 to US$85 per metre | $38 to $85 | 40 to 100 m | US$2,000 to US$6,000 drilled |
| Ghana | GH₵15,000 to GH₵80,000 per hole | Not published | Shallow coast, deeper inland | GH₵15,000 to GH₵80,000 |
| United Kingdom | £50 to £100 per metre | $66 to $132 | 30 to 100 m | £10,000 to £20,000 all in |
| United States | $25 to $65 per foot | $82 to $213 | 100 to 400 ft | $3,000 to $9,000 drilled |
Notice that the rates do not all include the same things. Our Kenya rate includes casing, gravel packing, development and test pumping, while most UK and South African per metre figures cover the drilling and casing only, so always compare like with like.
Borehole Drilling Cost Calculator
Pick your country, enter the depth your survey suggests, and choose your ground conditions. The calculator uses the 2026 rates above and shows what the same hole would cost in each country.
Planning estimate only, based on the 2026 rates in the table below. Pump, tank, solar and plumbing are extra. Your hydrogeological survey and a written quote are what count.
Borehole Drilling Cost in Kenya (2026)
These are real figures from Bonvic Drilling quotes, not internet averages. In Machakos we charge KES 6,900 per metre, and that rate includes casing, test pumping, gravel packing, chemical analysis and development.
Rates move with the site. A 270 m borehole at Nkoben was quoted at KES 6,500 per metre, with surface casing at KES 5,000 per metre, and Loitokitok came in at KES 6,600 per metre because of the distance the rig had to travel.
| Kenya cost item | 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogeological survey | KES 50,000 | Required before permits and before drilling |
| Permits (County, NEMA, WRA) | KES 85,000 | Lump sum, we process them for the client |
| Drilling, casing, gravel pack, development and test pumping | KES 6,500 to 6,900 per metre | Depends on site, access and rock |
| Example: 320 m at Mua Hills | KES 2,304,000 | Quoted drilling total for a deep hard rock hole |
| Example: 130 m mud rotary in Malindi | KES 1,496,000 drilling | 216 mm hole, 153 mm casing; mud rotary costs more per metre |
| Solar pump equipping example (Kosele) | KES 1,200,000 | Pump, panels, controller, cable and tank stand |
Most boreholes around Nairobi, Machakos and Kajiado land between 150 and 300 m, so a realistic all in budget for drilling alone is KES 1.1M to 2.3M. Coastal and lake basin sites are often much shallower and cheaper.
One thing we do that clients appreciate is our dry borehole policy. If we do not strike adequate water, the client pays only part of the cost, which takes a lot of the fear out of the decision.
What a Borehole Budget Actually Pays For
Drilling gets all the attention, but it is only part of the bill. A submersible pump, cable, control box, pressure tank or storage tank and the plumbing to your house can cost as much as the hole itself, especially on deep wells.
Typical equipping items are a 4 inch submersible pump, a pressure tank or storage tank, submersible drop cable and a pitless adapter where frost is a concern. Off grid sites swap the mains pump for a solar submersible pump kit.
If you plan to run on solar, read my guide to solar submersible water pumps and run the numbers in the solar pump payback calculator before you sign a quote.
Borehole Drilling Cost in Nigeria
Nigerian prices are usually quoted per hole rather than per metre. Published 2026 guides put a motorized domestic borehole in soft ground at ₦900,000 to ₦1.5 million, rising to ₦2.5 million to ₦3.5 million for deep holes in hard rock.
| Nigeria borehole type | Typical depth | 2026 installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Manual or hand drilled (shallow) | 15 to 40 m | ₦120,000 to ₦500,000 |
| Motorized, soft soil (Lagos, the South) | 30 to 60 m | ₦900,000 to ₦1.5M |
| Motorized, mixed ground | 60 to 100 m | ₦1.5M to ₦2.5M |
| Deep, hard rock (Abuja, the North) | 100 to 150 m and more | ₦2.5M to ₦3.5M and more |
Lagos is cheaper because the sandy coastal ground drills fast and water is often reached at 40 to 60 m. Abuja and much of the North sit on granite, so holes go deeper and take longer.
Borehole Drilling Cost in South Africa
South African contractors quote between R500 and R1,500 per metre for drilling in 2026, with casing often priced separately at around R400 to R700 per metre. A complete domestic installation with pump usually lands between R60,000 and R120,000.
Pump installation alone typically adds R8,000 to R30,000 depending on depth and pump size. Larger boreholes for irrigation may also need a water use licence, so check with the Department of Water and Sanitation before you drill.
Borehole Drilling Cost in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe drillers quote in US dollars, at roughly US$38 to US$85 per metre installed in 2026. Harare and the granite areas sit at the upper end, while sites with softer ground can come in lower.
Budget separately for siting and ZINWA permits, and ask whether the price includes casing to full depth. A 60 m domestic hole typically works out to about US$2,300 to US$5,100 before the pump.
Borehole Drilling Cost in Ghana
Ghanaian prices are mostly advertised per hole, with published estimates ranging from about GH₵15,000 to GH₵80,000. Coastal areas tend to be shallow and cheap, while inland sites on harder rock need deeper and more expensive holes.
These Ghana figures are the least reliable in this guide, because there is very little current published data. Get at least three written quotes and ask each driller to state the depth, casing type and whether test pumping is included.
Borehole Drilling Cost in the UK
UK borehole drillers typically quote £50 to £100 per metre in 2026, plus a fixed mobilisation fee. Most domestic water boreholes are 30 to 100 m deep, so the drilling alone runs from about £1,500 to £10,000.
A complete installation with pump, headworks, treatment and commissioning usually costs £10,000 to £20,000. Drilling is roughly half of that, and the rest is equipment and water treatment.
Well Drilling Cost per Foot in the United States
In the US, wells are priced per foot. Most drillers charge $25 to $65 per foot ($82 to $213 per metre), with $25 to $35 per foot common for easy ground and $50 to $75 per foot for remote or rocky sites.
| US well depth | At $25 per foot | At $45 per foot | At $65 per foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft (30 m) | $2,500 | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| 200 ft (61 m) | $5,000 | $9,000 | $13,000 |
| 300 ft (91 m) | $7,500 | $13,500 | $19,500 |
| 400 ft (122 m) | $10,000 | $18,000 | $26,000 |
The average drilling bill is around $5,500, and most homeowners pay $3,000 to $9,000 for the hole. Add $900 to $2,500 for a pump, $300 to $500 for a pressure tank, and $200 to $500 for permits.
Cost per Metre Compared Side by Side
Labour, fuel and import duty on rigs and casing explain most of the gap between countries. Rock type explains most of the gap within a country.
7 Factors That Change Your Borehole Price
- Depth. It is the biggest single factor, because every metre costs money and deeper holes need bigger rigs and more casing.
- Geology. Hard granite and basalt drill slowly and wear out bits, while soft sediments drill fast but may need casing to full depth.
- Drilling method. Air hammer (DTH) suits hard rock, while mud rotary suits soft coastal formations, like our Malindi job.
- Casing type and diameter. uPVC is cheaper than steel, and a bigger diameter costs more but fits a bigger pump.
- Access and distance. Remote sites add rig mobilisation and fuel, which is why Loitokitok cost more per metre than Nkoben.
- Permits and surveys. Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe all regulate groundwater, and skipping approval can stop a project.
- Equipping. A solar or high head pump on a deep well is a major cost, so plan it together with the drilling.
How to Avoid Overpaying for a Borehole
- Start with a hydrogeological survey. It tells you the likely depth and the best spot to drill, which is the cheapest way to avoid a dry hole.
- Get at least three written quotes. Make sure each one lists the rate per metre, casing type, gravel pack, development and test pumping.
- Ask about dry hole terms. Find out exactly what you pay if no adequate water is found, before the rig arrives.
- Insist on a test pumping report. The yield and drawdown numbers decide which pump you can install.
- Test the water. A chemical and bacteria analysis tells you what treatment to budget for before you plumb the house.
Once your borehole is drilled, a good water level meter lets you check static level and drawdown yourself. It is one of the best small investments a borehole owner can make.
Water level meter (well sounder)
A tape with a probe that beeps when it touches water. Use it to record static water level after drilling and to check whether your pump is set at the right depth.
- Tape lengths from 100 ft (30 m) to 1,000 ft (300 m)
- Audible and light signal at the water surface
- Battery powered, no setup needed
Lets you verify the driller report and track the aquifer over the years.
Longer tapes cost more, so match the length to your well depth.
Well water test kit
After drilling, test for bacteria, iron, manganese, hardness and pH before you choose any treatment. A lab kit gives the most reliable picture.
- Covers bacteria, metals, nitrate and hardness
- Mail in lab kits give certified results
- DIY strips are fine for quick checks
Stops you buying the wrong filter.
Lab kits take a week or two for results.
Compare the best options in my guide to well water test kits, and when you are ready to equip, see the best submersible pumps for deep wells.
Is a Borehole Worth the Cost?
For most rural homes and farms it is, because a borehole replaces water bills and water trucking for 20 years or more. A Kenyan farm paying for water deliveries can often recover the cost of drilling and solar equipping within a few years.
The key is getting the depth and pump right first time. A well sited, properly developed and correctly equipped borehole is cheaper over its life than a cheap hole that fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drill a borehole in Kenya in 2026?
Expect KES 6,500 to 6,900 per metre including casing, gravel pack, development and test pumping, plus about KES 50,000 for the survey and KES 85,000 for permits. A typical 150 to 300 m borehole costs KES 1.1M to 2.3M to drill.
What is the cost of drilling a borehole per metre?
It ranges from roughly 11 to 213 US dollars per metre depending on the country, with Kenya at about 50 to 53 dollars, South Africa at 30 to 91 dollars, the UK at 66 to 132 dollars and the US at 82 to 213 dollars.
How much does a borehole cost in South Africa?
Drilling costs R500 to R1,500 per metre in 2026, and a complete domestic installation with pump usually costs R60,000 to R120,000.
How much does a borehole cost in the UK?
UK drillers charge about 50 to 100 pounds per metre, and a complete domestic borehole with pump and treatment usually costs 10,000 to 20,000 pounds.
How much does a borehole cost in Nigeria?
A motorized domestic borehole costs about 900,000 to 1.5 million naira in soft ground and 2.5 to 3.5 million naira or more in hard rock areas like Abuja.
What happens if the borehole is dry?
It depends on your contract, so agree dry hole terms in writing before drilling. At Bonvic Drilling the client pays only part of the cost if adequate water is not found.
Sources: Bonvic Drilling Co. Ltd project quotes, Kenya, 2026; Enviroleg, Borehole Drilling Prices in South Africa 2026; Lands of Nigeria, Cost to Drill a Borehole in Nigeria 2026; Irrigation Africa, Borehole Drilling Cost Zimbabwe 2026; Borehole Drilling Cost UK, cost per metre; Angi, How Much Does Well Drilling Cost; AfroTools, Borehole Cost Estimator (Ghana); Kenya Revenue Authority exchange rates, October 2026.
