Shallow well drilling with a compact rig

Rural and semi-rural homeowners, small farms, market gardens, and owners of cabins or lots with limited access.

Per-foot or fixed price per well, plus casing, screens and finishing. Some drillers add pump installs or well rehabilitation for repeat income.

• Operating drilling equipment
• Basic mechanical repair
• Understanding local groundwater conditions
• Quoting and customer communication

• Licensing, permits and well construction rules differ by state and county, so confirm what applies before you take any job
• A shallow well may not reach enough or safe water, and customers should know to test water quality
• General liability, equipment and workers' compensation insurance once you hire
• Call 811 before drilling and take care around buried lines and septic systems
• A smaller rig limits the depth and ground types you can handle, so know when to decline a job

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the compact or trailer-mounted rig you choose and the support equipment you need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many jobs you take, local groundwater conditions and the sites you can reach with a smaller rig.

Licensing, permits and well construction rules differ by state and county, so confirm what applies before taking any job. Also check insurance, call 811 before drilling, and tell customers to test water quality, since a shallow well may not reach enough or safe water.