Which pump do you have?
A jet pump sits above ground in a basement, well house or pit, and pulls water up a pipe. A submersible pump sits down inside the well casing, and only a cable and a pipe come to the surface. If you cannot see a pump near the pressure tank, it is submersible.
What a jet pump swap involves
- Turn off power at the breaker and confirm it is dead with a tester.
- Close the valve to the house and drain the tank and the pump.
- Disconnect the suction and pressure pipes and the wiring. Photograph the wiring first.
- Set the new pump, reconnect the pipes with sealed fittings, and rewire it to the same terminals.
- Prime the pump with water, restore power, and watch the gauge reach the shut-off pressure.
- Check every fitting for leaks, and check the tank air charge while you are there.
What a submersible pump pull involves
A well pro typically lifts the pump out on its drop pipe with a cable hoist, usually with a truck and a two-person crew. The pro checks the pipe, the wire, and the pitless adapter, swaps the pump, lowers it back, and tests the pressure.
Most residential replacements finish in one day. Difficult access, corroded pipe or electrical upgrades can push the job into a second day.
When to hire a pro
- The pump is submersible and the well is deeper than 25 feet.
- You are not sure how to wire a 230-volt pump safely.
- The pressure switch or control box needs work.
- The breaker trips when the pump starts.
- You want someone to test the system after the work.
After the pump goes in
Run an outdoor tap until the water runs clear. Penn State Extension says disinfection applies “following routine well and piping construction, repair, or pump installation.” Ask your installer whether they disinfect the well, and test for coliform bacteria afterward. Penn State also advises testing a well every year for total coliform bacteria. Our well water testing page explains what to test for and what the results mean.
Questions
Can I change a submersible well pump myself?
The Well Guide says a submersible pump in a well deeper than 25 feet is not practical to do yourself because it needs a cable hoist. It warns that dropping the pump results in an extremely expensive recovery operation.
How long does it take to change a well pump?
Most residential jobs finish in one day: 2 to 4 hours for a shallow jet pump, 4 to 6 hours for a submersible in a 100 to 200 foot well, and 6 to 8 hours for a 300 to 400 foot well (The Well Guide, October 2026).
Should I replace the pressure tank at the same time?
If the tank is over 8 years old, yes. The Well Guide says adding it to a pump job costs about $200 to $500, against $450 to $1,500 for the tank alone later.
Next step
- Pump size and cost estimator
- Well pump troubleshooter: Is it really the pump?
- Well pump pressure switch