Final depth
Drilling is commonly priced per metre, so a deeper water-bearing formation increases the drilling portion of the quote.
Western Cape price guide
What does a borehole cost?
Use these figures as a starting point for planning. A borehole quote becomes accurate only when the location, access, expected depth, ground conditions, and complete pump system are understood.
Planning figures, not a fixed quotation. Prices can change with depth, geology, material and equipment costs, travel, access, and the work included. Deon will confirm the scope and current price for your property.
Two numbers to understand
Drilling cost is only one part of the project.
Borehole drilling is often charged by the metre. At an indicative rate of R600 to R1,500 per metre, the drilling portion of a 50-metre hole could be roughly R30,000 to R75,000.
A complete project may start from around R50,000 because the finished water system can also require mobilisation, casing, a borehole pump, pipework, cabling, controls, testing, labour, and travel. The final depth is not always known before drilling begins.
The most useful comparison is therefore not the cheapest per-metre rate. Compare the complete written scope, what happens if the hole must go deeper, and which equipment and tests are included.
Illustrative depth50 metres
Indicative drilling rateR600–R1,500 / m
Drilling portion onlyR30,000–R75,000
Shallower groundwater optionWellpoint installations from around R5,000No usable groundwater found? Only the call-out fee is charged.
Where the property has suitable sandy ground and accessible shallow groundwater. The final price depends on depth, access, pump equipment, pipework, travel, and the complete scope.
Explore wellpoint installationMunicipal-water savings
What could a borehole save each year?
A borehole can be especially valuable where gardens and irrigation push a household into higher municipal tariff bands. These examples show the possible reduction in consumption charges—not guaranteed net savings.
| Municipal garden water replaced | Estimated monthly saving | Estimated annual saving |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kL / month | ≈ R390 | ≈ R4,700 |
| 10 kL / month | ≈ R800 | ≈ R9,600 |
| 15 kL / month | ≈ R1,210 | ≈ R14,500 |
Example assumptions
A non-indigent, stand-alone Cape Town home continues using 10 kL/month of municipal water indoors and moves an additional 5–15 kL/month of garden water to the borehole. The estimate uses the City’s 2026/27 Level 0 stepped water tariffs and its sanitation charge based on 70% of metered consumption.
What is not included
View the City’s 2026/27 tariff guide The fixed municipal charge continues. Pump electricity, servicing, repairs, laboratory testing, filtration, and treatment are not deducted. Tariffs and charging methods differ across municipalities and change over time.
What changes the quote
Six factors behind the final price.
Two properties in the same suburb can need different equipment and reach water at different depths. A reliable quote makes those variables visible.
Ground conditions
Soft sand, clay, loose formations, and hard rock need different drilling methods, time, casing, and equipment.
Casing & diameter
The required casing material, bore diameter, and depth all affect the cost of completing and protecting the hole.
Pump system
Pump capacity, installation depth, controls, cabling, pipework, and protection equipment are selected for the tested borehole.
Property access
Gate width, overhead clearance, slopes, paving, and the distance to the drilling point affect how equipment reaches the site.
Testing & extras
Yield testing, water-quality analysis, tanks, filtration, electrical work, and irrigation connections may be quoted separately.
Compare like with like
What should a borehole quote show?
A clear quote should distinguish the drilling work from the equipment and optional extras. That makes it easier to understand the real installed cost.
01Mobilisation and travelGetting the drilling crew and equipment to the property.
02Per-metre drilling rateThe rate, expected depth range, and how extra metres are charged.
03Casing and completionMaterial, diameter, depth, and sealing or finishing work.
04Pump and controlsPump model, pipework, cable, controller, and protection equipment.
05Testing and connectionsYield testing, water-quality testing, electrical work, tanks, or irrigation links.
06VAT and exclusionsWhether VAT is included and which work remains outside the price.
Borehole price questions
Budget with the full system in mind.
These indicative figures help with early planning. A property-specific quote is the only reliable way to set the working budget.
Ask about your property01How much does borehole drilling cost per metre?+
A useful planning range is approximately R600 to R1,500 per metre. The actual rate depends on the geology, drilling method, hole diameter, casing requirements, access, and location.
02How much should I budget for a complete borehole?+
Complete borehole projects may start from around R50,000, but the final cost can be substantially higher. Depth, ground conditions, casing, pump equipment, electrical work, testing, travel, and site access all shape the total.
03Does the starting price include a borehole pump?+
Not necessarily. Ask for a written scope that clearly states whether the pump, pipework, cabling, controller, yield testing, water testing, tanks, and electrical connection are included.
04Can the final depth or water yield be guaranteed?+
No responsible driller can guarantee groundwater depth or yield before drilling. Nearby boreholes and local knowledge can guide planning, but geology can change from one property to the next.
05How much does a wellpoint cost?+
Wellpoint installations start from around R5,000 where shallow groundwater and suitable sandy conditions make one practical. If Deon finds no usable groundwater, only the call-out fee is charged. The final installation price depends on the depth, access, pump equipment, pipework, travel, and work included.
06How much money can a borehole save on municipal water?+
For a Cape Town stand-alone home that still uses about 10 kL a month indoors, replacing an additional 5 kL of municipal garden water could reduce consumption charges by roughly R390 a month. Replacing 10 kL could save about R800 a month, and 15 kL about R1,210 a month—approximately R4,700, R9,600, or R14,500 a year. These examples use the City of Cape Town’s 2026/27 Level 0 water and sanitation consumption tariffs, including VAT. The fixed municipal charge remains, and borehole electricity, maintenance, testing, and treatment costs must still be allowed for.
Get a realistic starting point