well pump pressure switch replacement

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Well Pump Pressure Switch?

	Low $25 – $95	Average Cost $100 – $175	High $180 – $225
DIY	Yes or No	No	No
Pro Installer	Pump Contractor	Either	Plumber
Parts Cost	$25 – $40	$25 – $50	$30 – $60
Access	Any	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to Difficult
Cost of Living	Low – Average	Average	Average – High

Overview of Well Pump Pressure Switch

Pressure switches use an internal spring mechanism and electrical contacts to control the pump. Those parts wear with time and eventually fail. The result might be that the pump won’t turn on, won’t turn off or runs erratically. Any of these could indicate the need for replacement of the switch assembly or the well pump itself needs to be replaced. There’s more pressure switch troubleshooting help below.

This well pump water pressure switch replacement price estimate includes retail prices for the parts and labor costs for hiring a pro to install it. It compares pump switch replacement costs from reliable estimating sites like Angie’s List too.

There’s a place for homeowners to share their well pump pressure switch replacement cost for the benefit of other readers, and you’re invited back to Business Finance News to submit your price when the project is complete. Finally, the DIY option is explored with our recommendation and input from readers.

Product and Installation Supplies Cost Details

Well Pump Pressure Switch Price Factors

There are just a few factors that shape the total cost of replacing a well pump water pressure switch.

• Who Does the Work – The part is cheap compared with the cost of hiring a pro. If you can do the work yourself, you’ll save 60% or more.
• Quality of the Pressure Switch – It is recommended that you go with a dependable brand like Square D Pumptrol or Everbilt rather than saving a few bucks with a cheaper, less reliable part that will likely fail sooner.
• Pressure Settings of the Switch – As noted, a 20/40 switch costs a little less than a 40/60 or 60/80 switch of the same quality. Of course, you’ll need a replacement well pump pressure switch with the same water pressure range as the old one or you’ll have pressure problems.
• Access to the Pressure Switch – Switches are located near the pressure tank where the water line enters the house. Ease of access might have a small role in the cost estimate – It’s easier to access a switch in a walk-out basement, for example, than having to crawl in and out of a mobile home foundation access door.
• Where you Live – Labor rates vary with the cost of living. Prices are highest in Hawaii (190% of the national average) followed by large cities in the Northeast and Pacific West. The most affordable labor costs are in small towns and rural areas of the Midwest and South where cost of living is 80% to 87% of average. Actual costs are discussed below.

Cost of Pressure Switch Installation Supplies

Here are cost ranges for the most common well pump pressure switch controls.

• $12 – $28 ($18 Ave.) | 20/40 PSI
• $14 – $30 ($21 Ave.) | 30/50 PSI
• $17 – $33 ($25 Ave.) | 40/60 PSI (Most common)
• $18 – $35 ($27 Ave.) | 60/80 PSI
• $12 – $20 | Water pressure gauge
• $4 – $10 | ¼” threaded nipple, 2-6 inches long
• $1 – $3 | Small role of ½” Teflon tape for water pipes (white, not yellow)
• $80 – $135 | Entire Pressure Tank Installation Kit including the switch and pressure gauge – Typically only needed with a new installation.

About Well Pump Pressure Switches

More than 13 million homes in the US get their water from wells according to 2017 statistics from the EPA. Well installation and repair keep the water flowing, and pump switch replacement is common.

A well pump pressure switch monitors pressure in the water line. It’s job is to turn on the pump when the low pressure setting is reached and turn off the pump at the high pressure setting.

Common low/pump-on and high/pump-off settings include 20/40, 30/50, 40/60 and 60/80 PSI. The price of the pressure switch increases slightly with as the pressure setting rises.

Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

• $0 | No permit is needed for pressure switch replacement.

Related Costs and Installation Time

Though a plumber ($60-$150 an hour) could make this repair, calling the well installer or another well or pump contractor will be more economical.

Most have lower hourly rates than plumbers and will get it diagnosed and repaired more quickly, since it is their specialty.

• $35 – $70 per hour | Labor cost when hiring a pump contractor for well pump pressure switch replacement.
• $65 – $150 per hour | Labor cost to hire a plumber when minimum fees are considered.

Minimum charge? Some contractors might have a minimum service fee of $75 to $150 for the visit. If so, that’s likely what you’ll end up paying, since the repair goes pretty quickly.

• 1-1.5 Hours | Time it takes to diagnose and replace a pressure switch.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

This is a DIY job if you remember to follow safety guidelines – namely turning off power to the pump and switch before you start. Attention to detail will help too.

It’s always nice to know that what you’re doing will solve the problem. And diagnosing a bad pressure switch can be tricky.

Go through this short checklist of other common reasons that the pump isn’t running.

• Is the well pump circuit off and needs to be turned back on?
• Is the circuit tripped – if you turn it on and it quickly trips again, the issue is likely in the wiring, not the switch.
• Check the gauge on the pressure tank to make sure it is at least 40 PSI – or the low number in your PSI range. If it isn’t, there’s likely a problem with the tank or tank filter if it has one.
• Inspect the gauge for damage. Tap it, to see if it is stuck and you can “un-stick” it.

Then try this: If the pump won’t turn on, or it’s running and won’t shut off even when the pressure set point has been reached, rap the pressure switch a time or two with a screwdriver handle. If it suddenly does what it should, turning the pump on or off, you’ve found the problem.

If none of those issues are in play and that doesn’t work, it’s time to replace the switch to see if it fixes the issue or to call a pump contractor for the repair.

The issue could be anything from a bad pump to a blown tank bladder to a bag gauge.

For the DIY’ers out There

If you DIY, here are the basic steps.

Buy a new switch with the same pressure range 30/50, 40/60 or whatever. You should find the range on or inside the pump switch cover.

This is also a good time to replace the short ¼” nipple and the pressure gauge.

1). Turn off the circuit to the pump in the electrical panel. To be safe, use a voltage tester at the pump switch to be sure there’s no power to it.

2). Take a picture of the wiring connections or label them, so you know which goes where on the new switch.

3). Unscrew the locking ring securing the wiring inside the switch, and pull the wiring out of it.

4). Now you can unscrew the old switch and nipple.

5). Thread on the new nipple and switch. Use Teflon tape to ensure against leaks.

6). Reattach the wiring.

7). Replace the pressure gauge.

8). Turn on the circuit.

9). Check the connections for leaks, and tighten them if needed.

If your pump is running, keep an eye on it to make sure it shuts off and back on when it should. If it does, good job. You saved yourself some cash.

If not, rack it up to experience and get some estimates on having a contractor diagnose and repair the issue.