Cost guide · updated October 2026
Well water test cost for NJ home sales
The required test for a home on a private well typically costs $450–$650.
What you're paying for
- A certified lab technician collecting the sample at the property.
- The full required panel: bacteria, nitrate, metals, volatile organic chemicals, gross alpha and PFAS, plus mercury in southern and shore counties.
- A standardized report that the lab also files with NJDEP.
What changes the price
- How far the property is from the lab.
- How hard the sample is to collect.
- Extra parameters required in that county, and any retest after a failed result.
Ways to avoid delays
Sellers can test before listing, which gives time to fix a problem. Buyers should order the test the day the contract is signed.
Common questions
How much does a well water test cost for a NJ home sale?
Estimates for the Private Well Testing Act panel typically run $450 to $650.
Can I use a cheaper home test kit?
Not for a sale. The sample must be collected by an NJDEP-certified lab or its authorized representative.
Who pays for the well test?
The law doesn't say, so buyer and seller negotiate it in the contract.