Well inspections for FHA, VA, and USDA home loans
For buyers closing on a home with a private well. Get the well and the water checked, with a written report for your file, so you're ahead of closing.
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- Well and water checked in one visit, $225The same inspection for FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
- A written report for your fileReady to share with your lender and agent.
- Ahead of closingFind out where the well stands while there's still time to act.
What lenders usually look at
On a home with a private well, FHA, VA, and USDA lenders usually want to know about the well and its water before closing.
- Bacteria: coliform and E. coli
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Lead, and on some loans arsenic
- Water that meets local or EPA standards
- The distance between the well and the septic system
- How recent the results are (VA results are usually good for 90 days from the date they're certified)
Every loan is different. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs from the well.
FHA, VA, and USDA loans on a well
FHA
Usually a water test that meets local health standards, or EPA standards where there aren't local ones, and the right distance between the well and the septic system.
VA
Usually bacteria, nitrate, and nitrite, and on some loans lead or arsenic. Results are usually good for 90 days, so timing matters.
USDA
Usually a water test showing the water meets local or EPA standards before the loan closes.
Based on VA (Circular 26-17-19), USDA (HB-1-3555), and FHA (HUD 4000.1) guidelines. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs.
What the inspection covers
One visit, the well and the water, $225. The same price for FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
- The wellFlow rate, pressure, and a mechanical inspection.
- The waterA water quality analysis with full contaminant screening.
- A written reportEvery result in plain English, for your file, your lender, and your agent.
If the water tests positive for bacteria
The usual fix is to shock the well with chlorine. Here's what that looks like before closing.
- 1
Shock the well
Someone has to come out and chlorinate the well, if you can get them on the phone.
- 2
Go without water
With that much chlorine in the water, you can't shower, wash clothes, or use it for at least 24 hours.
- 3
Test and pay again
About 48 hours later the water is tested again, and paid for again. It may come back clean, or it may not, and the clock to closing keeps running.
Or treat it with a UV system
A UV system treats bacteria as water comes into the house, with no well shock and no days without water. About $2,200 installed, and if we install it, your $225 inspection is credited. The lender may still need a passing test, so ask your loan officer.
We find the cause and fix it. A Custom Well System is sized to what the inspection finds, typically $55 to $75 a month with financing, or $5,500 to $7,500 total, installation included.* Well water treatment →
The home came with a softener or filter? A one-hour system checkup tells you what it is, whether it works, and what it needs. System checkup →
Agents and lenders: send us your buyers.
Buyer's home on a well? We check the well and the water for $225 and get them a written report ahead of closing. If bacteria turns up, we can treat it without shocking the well.
Real homes, real results
Real Google reviews from homes we've worked with.
"Very professional and willing to go beyond just selling water systems to actually building a system to suit a specific need."
"We had an amazing experience with WaterGuard from start to finish! They did a thorough job testing our water and took the time to explain everything to us."
"If you are looking for knowledgeable professionals who genuinely care about the quality of the water coming into your home, I cannot recommend Luke, Jason, and the WaterGuard team enough."
Questions, answered
The things buyers ask us most about wells and home loans. Anything else, give us a call.
Buying a home on a well? Should I check it before closing on an FHA, VA, or USDA loan?
Yes, and it's best to do it early. Lenders on FHA, VA, and USDA loans usually look at the well and its water before closing. A WaterGuard well inspection checks the well and the water in one visit and gives you a written report for your file. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs from the well.
What does an FHA well inspection look at?
Usually whether the water meets local health standards, or EPA standards where there aren't local ones, and the distance between the well and the septic system. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs.
What does a VA well water test look at?
Usually bacteria (coliform and E. coli), nitrate, and nitrite, and on some loans lead or arsenic. VA results are usually good for 90 days, so timing matters. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs.
What does a USDA well water test look at?
Usually a water test showing the water meets local or EPA standards before the loan closes. Ask your loan officer what your loan needs.
What if the well or water needs work before closing?
We find the cause and fix it. If it's bacteria, a UV system treats it without shocking the well, about $2,200 installed, and your $225 inspection is credited when we install it. For other problems, we design a Custom Well System sized to what the inspection finds, typically $55 to $75 a month with approved financing or $5,500 to $7,500 total, installation included; the lender sets final terms.
How much is a well inspection for a home loan?
$225, the same for FHA, VA, and USDA loans. It covers the well and the water in one visit, with a written report for your file.
How fast do I get results?
Bacteria testing takes time, so we give you the timeline when you book. Book early so the results are in hand before closing.
Book a call about your well inspection
Every option starts with a quick phone call, not a visit. We answer your questions, then set a time that works for you.
Request a call back
Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back as soon as possible.
Pick a time
Busy? We'll call you around your schedule. Pick the day and time that works for you.
* With approved financing; lender sets final terms.
Pricing valid as quoted, October 2026.
Cleaner, better-tasting water too.