How to Hire a Well Driller

If your homesite doesn't have public water service available you will need to have a well drilled. Here's how to find a well driller who will get the job done right.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Well Drillers
• Yellow Pages
• Contractor Referral Services
• Personal Organizers

1. Determine a location for your well. Regulations vary with town and state, but there is generally a minimum distance from any septic system (yours or a neighbor's) that you must adhere to.

2. Check with the building or health department if you are uncertain about the acceptability of a location.

3. Call several well drillers. Ask friends for recommendations or check the yellow pages. Depending upon your location, there may not be a large number of active well-drilling contractors.

4. Have the well drillers quote you a price for the project. The price will be given as a certain amount per foot for drilling, plus the cost of connecting to the house.

5. Ask for references from the contractor(s). Check with these references. Was the job done in a timely and professional manner?

6. Check to make sure that the contractors are properly insured.

7. Make sure that the contractors provide a guarantee on the well, pump, and other components.

8. Select a contractor based upon price, references and your impressions.

9. Sign a contract for the work. Make sure the contract includes the pricing, start date, and anticipated completion date as well as the guarantee.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the contractor provides you with a certificate of insurance before work begins or any payment is made.
• Well costs are highly variable, depending upon how deep you have to go to hit potable water. There is no reliable way to be sure how deep your well will be, however the best guess is that your neighbors will have a similar depth.
• Your well driller will need to have access to the site with the necessary machinery. This may involve removing fences and landscaping.

on 11/22/2005 In my area whether you have a conventional or aerobic septic system your water well must be located a certain distance from your septic tank or aerobic system sprinklers. In my case I had to get a variance because of the size of the property.

on 11/22/2005 If you call for an estimate, please keep in mind that not all people who say they are well drillers are professionals. Ask if they are certified by the National Ground Water Association and a state association. Remember that an "estimate" is just that.

on 11/22/2005 The well driller's estimate should also include pump (sized for your well) riser pipe, casing, lining (if needed) well capacity test, bacterial and chemical detection tests and sales tax (if applicable).

on 11/22/2005 Your well-drilling contractor cannot proceed with your well unless you have a health department permit signed by the sanitation engineer.