1. Are you licensed in this state?
Most states require well drillers to be licensed. Ask for the license number and verify it with your state licensing board. Unlicensed drillers may not be allowed to file required completion reports, leaving you with legal and permit problems.
2. Are you insured?
A professional driller carries at minimum $1 million in general liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance listing you as an additional insured. Without this, you are liable if a worker is injured on your property or if drilling damages a neighbor's well.
3. What depth do you expect to drill?
An experienced local driller knows typical depths in your area from drilling nearby wells. They should give you a range based on local data — not a guarantee, since geology is unpredictable. Be wary of unusually low bids that assume shallow depths without local knowledge to support that estimate.
4. How is your price structured?
Most drillers charge per-foot for drilling plus fixed prices for pump and other components. Understand whether the per-foot price includes casing and grout or just drilling. Get an itemized bid. Watch for "footage only" bids that exclude pump, electrical, and completion costs.
5. What happens if you don't hit water?
If drilling exceeds the expected depth without finding water, who pays? Reputable drillers charge only for the footage drilled — you pay for the attempt even if the well is dry. Ask what their policy is and what options exist (move to another location, try a different technique). A dry hole is a real possibility in some geological settings.
6–10. Additional Essential Questions
Do you pull permits and file completion reports? (They should.) What is the timeline from start to finish? Who installs the pump — you or a sub? What warranty do you offer on the pump and workmanship? Can you provide references from nearby well installations in the last 12 months?
11–15. Red Flags to Watch For
Demanding large cash deposits before work begins. No written contract. Unwilling to provide license or insurance information. Quote significantly lower than competitors without explanation. No local references. Pressure to sign immediately. These are warning signs of a contractor to avoid.