Good wells start with good contractors, and you should start your search by checking the licensed water well contractors in your area. Most city and county governments can provide you with a list of licensed contractors to call. Most licensed contractors also have to carry a bond as well, another reason to only deal with licensed well drillers.

As far as narrowing down the list, it’s not a lot different than hiring a contractor for any other job. Talk to friends and neighbors to see if they have a licensed contractor to recommend. Look for drilling contractors with experience and the proper equipment, as it’s not a job that can be tackled with tools rented from Home Depot or Lowes.

When you’ve found a drilling contractor you like, get everything in writing in a contract. Make sure that the type of materials and type of pump to be installed is specified, as well as the quality and quantity of water to be delivered, and the maximum depth the contractor can drill before needing to get express permission to proceed further. Also spell out who is responsible for site cleanup, who will install the pump, and any guarantees for workmanship and materials.