For many, the crystal clear life blood flowing through their home’s pipelines is taken for granted. The city water treatment plants collect and purify the fluid and deliver it with little fuss. All that’s left for the homeowner is to scratch a reasonably priced check each month to keep the water flowing. But, for millions of Americans this is not the case. For these homeowners, the only way to get water into their glasses is to hire someone to drill deep underground and find a source.
Having a well professionally dug is a pricey endeavor often costing more than a new automobile. However, when you consider that a well-built well should last far longer, the cost seems a little more justified. Digging a well is about a lot more than just creating a deep hole in the Earth. The process is more akin to engineering than you might think. When you factor in the labor, the risks and the necessary permits you have to obtain from the health department, it becomes easy to see why a do it yourself approach to well drilling may not be the best idea. If you need a well, your best option is to hire a professional contractor. But, how do you know which one to pick? The following is a guide to some of the things you should consider when choosing a pro to dig your well.
How to Choose
When choosing a contracting company to drill your well, you should make sure to do some investigating to ensure they are qualified. The first thing you need to find out is if they are properly licensed in your state. Well drilling is not a simple job and should not be trusted to amateurs. You need to ensure that the person doing the job has all the proper credentials before you turn them loose on your land.
The second thing you should investigate is whether or not the contractor is properly insured. There are many smaller, independent contractors that do a fine job at drilling wells. But, a few small-timers out there that do it on the side just to try to earn an extra buck. It is important that you make sure to ask for documentation to prove that they are insured or you could end up with a minor catastrophe should something go wrong.
Another fundamental thing you need to find out is the contractor’s rates. This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are some things to consider, here, too. First, ask yourself why one company’s bid is so much less than anothers. Sure, we all like to pay less for everything, but if a well drilling contractor doesn’t think much of the value of his services, then he might not take much pride in his work either. Just like most things in life, when it comes to having a well dug, you get what you pay for. And the extra bucks you save will come as little solace if you end up with a poorly engineered well.
Good communication is also something you should seek in a contractor. Make sure to talk to the proposed contractor about their plans. Include questions about what type of well he’s planning to dig, what type of pump he plans to install and if there are any alternatives to his choices. This sort of communication will not only help you get a better idea of what to expect from the contractor, but it will give you a better handle on the character of the individual and may keep you from making a bad hire.
Also, make sure to find out what the contractor is going to need you to do. For example, will you need to prepare the area or clear any trees or vegetation. Also, you should find out if the contractor expects any money up front, and if so, exactly how much.
The last thing you should check on might be the most important. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out about most services and well drilling is no different. Personal references can be the best way to locate a qualified contractor you can expect quality results from. If you need a well dug, then you probably live near or next to other people who did or do, too. So, take advantage of this fact and ask your neighbors about their experiences, who they chose and if they’d choose them again.
