How to Hire a Licensed Well Driller in Indiana

March 2, 2026

Hiring a well driller is a significant investment — a residential water well system in Indiana typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 or more, and the quality of the work affects your water supply for decades. Here’s how to hire the right contractor.

Step 1: Verify the Individual’s License

Indiana licenses the individual driller, not the company. Before any work begins, ask for the driller’s personal DNR license number and type (well driller, pump installer, or both). Verify it directly with the Indiana DNR Division of Water:

Phone: (877) 928-3755, Option 4
Phone: (317) 234-1087
Email: DOWWRU@dnr.in.gov

Ask whether the license is current and when it expires. Indiana well driller licenses expire December 31st of the year issued.

Step 2: Get Multiple Written Quotes

Collect at least three written bids. A proper quote should specify:

Estimated well depth and drilling method
Casing type and size (steel vs. PVC)
Grouting requirements and method
Pump type, size, and horsepower
Pressure tank size
Electrical work included or excluded
Water quality testing (included or separate)
Total cost and payment schedule

Beware of verbal quotes or bids with large “contingency” ranges — reputable drillers give firm estimates based on local geological data.

Step 3: Check Their Experience with Local Geology

Indiana’s geology varies widely. Northern Indiana’s glaciated plains have shallower aquifers; southern Indiana bedrock often requires deeper drilling into limestone or shale formations. Ask how many wells the contractor has drilled in your county, and whether they’ve pulled well completion records from the DNR’s database to understand local water depths and quality.

Step 4: Confirm They’ll File the Well Completion Report

Indiana law requires the licensed well driller to file a well completion report with the DNR Division of Water within 60 days of finishing the well. This report documents the well’s construction, geology, and water depth — it’s a permanent public record. Make sure your contractor commits to this in writing.

Step 5: Plan for Water Testing

New wells should be tested before use. At minimum, test for:

Total coliform and E. coli bacteria
Nitrates
pH, hardness, iron, and manganese
Any local contaminants of concern (arsenic, radon in some areas)

Your county health department can recommend approved labs. If you’re in an area with known radon issues, also test well water for radon — see IN Radon Pros for licensed radon professionals.

Step 6: Understand the Service Area

Contractors listed in this directory are organized by their office location, not necessarily their service territory. Many well drillers travel across multiple counties. Always confirm that the contractor serves your specific location before scheduling.

Red Flags to Watch For

No individual license number provided or license can’t be verified
Unusually low bid with vague scope (“we’ll see how deep we need to go”)
Requests for full payment upfront before work begins
No written contract
Unfamiliar with local DNR well completion report requirements

After the Well Is Drilled

Once drilling is complete:

Disinfect the well — standard practice after construction
Test the water before drinking
Get a copy of the well completion report — you should receive one for your records
Schedule a follow-up test after 1 year to establish baseline water quality

A well properly drilled and cased to Indiana standards should provide reliable water for 20–50 years with basic maintenance.