Picking from the well drilling contractors in South Carolina comes down to four checks. Is the driller licensed by the state right now? Do they run their own rig, or hire it out? Does the quote cover permits, the pump, the tank and a water test? And will they file the well record with the state when the job is done? Austin Drilling has drilled over 13,000 wells in SC since 1960, so we'll tell you what we'd check if we were hiring.
Who is allowed to drill a well in South Carolina?
Only a certified well driller can do it. SC Regulation 61-71 says every well must be drilled, built and sealed by one. "Certified" means currently registered with the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).
The word "currently" matters more than you'd think. Driller licenses in SC renew every year. LLR's deadline for 2026-2027 renewals was June 30, 2026, and unrenewed licenses are now expired. A driller legal last spring may not be today. Look the name up on LLR's free Licensee Lookup before you sign anything.
A directory listing proves none of that. The national well group's own contractor finder tells you to verify state compliance yourself. It doesn't vouch for anyone on the list.
What should a good contractor ask you first?
They should ask about your land before they talk price. Where will the house sit on it? How many people will live there? Is this a family home, an irrigation well, or an off-grid tiny home?
We hear all of these from callers. One caller had an old farm field and needed a well put out. Another was buying a half-acre lot to build a smaller home. A third simply asked for advice on feasibility. That's the right question to start with. A good driller answers it with a site visit. South Carolina's ground changes a lot from Upstate granite to Lowcountry sand. A contractor who quotes you over the phone without seeing it is guessing.
Do they drill it themselves, or hire it out?
Ask this one straight out, every time. Some companies sell the job, then hire it out. A subcontractor shows up with a rented rig. That's legal if the driller is certified. But it means the people who sold it to you aren't the ones in your yard.
Austin Drilling uses our own crews and our own equipment, and we never subcontract the drilling. That's how we stand behind our work. Every pump and tank we install carries a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. We also come back free in year one if anything goes wrong, acts of nature aside.
What should a well drilling quote include?
A real quote spells out the whole system, not just the hole. Look for the permits, the casing and grout, the pump, the pressure tank and the wiring. Look for a water test before handoff.
Wells are priced on depth and what's underground. Our page on well drilling cost per foot explains why. No honest driller gives you a firm number sight unseen. If two quotes are far apart, ask what each one leaves out. The cheap one usually skips something you'll pay for later. If you've already had another company look and want a second opinion, we're glad to give one.
What happens after the rig leaves?
Your well's paperwork isn't finished yet. SC rules require the contractor to file a Water Well Record, Form 1903, with the state within thirty days of finishing your well. Ask the contractor for a copy. It records how your well was built and how deep it goes. You'll want it when you sell or need a repair.
FAQ
How do I check if a well driller is licensed in SC?
Search their name on LLR's Environmental Certification Board Licensee Lookup. Make sure the license shows as current. An expired license doesn't count for anything.
Do well drilling contractors handle the permit?
Most good contractors handle it for you. Austin Drilling handles every state permit and county requirement for you. Our well drilling permit guide walks through that process.
How long does a new well take?
Most homes are drilled and running in one to three days once the rig arrives. Our guide on how long it takes to drill a well covers the full timeline.
Who are well drilling contractors near me in the Midlands?
Austin Drilling serves the Midlands and Upstate through our well drilling service. Building a house on a new lot? See our guide to well and septic installation. Call West Columbia at (803) 926-5402 or Newberry at (803) 926-7080, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm, or reach us through our contact page.
Talk to a Real Well Company
66 years, 13,000+ wells, in-house crews across the SC Midlands and Upstate. Call Austin Drilling and we'll get your water right.
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