By Michigan Well Driller editorial team. Last reviewed 2026-10-31.
Hiring a Well Driller in Michigan
A well is a long-term part of your home's water supply. This guide covers what to check before you hire, using official sources. Listings in this directory are not endorsements, so verify each point yourself.
1. Confirm state registration
Michigan requires water well drilling contractors and pump installers to register with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Registration is annual, and a contractor that misses the May 1 renewal deadline cannot drill wells or install pumps until it renews. Look up the contractor in EGLE's Directory of Registered Contractors, linked from the EGLE registration page.
Drilling contractors and pump installers are registered separately. If one company drills and another installs the pump, check both.
2. Check for enforcement actions
EGLE posts a list of recent administrative actions to revoke or suspend contractor registrations on its registration page. Read it before you sign.
3. Ask about permits
Call your county or district health department before work starts. Ask what permit is needed, who applies for it and what inspections follow. Get the answer about who files in writing from the contractor.
4. Questions to ask every contractor
- What is your EGLE registration number, and may I look it up?
- Who pulls the permit, and is the cost included in the quote?
- Is the price per foot or a fixed total, and what happens if the well must go deeper than estimated?
- What is covered if the well produces too little water, and for how long?
- Who installs the pump, and is that person registered as a pump installer?
- Will you provide proof of insurance?
- What will you give me when the job is done, and who tests the water?
5. Get it in writing
Ask for a written contract that lists scope, price, payment schedule, permit responsibility and warranty terms before any work starts. Be cautious of anyone who asks for the full price up front.