How to Hire a Licensed Well Contractor in Ontario
Drilling, servicing, or decommissioning a water well is regulated work and one of the larger property decisions a rural Ontario owner makes. This checklist covers what to verify before you sign.
1. Confirm the contractor holds a current well contractor licence
In Ontario, constructing, altering, or abandoning a water well is regulated work that must be done by a licensed well contractor using licensed well technicians. Every contractor in this directory appears on the provincial licence registry; confirm the licence is still current before you hire.
2. Match the licence service class to your job
A well contractor licence lists the service classes the contractor is authorized for, such as drilling a new well, installing pumps and equipment, or abandoning a well. Make sure the contractor's class covers the specific work you need.
3. Ask for the well record
After well construction or alteration, the contractor must complete a well record documenting the work, the depth, and the construction details, and provide a copy to you. Insist on receiving your well record. It is the official history of your well and matters for future service and for home sales.
4. Get itemized written quotes from more than one contractor
Compare the scope, depth assumptions, casing and equipment, permits, and any allowances for unexpected depth in writing. Drilling costs can vary with ground conditions, so confirm how the contractor handles a deeper-than-expected well before work begins.
5. Confirm insurance and water testing
A legitimate contractor carries liability insurance and coverage for their crew. For a new or altered well, plan to test the water for bacteria and other parameters before you rely on it for drinking, and ask the contractor how they disinfect the well after construction.
6. Properly abandon any unused well
A well that is no longer used must be properly plugged and sealed by a licensed contractor to protect groundwater. An abandoned well left open is both a safety hazard and a contamination risk, so do not skip this step when decommissioning an old well.
Ready to start? Browse licensed well contractors by Ontario city and use this checklist when you call.