Well drilling questions, answered
Straight answers about well drilling around Knoxville and about how this free matching service works.
Are you a well drilling company?
No. KnoxvilleWellDrilling.com is a free matching service run by Voraus LLC. We pass your request to an independent local well driller, who quotes and does the work under their own contract. We ask drillers to confirm their state licensing, and you should verify it too.
Does this service cost me anything?
No. It's free for property owners. Drillers may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything, and you're free to get other quotes.
How deep will my well be?
No one can promise a depth in advance. In the Knoxville area's fractured bedrock, depths vary a lot even between neighbors. A local driller can give you a realistic range based on nearby wells.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Tennessee?
A Notice of Intent must be filed with TDEC before a water well is drilled, either by you or by the licensed driller on your behalf, and the driller must file a completion report afterward. Some counties have additional health department requirements. Your driller will know what applies.
How far does a well need to be from my septic system?
State rules and local health departments set minimum separation distances between wells and septic systems. Your driller and septic designer should coordinate placement.
How long does drilling take?
The drilling itself often takes a day or two once the rig is on site. Scheduling, the pump installation and connection to the house add time.
What if the driller doesn't hit enough water?
Ask before you sign. Options can include drilling deeper, hydrofracturing the existing hole, adding storage, or drilling elsewhere. Get the pricing for these scenarios in writing.
Should I test my water?
Yes. Test a new well for bacteria and basic quality before drinking it, and test existing wells periodically or whenever taste, smell or appearance changes.
Can you help if my pump stopped working?
Yes. Choose pump or repair in the form and we'll pass it to a local driller or pump installer who handles service calls.
How do I stop communications?
Reply "stop" to any email from us or use the contact in our privacy policy, and we'll stop contacting you and stop sharing your request.
Licensing and what to check
In Tennessee, water well drillers and pump installers must be licensed through TDEC's Division of Water Resources, and licenses are renewed annually. Before you hire, ask for the driller's license number and check it against TDEC's licensed driller list. We ask drillers to confirm they hold a current license, but we don't verify licenses ourselves, so please check it yourself.
We don't drill, inspect or warranty any work, and a match isn't an endorsement. Ask for a written estimate that explains per-foot pricing, casing, grouting and what happens if water is not found at the expected depth.
Questions worth asking a well driller
- What is your TDEC license number, and will you file the Notice of Intent?
- What depths and yields are typical for wells near my property?
- How do you price per foot, and is there a maximum depth before we talk again?
- How much casing do you expect, and how is it grouted?
- Are the pump, pressure tank, trenching and electrical included?
- Do you disinfect the well and recommend a lab for water testing?
Ready to get your well drilling project moving?
You don't need technical details to start. Something like "new house on 5 acres near Maryville, no city water, want water before spring" is enough for a driller to begin the conversation.