How to Choose a Bore Drilling Company in WA: Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Getting a few quotes before drilling a bore is easy. Knowing which company is actually worth hiring is harder, especially when every quote looks reasonable on paper and every company says they're experienced.
This guide sets out the questions worth asking before you sign anything, along with what a good answer (and a concerning one) actually sounds like. None of this is about picking the cheapest option. It's about avoiding the more expensive mistake of a poorly constructed bore that needs fixing, or redrilling, within a few years.
Why the Company You Choose Matters More Than the Price
A bore is meant to last decades. Our earlier guide on how long a garden bore lasts, available on the Australind WBC blog, covers this in more detail, but the short version is that a properly constructed bore can perform well for 20 to 50 years or more, while a poorly constructed one can develop problems (screen blockage, sand ingress, reduced yield) far sooner.
The company doing the drilling determines which outcome you get. A slightly higher quote from an experienced, properly licensed driller is often the better long-term value, even though it doesn't look that way on the initial invoice.
Question 1: Are You Licensed to Drill in WA?
This should be the first question, and a reputable company will answer it without hesitation.
In Western Australia, driller licensing is administered through the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA), which issues waterwell drilling permits based on national licensing standards. Ask to see the permit rather than taking a verbal assurance, and don't be shy about it. A properly licensed company expects this question and won't be offended by it.
Question 2: What Class of Licence Do You Hold, and Does It Match My Bore?
Not all driller permits are equal, and this is where a lot of homeworks skip an important detail.
Licence classes generally correspond to the type of aquifer being drilled:
Class 1: single non-flowing (unconfined/water table) aquifers, the most common category for garden bores
Class 2: multiple non-flowing (confined) aquifer systems, which require additional skill to avoid cross-contamination between aquifers
Class 3: flowing (artesian) aquifers, the highest skill and knowledge requirement
A driller isn't permitted to work outside the class they hold unless supervised by someone who does. If your property sits above a more complex groundwater system, it's worth confirming the company's licence class actually covers it, rather than assuming any driller can handle any bore.
Question 3: Can You Show Me Local Bore Records or References?
Groundwater conditions vary significantly across the South West, and a company with genuine regional experience should be able to speak specifically to your area, not just in general terms.
Ask for:
References from similar properties nearby, ideally in the same suburb or a comparable one
An honest view on what to expect for your specific location, including whether you're west or east of the Darling Scarp, since this affects drilling depth and success rate considerably
Examples of past work in your council area
A company that can only offer generic answers about "WA groundwater" without getting specific about your suburb hasn't necessarily done the work locally.
Question 4: What Does Your Quote Actually Include?
A proper quote should break down each cost component clearly, not just show one lump figure.
| Component | Should Be Itemised |
|---|---|
| Drilling (per metre) | Yes, with an estimated depth range |
| Casing and screens | Yes |
| Pump system | Yes, with the pump type specified |
| Electrical connection | Yes |
| Site access/preparation | Should be mentioned if relevant |
| Licensing assistance | Should be clarified either way |
Ask what's excluded as well as what's included. A quote that looks unusually low compared to others is often missing something, whether that's the pump, the electrical work, or an allowance for unexpected ground conditions.
Question 5: Do You Carry Insurance, and Can I See It?
This is standard practice with any trade, not a sign of distrust. Consumer Protection WA's guidance on hiring tradespeople specifically recommends asking to see a copy of public liability insurance before work begins, alongside getting multiple written quotes and checking recent references.
A reputable bore drilling company will have this readily available. Reluctance to provide it, or vague answers about "being covered," is worth treating as a signal to look elsewhere.
Question 6: What Happens If You Don't Hit Water?
Drilling doesn't guarantee a result every time, particularly outside high-success zones. A reputable company will be upfront about this before you sign, not after the drill rig has already been paid for.
Ask specifically:
What happens if the bore doesn't produce the expected yield
Whether there's a dry hole fee, and how it compares to the full project cost
Whether the company offers any site assessment beforehand to reduce this risk, particularly relevant for properties outside the most reliable groundwater areas
Question 7: Who Handles Licensing and Compliance on My Property?
Depending on your property and intended use, a 26D or 5C licence may be required before or alongside drilling. Our earlier guide on whether you need a licence to drill a bore in WA, also on the Australind WBC blog, covers this in detail, but the practical question here is simpler: does this company help identify and manage that requirement, or leave it entirely to you?
Neither answer is necessarily wrong, but you should know which one you're getting before the project starts, not partway through.
Red Flags to Watch For
A few warning signs are worth taking seriously regardless of how good the sales pitch sounds:
No written quote, or reluctance to put pricing in writing
Refusal or hesitation to show licence, permit or insurance details
Pressure to sign immediately, especially with a discount tied to same-day commitment
Vague answers about local experience when asked for specifics
None of these guarantee a bad outcome on their own, but more than one together is a reasonable reason to get another quote elsewhere.
How Australind WBC Answers These Questions
We'd rather you ask these questions of every company you're considering, including us.
For our part:
We hold current WA drilling permits through ADIA, and we're happy to show them
We provide itemised quotes covering drilling, casing, pump and electrical work, with nothing hidden in a lump sum
We carry public liability insurance and can provide details on request
We're upfront about groundwater conditions specific to your property, including whether you're in one of the higher-success zones west of the Darling Scarp
You can learn more about our water bore drilling services or request a property assessment and quote to see how we answer these questions in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get before choosing a bore driller?
At least two or three is reasonable, which also gives you a sense of whether one quote is unusually low or high compared to the others.
Is the cheapest quote ever the right choice?
Sometimes, but only if it includes the same scope of work as the other quotes. A lower price that excludes the pump, electrical connection, or proper casing isn't actually cheaper once those costs are added back in.
What's the difference between a driller's licence and a business licence?
A driller's permit (administered through ADIA in WA) certifies the individual's competency to drill within a specific licence class. A business registration is separate and doesn't confirm drilling competency on its own, so it's worth checking both.
Should I get everything in writing?
Yes. A written quote protects both parties and makes it much easier to confirm exactly what was agreed if a dispute comes up later.
Final Summary
So, how do you choose a bore drilling company in WA?
Ask before you sign, not after work has already started
Confirm licensing through ADIA and check it matches the aquifer type for your property
Get an itemised quote, not a single lump figure
Ask about insurance, dry hole policy and licensing assistance as standard, not exceptional, questions
Watch for red flags, particularly pressure tactics and reluctance to provide documentation
A reputable company will welcome these questions. If a company seems uncomfortable answering any of them, that's useful information in itself.