What Skillings & Sons does and who they serve

Skillings & Sons is a water well drilling contractor based in the northeastern United States, primarily serving residential and commercial customers who need new wells drilled, existing wells repaired, or well systems inspected. The company handles the physical work of drilling into bedrock or sand to reach groundwater, then installing the pump, casing, and related equipment that lets you draw water from underground.

They operate in multiple states across New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. If you are considering hiring them, you would contact them directly for a site visit, estimate, and scheduling — they do not operate through a central government program or process process. Your well drilling project is a private contract between you and the company.

Key Takeaways

  • Skillings & Sons drills new wells, repairs existing ones, and inspects well systems for homeowners and businesses in the northeastern United States.
  • A well drilling project begins with a site visit where the company assesses your property, water needs, and soil conditions before providing a cost estimate.
  • The drilling process itself typically takes one to three days depending on depth, rock type, and whether complications arise underground.
  • After drilling, the well must be developed (flushed and tested) and connected to a pump and pressure tank before water is ready to use.
  • Well drilling costs vary widely based on depth, location, rock type, and local regulations, so getting multiple estimates is standard practice.

How to contact Skillings & Sons for a well project

To start a project with Skillings & Sons, you call or visit their office to describe your situation — whether you need a new well, repairs to an existing one, or an inspection. A representative will ask about your property location, current water situation (if any), and what you are trying to accomplish. They will schedule a site visit at no charge or for a small fee depending on distance and complexity.

During the site visit, a technician walks your property, looks at soil conditions, checks for underground obstacles, and discusses water volume needs and budget. They then provide a written estimate that includes drilling depth (which they estimate based on local geology and neighboring wells), equipment costs, labor, and any permits or inspections required by your town or county. You are under no obligation to accept the estimate.

What happens during the drilling process

Once you accept an estimate and sign a contract, Skillings & Sons schedules the drilling work. A drilling rig arrives at your property — this is a truck-mounted machine with a tall mast that rotates a drill bit into the ground. The crew drills down through soil and rock layers until they hit a water-bearing formation (an aquifer). The depth varies by location; some wells are 25 feet deep, others 300 feet or more.

As the drill goes down, the crew pulls out rock cuttings and monitors water flow. If they hit water at a shallower depth than expected, they may stop there. If they need to go deeper, they continue drilling. Once they reach adequate water flow, they pull the drill bit out and install steel or plastic casing (pipe) down the hole to prevent contamination and collapse. The space between the casing and the rock wall is sealed with grout.

The drilling itself usually takes one to three days, depending on depth, rock hardness, and whether unexpected conditions (like hitting a boulder or dry layer) slow progress. After drilling stops, the well must be developed — the crew pumps water out repeatedly to flush sediment and clear the formation, which can take several hours to a full day.

Equipment installed after drilling is complete

A drilled well by itself is just a hole with water in it. To use that water, Skillings & Sons (or a separate contractor, depending on your contract) installs a submersible pump — an electric pump that sits inside the well casing and pushes water up to your house. The pump connects to a pressure tank (a large tank that stores pressurized water and keeps the pump from running constantly) and a pressure switch that turns the pump on and off based on water demand.

The system also includes a check valve (prevents water from flowing backward into the well), a pitless adapter (lets the water line exit the well below the frost line so it does not freeze), and often a water filter or treatment system if testing shows the water needs it. All of this connects to your home's plumbing. Skillings & Sons may install all of this or coordinate with a plumber; your contract will specify who does what.

Testing and permits required by your town or county

Most towns and counties require a water test before you can legally use a new well. This test checks for bacteria, nitrates, pH, hardness, and other contaminants. Skillings & Sons typically arranges for a certified lab to collect and test a sample after the well is developed. Results come back in a few days to a week. If the water passes, you receive a permit or certificate from your local health department.

Some areas also require a well drilling permit before work begins — your town or county issues this after reviewing the proposed location and depth. Skillings & Sons usually handles obtaining this permit as part of the project, though the cost may be added to your estimate. A few locations require a licensed well driller to perform the work; in those states, Skillings & Sons employees hold the required licenses.

Cost factors and why estimates vary

Well drilling costs depend on several things that change from property to property. Depth is the biggest factor — drilling 100 feet costs less than drilling 300 feet because it takes less time and uses less fuel and casing. Rock type matters too — drilling through soft sand is faster than drilling through granite or slate, which can break drill bits and slow progress. Location affects price because travel time, local labor rates, and permit costs vary by region.

Whether you need a new well or repairs to an existing one also changes the cost. A new well includes drilling, casing, grouting, pump installation, and testing. A repair might be just replacing a pump, fixing a pressure tank, or clearing a clogged well — these are much cheaper. Getting multiple estimates from different contractors is standard practice and helps you understand the range for your specific property.

Maintenance and long-term well care

After your well is drilled and operational, it requires periodic maintenance to keep working. The pump and pressure tank should be inspected every few years. The pressure tank may need the air charge adjusted or the tank itself replaced after 10 to 15 years. If water quality changes or you notice sediment, the well may need to be redeveloped or the filter replaced.

Skillings & Sons offers maintenance and repair services for wells they have drilled, and they also service wells drilled by other contractors. If your well stops producing water, the pump fails, or water quality declines, you can call them to diagnose the problem and recommend repairs. Keeping records of your well's original depth, pump size, and test results helps any contractor troubleshoot issues faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep will my well need to be?

Depth depends on your location's geology and how deep the water table is in your area. Skillings & Sons estimates depth based on soil maps, neighboring well records, and site conditions. Some wells are 30 feet deep; others are 400 feet. The estimate provided after the site visit will tell you the expected depth for your property.

What if the drill hits rock and cannot go deeper?

If the drill encounters solid bedrock before reaching water, the crew can drill through it — that is what the drill is designed to do. If they reach adequate water flow before hitting bedrock, they stop there. If they drill deep and still find no water, the well is considered unsuccessful, and you would discuss options with Skillings & Sons, which may include drilling elsewhere on your property or exploring other water sources.

Can I use the well water right away after drilling?

No. The well must be tested and pass water quality standards before use. Testing takes a few days to a week. Until results come back and your local health department approves the well, you should not drink the water or use it for cooking. Once approved, the water is safe to use.

What if my property is in a difficult location?

Skillings & Sons can drill in many challenging situations — steep slopes, rocky terrain, near buildings, or in tight spaces. The site visit is when they assess whether the location is feasible and what extra equipment or labor might be needed. Some locations cost more because of access difficulty, but most residential properties can be drilled.

Do I need a permit to drill a well?

Permit requirements vary by town and county. Some areas require a drilling permit before work starts; others do not. Skillings & Sons knows the rules for the areas they serve and will tell you what is needed for your location. Permit costs, if any, are usually included in the estimate.