I'm about to drill a new well on my property in Clackamas County, Oregon, and I've received a quote from a reputable local contractor. The quote is for a 200 ft domestic water well that includes a 1.5 hp 15 GPM FPS sub pump, an 81-gallon pressure tank, and a 160 ft offsite connection, plus the cost of abandoning an old well. The total comes to around $40,106. I'm looking for some feedback on whether this quote seems reasonable. Specifically, I'm curious about:
- Are there any items here that appear overpriced?
- Is there anything that seems padded or unnecessary?
- What kind of pricing have others experienced for similar work recently?
Thanks for your help—just want to make sure we're not getting overcharged!
3 Answers
The going rate around here is about $100/foot for drilling, which puts your quote in a reasonable range for the total. But keep in mind that costs seem to be rising everywhere lately. If you got a well drilled recently, then you probably have a better idea of what’s happening in your area. Just make sure to get a couple more quotes too to really evaluate your options!
For the price breakdown, $3,500 for a 1.5 hp pump does seem a bit high. Also, the $3,500 for abandoning the old well sounds pretty steep. I'd ask for more details on what's included in that—they might be charging extra for equipment removal and filling, which can drive the cost up significantly. While I'm from New England and can't speak to your local rates, it's definitely worth checking if those prices are inflated.
Getting multiple quotes is essential when dealing with a big project like this. Prices can vary quite dramatically based on the provider and location. It might be worth reaching out to at least a few more companies—even if it feels tough to find options in rural areas, sometimes you can find one or two that will give you a competitive price.
Yeah, it's definitely challenging to find contractors in rural areas. But if you can manage to contact a few more, it could save you a decent chunk of change.

Exactly, in these times, it's smarter to compare prices before committing. Even a small difference can mean a lot more savings!