Bill from well driller higher than "estimate" - need advice

Post Reply | Watch this Post

My bid, which the well driller claims is an estimate, was $18,526. He quoted 560 ft deep, a 2 hp motor and controls and 7 yds of grout. Now the bill came, which highlighted 575 ft deep ($18.50 per ft), a 3 hp motor and controls, and 8.5 yds of grout, with a price tag of $19,845.

When I questioned him on it, he claims that a 3 hp motor would not adequately work considering the water depth once he dug the well. He said that he didn't know that he would need a 3 hp when bidding. I feel this is wrong, especially when this guy has been doing a lot of wells in this area, knows how deep the water should be in the area, and has been in business for over 100 years.

He said that he's not lowering his bill and an estimate is an estimate (it says "estimate" on his bid). I asked him how he would feel if he needed plumbing work done and the plumber first quoted $1000, but then when he got done, he gave him a bill for $1700 - he didn't have an answer and it made him mad.

I'm not happy with a $1300 overage, especially when I have to close out my loan this week with no more allowance allowed.

I was wondering if I could get some advice on how to handle this "estimate" and bill situation. Has this happened to anyone doing a well and how did you handle the well overage? I know how I'm going to have to handle the bank if I can't get some concession out of the well driller, but are there any well contractors out there that can comment? How do the General Contractors deal with this? thanks.