In short
- What it is: a free, printable 3-page PDF for comparing up to three well drilling bids side by side.
- Pages 1-2: a grid of 19 lines per bid, from the C-57 license check to the final total.
- Page 3: questions to ask every driller, red flags, and room for notes.
- Cost: free to download and print, for personal use.
This free well drilling bid comparison worksheet is for Tulare County and Visalia owners who have two or three written quotes and need to see what each one really includes. Print it, fill in one column per bid, and compare like with like before you sign.
Download the worksheet (PDF, 3 pages)
What the bid grid covers
| Group of lines | What you write down for each bid |
|---|---|
| Who | Driller name, CSLB C-57 license number, whether it is active, who applies for the county permit and who pays |
| The well | Estimated depth and why, price per foot, casing type and diameter, annular seal length |
| Equipment | Pump system, pressure tank and controls, electrical, trenching and plumbing to the house |
| Risk | Water test, what happens if the well is dry or low-yield, old well destruction |
| Terms | Start date and duration, payment schedule, completion report, warranty, total price |
Do not compare totals first. A low total can hide a shorter seal, thinner casing, a missing pump or a permit left to you. Fill every line for every bid, then compare. See how to choose a well driller.
Questions and red flags on page 3
Ask every company
- What is your C-57 license number?
- What depth do you expect, and why?
- Do I need a county permit, and who applies?
- What happens if you find no water, or too little?
- Will you file the completion report and give me a copy?
Walk away if
- There is no C-57 license, or it does not check out on CSLB
- Payment is cash-only or large and upfront
- There is no written quote or contract
- Anyone guarantees water or flow
- You are pushed to skip the permit
How to use it
- Get two or three written quotes
Ask each driller to price the same scope: depth, casing, seal, pump, tank and permit handling.
- Check each license yourself
Look up the C-57 number on the CSLB License Check tool at cslb.ca.gov. Do not rely on a number the company gives you.
- Fill one column per bid
Where a quote is silent, write "not stated" and ask. Silence is not the same as included.
- Compare, then confirm with the county
Permit fees, forms and times change, so confirm them with Tulare County. Our well permit guide lists the starting points.
For planning ranges to judge each bid, see what well drilling costs in Tulare County (all figures are estimates, not quotes).
Planning aid only. The worksheet is not engineering or legal advice. We are a referral service, not a driller, and we do not endorse any company.
Download the free worksheet (PDF)
Next step
If you are ready to get bids, use the form below and tell us about your well. Independent local well drillers may reach out with their own quotes.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the well drilling bid comparison worksheet?
It is a 3-page printable PDF. Pages 1-2 are a grid with one column for each of three bids and 19 lines: driller, C-57 license check, who pulls the permit, depth, cost per foot, casing, seal, pump and tank, electrical, water test, dry-hole terms, old-well destruction, timeline, payment, completion report, warranty and total. Page 3 has questions to ask, red flags and notes.
Is the worksheet free?
Yes. Download it directly from this page and print it. It is for personal use and is a planning aid, not engineering or legal advice.
Does it tell me what a fair price is?
No. It helps you compare bids on the same items. For planning ranges, see our Tulare County well drilling cost guide, and remember every range there is an estimate, not a quote.
Does it replace checking the license and permit with the county?
No. Look up the C-57 license yourself on cslb.ca.gov and confirm permit requirements with Tulare County. We are a referral service, not a driller.