Cluff Brothers Drilling · Southern Utah & Arizona
Well drilling questions.
Clearer next steps.
A practical starting point for your property, your water needs and the work ahead. Explore the questions below, then talk with us about the details that make your project different.
01 / Planning
Before you drill
What information should I gather before contacting you?
Start with the property address or parcel reference, your intended water use, access directions and your preferred timing. Include any existing well records or water-right information you already have. You do not need to know the final drilling depth to begin a conversation.
Can I plan a well before buying land or building a home?
Yes—start asking questions early. A property listing or a nearby well is not confirmation that your parcel can support the project you have in mind. Check the parcel's water-use requirements with the appropriate authorities and discuss site access and your intended use before committing to a construction schedule.
Do you drill in my area and for my type of project?
Cluff Brothers Drilling serves Southern Utah and Arizona with residential, agricultural, irrigation, livestock, commercial and replacement well drilling. Shared and deep well projects can also be discussed. Availability and scope depend on the exact property—not just the nearest city.
What should I tell you about access to the property?
Describe the approach road, gates, slopes, tight turns, overhead obstructions and any seasonal access limitations. Tell us about nearby buildings, utilities and septic features. Ask what access and working space the proposed equipment will need before clearing or grading the site.
02 / The work ahead
The drilling process
What happens between the first call and drilling?
The first conversation establishes location, intended use and the information still needed. The next steps are to clarify the proposed work, estimate, responsibilities and scheduling. Confirm the required approvals and site preparation before work begins; the sequence depends on your project.
How deep will the well be, and how much water will it produce?
There is no single depth or yield that applies to every property. Nearby well records can inform a discussion, but they do not guarantee the same conditions on your land. Ask how depth assumptions, changing conditions and findings during drilling will be handled in your project scope.
How long does a well project take?
Separate time for planning and approvals from equipment scheduling and the drilling itself. Access, site conditions and the work required can affect the sequence. Share your desired date early, but confirm a project-specific schedule rather than relying on a general online timeline.
Does a completed well mean the water is ready for every use?
Do not assume drilling alone establishes water quality, a particular yield or a complete water-delivery system. Before accepting a scope, ask what testing, equipment, connections and documentation are included, what remains outside the drilling work and who is responsible for each next step.
03 / Budgeting
Understanding cost factors
Why isn't there one standard price for drilling a well?
The scope is property-specific. Depth, ground conditions, well construction requirements, access and equipment mobilization can all affect the work. A useful estimate states its assumptions and exclusions instead of treating every property as the same job.
What should I compare in two well-drilling estimates?
Compare the proposed work, depth assumptions, materials, site preparation, testing and records—not just the total. Ask whether approvals, pumps, power, water lines or other connections are included or separate. Confirm how additional work is discussed and authorized before it occurs.
Can you give me an estimate without a finished project plan?
Start with what you know: location, intended use, access and timing. Explain which decisions are still open. The conversation can identify missing information and the scope that needs to be clarified before a meaningful estimate is prepared.
04 / A well already on the property
Existing wells
Does a change in my existing well mean I need a replacement?
Not necessarily. A change in supply or performance does not, by itself, identify the cause or establish that a new well is the right next step. Gather the well's records and a description of what changed. Discuss your situation and confirm which services are appropriate and available before deciding on replacement drilling.
Which existing-well records are useful?
Bring the well log, location, known depth, previous work records and any available test results. Note when you first noticed a change and whether the intended use of the property has changed. If records are missing, the state resources below are a useful place to begin looking.
Can an old well simply be left when a new one is drilled?
Do not assume that an unused well can be left as-is. Ask the state well program and your contractor what requirements apply to the existing well and whether any closure work is part of the proposed scope. Keep the new-well plan and the old-well responsibilities clear.
05 / Official starting points
Utah & Arizona resources
Where should I start with Utah well requirements?
The Utah Division of Water Rights is the official starting point for water-right and well-construction questions. Its well information page explains licensing, construction rules and available well records. Confirm the water right and drilling authorization applicable to your parcel and intended use before scheduling work.
Where should I start with Arizona well requirements?
The Arizona Department of Water Resources states that a Notice of Intent to Drill must be filed before drilling a new well or deepening or modifying an existing one, and a licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work. Ask ADWR which approvals apply to your location and well type; a filing is not a promise that every proposed use is allowed.
Are the same rules used for every property?
No. State, location, intended water use and the type of work matter. Use official guidance for your specific project and check applicable local requirements as well. This FAQ is a planning resource, not a determination of water rights, permit eligibility or legal compliance.
Official resources reviewed October 22, 2026. Requirements can change; confirm current guidance directly with the relevant agency.