I'm in Southern New Jersey and am having an open loop system installed that will require 18 gallons per minute at maximum capacity. It will require a source well and a return well, and the approximate depth of the wells will be 100 feet. I've had 4 different contractors give me wildly different quotes on the job, ranging from $4600 to $9600. Now I don't know what to believe. Can anyone out there tell me what should be included in a reasonable quote so I know if I'm comparing apples to apples here? Thanks!

It largely depends on a few variables. What type of drilling is to be done; what type of casing is to be used; what size of well casing; type of pump(s); if it even includes the pump(s); perceived type of drilling circumstances/expected drilling conditions...etc.

Most water well drillers in my area drill for about $35-$40 per foot. However, they don't include the gravel pack, bore hole seal, casing, or pump in that price. By the time people are done with the well, they've paid about $85-$100/foot.

Is a return well even nessessary? I too live in Southern New Jersey (Galloway) and the return water just dumps into the back yard. Even in the cold winter, I can't feel any wetness two feet from where the water discharge is, the ground easily absorbs it. If you ask me, if it's not required by the township codes, it's an unnessessary expense.