When a technical report is to be prepared by an employee of the state of Washington, the administrator shall estimate the expense of making such report and notify the applicant thereof. Before any preparation of the technical report is commenced, the applicant shall deposit with the administrator the estimate cost thereof in cash, accompanied by written instructions authorizing the disbursement of the funds. If it appears that the expense of preparing the report will exceed the estimate, an additional deposit may be required before the report is filed. When the deposit exceeds the actual expense incurred in preparing the report, the excess will be returned to the applicant.