Change Order

What is a change order?

A change order is a document that records a change to work already agreed on. If a client asks for extra outlets, a different finish, or a larger deck after approving your estimate, a change order spells out the new work, the added cost, and any change to the schedule.

Getting changes approved in writing before doing the work protects you from disputes and unpaid extras.

What a change order should include

A clear change order covers:

• Description of the change: What is being added, removed, or modified
• Cost impact: The added or reduced amount, broken into line items where possible
• Schedule impact: Any change to the completion date
• Reference to the original agreement: The contract, quote, or purchase order being amended
• Client approval: A signature or written confirmation before work begins

Need one now? Use the Invoicer change order generator to document scope changes with line items, updated contract totals, and signatures as a PDF.

Billing change orders

Approved change orders are added to the project total. On a job using progress billing, they are usually billed in the next stage invoice. Listing each change order separately on the invoice makes it easy for the client to see why the total has changed.