A change order is a written adjustment to the original contract. It can add, remove or revise work, price and schedule. Change orders are not automatically a sign of poor planning, but they should never be informal or unclear.
Common reasons change orders occur
Typical causes include hidden damage, homeowner-requested upgrades, plan revisions, code-required corrections, unavailable materials and conditions that could not be confirmed before demolition.
What a complete change order includes
It should describe the changed work, the price adjustment, any schedule impact, the reason for the change and the approval date. Supporting photos, sketches or product information can reduce confusion.
Approve before work proceeds
Except for urgent safety or property-protection work, added work should be priced and approved before it begins. Verbal requests are difficult to track and can lead to disputes.
Understand credits as well as additions
Removing work may create a credit, but the credit may not equal the original retail value if labor, ordering, restocking or completed preparation is involved. Ask for the calculation in writing.
Track schedule effects
A small design change can affect inspections, ordering and multiple trades. Ask whether the change adds calendar days or moves dependent work.
Maintain a decision log
Keep a simple record of the request, options reviewed, decision maker, approved amount and date. This is especially useful when more than one homeowner is involved.
Limit preventable changes
Finalize layouts and long-lead selections early, review drawings carefully, open walls strategically when feasible and make sure allowances reflect the level of finishes you expect.
ADELIE perspective
Transparency matters most when the project changes. A good change-order process gives the homeowner enough information to make a deliberate decision before cost and schedule are affected.