Template Guide
Construction Change Order
What to include in a professional change order to protect your business
Undocumented scope changes are one of the most common causes of contractor disputes and unpaid work. A clear, signed change order protects you and maintains trust with your customer. Here's what every change order must include.
1Header Information
- Company name and license number
- Change order number (sequential)
- Original contract reference number
- Change order date
- Customer name and project address
2Change Description
- Clear description of what is being added, removed, or changed
- Reason for the change (discovered during project, customer request, etc.)
- Which section of original contract this affects
- Photos of condition requiring the change (if applicable)
3Cost Impact
- Materials cost for the change
- Labor cost for the change
- Equipment cost (if applicable)
- New change order total
- Running project total (original contract + all change orders to date)
4Time Impact
- Additional days required (if any)
- New projected completion date
- Impact on other trades or project phases
5Approvals
- Customer signature and date
- Contractor signature and date
- Customer acknowledgment that work will not begin until signed
- Payment terms for the change (added to final payment, immediate deposit, etc.)
6Attachments
- Photos of condition requiring change
- Material spec sheet (if new material added)
- Revised project schedule (if timeline impacted)
💡 Pro Tip
Never start additional work without a signed change order. Even if the customer agrees verbally, verbal agreements are difficult to enforce. A quick email confirmation is the minimum — a signed document is the standard.
Questions? We're here to help.
Contact Mikro Rentals — we specialize in equipment that makes your projects more professional.