The Complete Guide to Construction Change Orders

A change order documents an agreement to change the contract: scope, price, or time. This placeholder is structured so you can drop in your full narrative and examples later.

Know your contract and notice windows

Read the change article before you need it. Calendar-driven notices prevent avoidable disputes.

Document the delta clearly

A strong CO ties scope to cost and time. Photos, RFI history, and updated drawings all belong in the record.

Align internal approvals

GCs, subs, and owners each have a role. Parallel reviews beat serial bottlenecks when schedules are tight.

Tie changes to the schedule and cost forecast

If the schedule does not move when scope does, the plan is not honest. Make impacts visible in one place.

Close out cleanly

Final account and retainage are smoother when the change log is complete and every party has signed the chain.