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Free Change Order Log Template (Excel) for Construction

A ready-to-use change order log for construction teams. Track every scope change with cost, schedule impact, status, and approval — no signup required.

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Excel (.xlsx) · works in Google Sheets · free, no email required

What's included

  • Pre-formatted change order log with sequential CO numbering
  • Columns for description, reason, cost impact, and schedule impact
  • Status dropdown (draft, submitted, approved, rejected)
  • Requested-by, approved-by, and date-approved tracking
  • Linked RFI column so the change has a paper trail
  • A summary tab that totals approved cost impact

How to use the change order log template

  1. 1. Download and open in Excel or Google Sheets

    The template is a standard .xlsx file. Make one copy per project so contract-value tracking stays in one place.

  2. 2. Log every scope change as it is identified

    Add a row with the description, reason, estimated cost, and schedule impact. Link the originating RFI if there is one.

  3. 3. Track status through approval

    Update status as the change moves from draft to submitted to approved or rejected. Record who approved and when.

  4. 4. Use the totals at pay app time

    The summary tab adds approved cost impact so you are not reconciling three spreadsheets before a pay application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a change order log?
A change order log is the running register of contract modifications — scope, cost, and schedule — on a construction project. It shows what was requested, what was approved, and how the contract value moved.
What should a change order log include?
A useful log includes a CO number, date, description, reason, cost impact, schedule impact, status, requester, approver, approval date, and a link to the originating RFI or field condition.
Is this change order log template free?
Yes. The AECify change order log template is a free Excel (.xlsx) download. No email signup is required.
When should I move off a spreadsheet change order log?
When the scope narrative, cost backup, photos, and approval live in email while the log is a separate spreadsheet. Change order software keeps the documentation and the running contract value together.

Related resources

Outgrowing the spreadsheet?

This spreadsheet works until the cost backup, photos, and approval thread no longer fit in a row. See how AECify's change order management software keeps the log, attachments, and deadlines in one project record.

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