Promising
Why changes happen
Drawings get revised, owners add rooms, conditions differ from what was shown, and inspectors ask for corrections. A change order is the written way to adjust the price and schedule for those changes.
What a good change order includes
It should describe the change, the affected areas, the added or removed scope, the price and any schedule impact, and it should be signed before the work proceeds.
- Clear description tied to a drawing revision or RFI
- Quantities and pricing basis
- Schedule impact, if any
- Approval from the GC or owner before the work starts
How to keep them small
Bid with clear inclusions and exclusions, raise conflicts in the drawings early, and answer RFIs quickly. Most large change orders come from unclear scope rather than from the work itself.
Document as you go
Keep photos, dated notes and revised drawings. When a change is disputed, the record settles it faster than memory.
Also see: What a GC needs in a bidWhat drives costAll articles
Before you send the plans
Have a question we didn't answer? Call (954) 416-0828 or email info@promisinginteriors.com.
Should I start work before a change order is signed?
Best practice is to get written approval first. If the schedule demands otherwise, get a written direction to proceed and follow up with the change order.
Who pays for unforeseen conditions?
That depends on the contract. Read the subcontract terms and raise the issue as soon as it is found.
How fast should a change order be priced?
Quickly, while the work is still fresh. Delays make pricing harder to agree on.
Send us your plans.
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