Guide · Changes
How to control contractor change orders
The short answer
Do not approve changed work from a hallway conversation. A change order should identify the original contract, describe the added or removed work, show the price calculation and schedule effect, and carry required signatures before work begins. Document emergencies immediately afterward and keep every version with the contract.
Editorial status: source-checked on 2026-08-22; not reviewed by a lawyer, licensing authority, engineer or trade professional. United States; contract and change-order formalities vary.
Define and price the whole change
Identify whether the change comes from a concealed condition, owner choice or error, and whether the original scope already covers it. Ask for photos before the condition is hidden. Show labor, materials, credits, markups, taxes if applicable, the new total and the completion-date effect.
- Contract and change-order number
- Reason and exact changed scope
- Added price and credits
- New total and payment milestone
- Schedule and permit effect
- Required approvals
Keep the audit trail
California consumer guidance specifically says changes should be written as change orders; other states may impose different rules. Store signed orders with texts, photos and invoices. Reconcile every approved change against the final bill.
Sources
Primary government and consumer-protection sources checked for this guide:
- What Should I Look for in a Contract and Binding Agreements?, California Contractors State License Board. Accessed .
- How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed .