Change Order Template
Document a scope change the right way. Fill in the change, cost, and schedule impact, then copy or download — and get it signed before the work proceeds.
Fill in the details
CHANGE ORDER Change Order No.: [CO-###] Date: [date] Project: [project] Contractor: [Contractor] Owner / GC: [Owner / GC] 1. DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE [Describe the added, deleted, or modified work.] 2. REASON [e.g., owner request, field condition, RFI response] 3. ADJUSTMENT TO CONTRACT PRICE Original contract amount: [$ original amount] This change order: [+/- $ amount] Revised contract amount: $ ______________ (original +/- this change order) 4. ADJUSTMENT TO SCHEDULE Schedule impact: [+/- working days] Revised completion date: ______________ 5. TERMS This Change Order modifies the referenced contract only as to the work, price, and schedule stated above. All other terms of the contract remain in full force. The adjusted price is full compensation for the changed work, including labor, materials, equipment, overhead, and profit. Work on this change shall not proceed until this Change Order is signed by both parties. APPROVED — CONTRACTOR APPROVED — OWNER / GC ____________________________ ____________________________ [Contractor] [Owner / GC] By: ________________________ By: ________________________ Date: ______________________ Date: ______________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: General template, not legal advice. Verbal changes are not binding — get every change in writing and signed before the affected work proceeds.
Get every change in writing — before it's done
Verbal changes are where trade margin disappears. Learn the full process in handling change orders without losing money, and lock the base deal first with the subcontractor agreement template.
Common questions
What is a change order in construction?
A change order is a written, signed amendment to a contract that documents added, deleted, or modified work along with the resulting change to price and schedule. It's how you keep scope changes from quietly eating your margin or blowing the timeline.
What should a change order include?
The change order number and date, the project and parties, a clear description of the changed work, the reason, the adjustment to the contract price, the schedule impact, and signature lines for both parties. Work on the change shouldn't start until it's signed.
Why are verbal change orders a problem?
Because they're not enforceable and not memorable. "Just add a couple circuits" becomes a dispute at invoice time. Putting every change in writing — even a one-page change order — protects both the price you'll be paid and the relationship.
Keep every commitment accountable
On SKILLS, Work Agreements are immutable and audit-logged, and changes are tracked. Free for 3 months, then $99/year.