Construction Change Order Template

A change order is a formal written agreement between the property owner and contractor to modify the original scope, cost, or timeline of a construction project after the contract has been signed. Changes are common on construction projects of all sizes. Unforeseen site conditions, design revisions, owner-requested additions, and code compliance issues can all trigger the need for a change order. Documenting these changes properly is essential to avoid disputes over what work was authorized, how much it costs, and how it affects the project schedule.

The change order process typically begins when one party identifies a need for work that falls outside the original contract scope. The contractor prepares a change order proposal detailing the additional or modified work, the cost impact including labor, materials, and markup, and any schedule adjustment required. The owner reviews the proposal, negotiates if necessary, and both parties sign the change order before the changed work begins. This signed document then becomes a formal amendment to the original contract and is referenced in all subsequent pay applications and invoices.

Our construction change order template includes all the standard fields expected in the industry: the original contract amount, the change order number in sequence, a detailed description of the changed work, itemized cost breakdown for labor and materials, the resulting new contract total, any time extension granted, and signature lines for both the owner and contractor with dates. The template also includes space for referencing related documents such as revised drawings, requests for information, or field directives that prompted the change. Using a consistent change order format across all your projects creates a clear paper trail that protects both parties and simplifies project accounting.