Can a contractor refuse to do additional work without a signed change order?

Yes. Contractors should never begin out-of-scope work without a signed change order. Proceeding with unauthorized work based on a verbal instruction can result in the contractor not being paid, since many contracts include 'no oral modifications' clauses. A signed change order protects both parties.

What happens to the original contract when a change order is signed?

A signed change order modifies the original contract for the specific items covered by the change order. All other terms and conditions of the original contract (payment terms, dispute resolution, warranty, etc.) remain in effect. The revised contract amount replaces the original amount for billing and lien purposes.

Can a change order reduce the contract price?

Yes. Change orders can involve additions (positive cost), deletions (negative cost or credit), or neutral substitutions. A deductive change order reduces the contract price when the client removes previously contracted scope of work. Deductive change orders should also be documented in writing to avoid disputes.

Does a change order extend the completion date?

A change order may extend the project completion date if the additional work requires additional time. The number of additional calendar days should be agreed upon in the change order and the revised completion date calculated accordingly. Changes that add significant scope without adding time can lead to rushed work and quality issues.

Free Change Order — Fill Out & Download Instantly

Free — No Sign-Up RequiredPDF & WordUpdated April 13, 2026

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This template is attorney-reviewed and built to US legal standards. It does not substitute for professional legal advice. For complex situations, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney.

Document Completeness0%

State*

Project Name*

Original Contract Date*

MM/DD/YYYY

Client Name*

Contractor Name*

Change Order Number*

Change Order Date*

MM/DD/YYYY

Description of Change*

Reason for Change*

Additional Cost ($)*

Use negative value for scope reductions (cost credits)

Additional Calendar Days

Revised Total Contract Amount ($)*

Original contract amount plus all approved change orders including this one

Revised Completion Date

MM/DD/YYYY

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════════════════════════════════════════

CHANGE ORDER

════════════════════════════════════════

Change Order No.: [Change Order Number]

Date: [Change Order Date]

Project: [Project Name]

Original Contract Date: [Original Contract Date]

Governing State: [State]

Client: [Client Name]

Contractor: [Contractor Name]

DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

[Description of Change]

Reason for Change: [Reason for Change]

COST AND SCHEDULE IMPACT

Additional Cost / Credit: $[Additional Cost ($)]

Revised Total Contract Amount: $[Revised Total Contract Amount ($)]

AGREEMENT

This Change Order, when signed by both parties, modifies the original contract and all previously executed change orders. All other terms and conditions of the original contract remain in full force and effect.

Work on this change order shall NOT begin until both parties have signed below.

CLIENT:

Signature: _______________________________

Printed Name: [Client Name]

Date: _______________

CONTRACTOR:

Signature: _______________________________

Printed Name: [Contractor Name]

Date: _______________

Retain a copy of this signed change order with the original contract file.

Document Completeness0%

State*

Project Name*

Original Contract Date*

MM/DD/YYYY

Client Name*

Contractor Name*

Change Order Number*

Change Order Date*

MM/DD/YYYY

Description of Change*

Reason for Change*

Additional Cost ($)*

Use negative value for scope reductions (cost credits)

Additional Calendar Days

Revised Total Contract Amount ($)*

Original contract amount plus all approved change orders including this one

Revised Completion Date

MM/DD/YYYY

What Is a Change Order?

A change order is a written amendment to an existing contract that formally documents a modification to the original scope of work, contract price, or completion timeline. Change orders are essential in construction, contracting, and project management — they create a clear paper trail for every deviation from the original agreement and ensure both parties agree on the cost and schedule implications before additional work begins. This template captures the original contract reference, a description of the change, the reason for the change, the additional cost, additional calendar days, the revised contract amount and completion date, and signature blocks for both parties.

When Do You Need It?

A change order should be used whenever a project needs to deviate from the original contracted scope — before the additional work begins, not after. Common triggers include: client-requested changes (additions, modifications, substitutions), discovery of unforeseen conditions (hidden water damage, structural issues, code violations), design errors or omissions discovered during construction, material substitutions, and schedule changes. Best practice is to require signed change orders before proceeding with any out-of-scope work to avoid payment disputes..

What's Included in This Template

State of governing law
Project name and original contract date
Client and contractor names
Change order number and date
Description of the change
Reason for change (client request, unforeseen condition, design error, or other)
Additional cost amount
Additional calendar days
Revised total contract amount
Revised project completion date

How to Fill It Out

Enter Project and Contract Information — Select the governing state and enter the project name, the original contract date, and the names of both the client and contractor. Assign a sequential change order number and the date the change order is being issued.

Describe the Change — In the description of change field, provide a clear, specific description of what is being added, removed, or modified from the original scope of work. Be detailed enough that both parties understand exactly what work is covered by this change order.

Select the Reason and Enter Cost and Schedule Impact — Select the reason for the change from the dropdown. Enter the additional cost (positive for additions, negative for deletions) and the number of additional calendar days added to the project schedule.

Calculate Revised Totals and Sign — Calculate the new contract amount (original contract amount plus all approved change orders to date). Enter the new completion date based on the additional days. Both the client and contractor must sign before additional work proceeds.

Legal Requirements & Notes

A signed change order is a binding amendment to the original contract. No change order work should begin without written authorization from both parties — verbal agreements for additional work are difficult to enforce and frequently lead to payment disputes. Contractors who perform additional work without a signed change order risk not being paid for that work. Many construction contracts include a 'no oral modifications' clause that renders verbal scope changes unenforceable. Document all change orders with a unique sequential number and maintain a change order log for the project. For government contracts, change order procedures are strictly regulated by the applicable procurement regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

A change order should be issued before additional or modified work begins — not after. Any deviation from the original contracted scope, price, or timeline should be documented in a written change order signed by both parties. Work performed without a signed change order risks non-payment disputes and undermines the integrity of the contract.

Free Change Order — Fill Out & Download Instantly

════════════════════════════════════════

CHANGE ORDER

════════════════════════════════════════

DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

COST AND SCHEDULE IMPACT

AGREEMENT

CLIENT:

CONTRACTOR:

What Is a Change Order?

When Do You Need It?

What's Included in This Template

How to Fill It Out

Legal Requirements & Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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