Construction Change Order Template
A change order that keeps the contract sum straight: enter the original contract sum, earlier changes and the cost of this change, and the contract sum before and after it is calculated. Owner, contractor and project come from the same project as your contract.
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Change Order
Change Order No. 2
Date: October 10, 2026
Contract: construction contract dated September 5, 2026
Owner: Karen Whitfield, 3914 S. Ridgeview Drive, Spokane, WA 99223
Contractor: Summit Line Builders LLC, 1820 E. Sprague Avenue, Suite 4, Spokane, WA 99202
License or registration no.: SUMMILB812QN
Project: remodel of the existing kitchen, including removal of the existing cabinets, countertops and flooring; new cabinets, quartz countertops and tile backsplash; luxury vinyl plank flooring; relocation of the sink and dishwasher; and new recessed lighting
at 3914 S. Ridgeview Drive, Spokane, WA 99223
The Owner and the Contractor agree to change the contract as described below. The Contractor will not begin the changed work until this change order has been signed by both parties.
1. Description of the Change
Remove approximately 60 square feet of water-damaged subfloor under the former sink location, sister two damaged floor joists, and install new 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor before the new flooring is installed.
2. Reason for the Change
Concealed condition: rot and water damage were found under the old sink cabinet during demolition. The damage was not visible when the contract was signed.
3. Change in the Contract Sum
Original contract sum | $52,368.00 |
Net change by previously authorized change orders | $1,850.00 |
Contract sum prior to this change order | $54,218.00 |
Amount of this change order | $2,640.00 |
New contract sum including this change order | $56,858.00 |
The amount of this change order includes all labor, materials, equipment, overhead, profit and any applicable sales tax for the change. A deduction from the contract sum is shown as a negative amount. Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, the amount of this change order is added to the next payment due under the contract.
4. Change in the Contract Time
Original substantial completion date | November 28, 2026 |
Days added by this change order | 4 calendar days |
Substantial completion date, as adjusted by all change orders including this one | December 2, 2026 |
5. Other Terms
This change order becomes part of the contract. The adjustments of the contract sum and contract time stated above are full compensation for the change described, including its effect on other work and on the schedule. Except as expressly changed by this change order, all terms of the contract remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Signatures
Owner:
______________________________
Karen Whitfield
Date: ____________________
Contractor: Summit Line Builders LLC
______________________________
By: Michael Reyes, Managing Member
Date: ____________________
Architect (if any):
______________________________
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
What it's for
A change order is a written amendment to a construction contract, signed by the owner and the contractor, that changes the scope of work and adjusts the contract price, the completion date or both. It is how added work, deleted work, owner selections and concealed conditions become part of the contract — and how the contractor makes sure the extra work gets paid.
No federal statute governs change orders; the construction contract and state law do. Most contracts require changes to be in writing and signed before the changed work begins, and some state home improvement laws require that as well. The format follows the familiar industry layout: original contract sum, net change by previous change orders, the contract sum before this change, the amount of this change and the new contract sum — plus the adjustment of the contract time.
The sample is a change order on a kitchen remodel after water damage was found under the floor during demolition — a typical concealed condition. It uses the same owner, contractor, project and contract fields as the construction contract template, so in one project the change order fills itself in.
What it should include
- the change order number and date, and the contract it amends
- the owner, the contractor and the project
- a specific description of the changed work
- the reason for the change
- the cost of the change and the new contract sum
- the days added and the new completion date
- a statement that all other contract terms stay in effect, and signatures
How it works
Add the template
In one click — it lands in your account with a sample project, so you see the finished document right away.
Enter your data
Type each detail once in the project and it fills in everywhere it appears in the document. Formulas compute the amounts.
Export PDF or Word
Download the finished document as a PDF to sign or a DOCX to keep editing. For the next client, just change the data.
Frequently asked questions
Why should a change order be signed before the work is done?
Signing first fixes the scope, the price and the time while both parties can still say no. Once the work is in place, an unsigned change tends to become a dispute about whether it was ordered, what it should cost and whether it justified a delay. Most construction contracts, including our construction contract template, require a signed change order before changed work begins, and a contractor who goes ahead without one may be unable to recover the cost.
What if the owner refuses to sign a change order?
The contractor is generally not obliged to perform work outside the original scope without an agreed change, and the owner cannot require extra work for free. If the change is unavoidable — a concealed condition or a code requirement — the contract's concealed conditions and dispute resolution clauses apply: document the condition with photos, notify the owner in writing and follow the contract's procedure. Some contracts require the contractor to proceed with directed work while the price is disputed.
What is the difference between a change order and a construction change directive?
A change order is signed by both the owner and the contractor and records their agreement on the change, the price and the time. A construction change directive, used in standard contract forms on projects with an architect, is a written order from the owner (usually signed by the architect too) that directs the contractor to proceed with a change before the price or time is agreed; the adjustment is settled later and then recorded in a change order.
This template is a general starting point. Draftmill is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice; using a template creates no attorney–client relationship, and we do not guarantee that it is correct or suitable for your situation. Laws differ from state to state — adapt it to your situation, and have important contracts reviewed by an attorney licensed in your state. Terms of Service
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Construction Change Order in minutes, right every time.
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