I’m the contractor. Can I make a deductive change order, due to time constraints, and owner made design changes without compensation?
1 reply
May 1, 2020
Deductive change orders are change orders that actually reduce the scope of work and the price. So, if you're looking to charge an owner for accelerating work and design changes - that'd be done via a regular change order rather than a deductive change order.
With that being said, if an owner has adjusted the contract you agreed to, then their contractor is absolutely entitled to charge them for those changes. If the contract designates a specific way to execute change orders, then that process should be followed. But, even if there isn't a set change order process, it's a good idea to provide change orders in writing and to get the owner's signature. And, calmly discussing the change order with the owner before sending them a bill out of the blue will help to avoid a payment dispute. Otherwise, they may respond negatively to the changes or may even refuse to pay.
For more discussion on change orders, this article should be really useful: Change Order Form — Free Template Download and Best Practices.