3 Ways the Architect Can Change a Contractor’s Work
In most commercial construction projects, there are three ways an owner — via the architect — can alter the work of the contract: the architect’s supplemental instructions, change orders, and...
This is the main blog page for articles about change orders in construction. A change order is an agreement that outlines changes to the scope of work on a project. You can browse the articles below to find help with change orders.
Because no two projects are alike, change orders come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re a feature of a large number of construction projects every year. Construction projects seldom go as planned. When changes are proposed, it’s important to get as much detail in writing as possible. Change orders detail those changes, and they could include information like the contract number, everyone’s name and address, the project’s description, the dates of change, the nature of the change, the updated schedule, and, most importantly, the updated value of the contract and the cost of the changes in labor and materials.
A word to the wise: don’t do any work until you have written proof of approval. This decreases your liability and risk of nonpayment on the part of the owner. After you get the change order in writing, include it with the project documents and make sure everyone gets a copy.
Employing change order best practices improves transparency on the project, protects you from nonpayment, decreases your liability, and makes sure everything runs smoothly when pay day rolls around.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for here on the blog, you can get help with change orders on the Expert Center. You can either read the questions that have already been answered, or you can ask a question for yourself, free of charge. With a little time, research, and expert guidance, you can learn to use change orders to get paid every time they come up in your practice.
In most commercial construction projects, there are three ways an owner — via the architect — can alter the work of the contract: the architect’s supplemental instructions, change orders, and...
Once a contract for construction is signed, there are typically only three ways to change the terms: change orders, construction change directives, and architect’s supplemental instructions. What are architect’s supplemental...
A construction project is very complex undertaking, and the only real certainty is that things are going to change along the way. We all know this, yet our understanding of...
When questions or issues arise on a construction project, everyone needs to get on the same page. An RFI, or Request for Information, is an essential tool for effective communication....
A change order is an agreement made during the course of a job that alters one of three things — the cost, the scope, or the schedule. But before a...
Change orders are a critical part of the payment process on a construction project, but they don’t have to be complicated. On this page, you can download free change order...
Anyone in the construction trade knows that schedule delays are part of the gig. In fact, 80 percent of construction businesses expect delays on at least some, if not all,...
The Architect isn’t always the most popular guy on the jobsite. I know, because I am one. And I know it often looks like I’m just being difficult and fussy,...
A dispute over change orders has led to a multi-million lawsuit between Austin-based HVAC contractor Dynamic Systems Inc. and Skanska USA, the Swedish construction firm’s American arm. Skanska, a contractor...
Applying for payment is a process that every contractor must understand from A to Z. In construction, a payment application is the document (or more accurately, packet of documents) that...