Construction operations
Construction Change Order Form Template
A construction change order form creates one reviewable record when project scope, price, materials, or timing may change. The useful part is not the blank form itself; it is the sequence from request to review, decision, and distribution.
Construction change order fields
| Field group | What to capture |
|---|---|
| Project reference | Project name, location, customer, contract or job number, and the change-order number. |
| Request details | Who requested the change, the request date, and the reason the change is being considered. |
| Scope description | Specific work, materials, quantities, drawings, exclusions, and affected trade or location. |
| Price effect | Added cost, credit, tax or allowance treatment, and the revised contract total when applicable. |
| Schedule effect | Added or reduced days, milestone changes, dependencies, and the proposed completion date. |
| Supporting files | Photos, sketches, plans, product details, subcontractor quotes, or other review materials. |
| Decision and approval | Requested, under review, approved, or rejected status plus names, dates, signatures, and comments. |
Use the form as a workflow
- Assign a unique change-order number tied to the project record.
- Describe the requested change before pricing or scheduling assumptions are finalized.
- Attach the documents needed for the reviewer to understand the scope.
- Record the proposed price and schedule effects separately.
- Route the request to the people authorized by the project agreement.
- Do not mark the change approved until the required decision is recorded.
- Distribute the final record and retain it with the project documents.
Requested, approved, and completed are different states
- Requested: someone proposed a change, but no approval is implied.
- Under review: pricing, schedule, scope, or authority still needs confirmation.
- Approved: the required parties recorded approval under the project process.
- Completed: the approved work was performed and the project record was updated.
A single “submitted” checkbox can hide these differences. Use explicit statuses and preserve timestamps so the record shows what happened and when.
What this form does not prove
A change-order template does not verify contractor licensing, prove that an approver had authority, amend every contract automatically, or replace legal review. Use official state records for contractor verification and follow the signed agreement governing the project.
Related contractor tools
- Contractor estimate template and intake checklist
- Contractor forms and checklists hub
- Washington contractor lookup guide
- Oregon contractor lookup guide
FAQ
What should a construction change order form include?
Include the project and contract reference, requested change, reason, scope details, price effect, schedule effect, supporting files, decision, approval names, and dates.
When should a contractor use a change order?
Use a change-order workflow when a requested change may alter the agreed scope, materials, price, schedule, or responsibilities. Follow the actual contract and applicable professional guidance.
Is a change order the same as an estimate?
No. An estimate helps price proposed work. A change order records a proposed or approved change to an existing project or agreement.
Does an online form make a change order legally enforceable?
Not by itself. Enforceability depends on the contract, the parties, applicable law, authority to approve, and how the document is completed. This guide is not legal advice.