Construction Change Order Template
Document a change to residential construction scope, price or schedule before the changed work is carried out. Fill the change order online, print the completed form, or download a blank PDF or editable Word file.
This is a general educational template, not a state-specific legal form and not legal advice. Change-order requirements depend on the original contract, project type, state and locality. Check the governing contract and applicable law before relying on this form.
01 — Project and original contract
02 — Change in scope
03 — Price adjustment
Enter prior approved changes as a signed total: use a negative number if prior deductions exceed prior additions.
04 — Schedule adjustment
05 — Attachments and supporting documents
06 — State-specific and project-specific terms
Change-order requirements vary by state and contract. Add only language that applies to the project; do not treat this general template as a substitute for required statutory notices or contract-specific procedures.
07 — Approval
Construction Change Order
General educational template only. State law and the original contract may require different or additional language, notices, signatures or procedures.
1. Project and Original Contract
Change order no.:
Change order date:
Original contract date:
Owner:
Contractor:
Project address:
2. Change in Scope
Title:
Initiated by: owner
Reason / reference:
3. Price Adjustment
| Original contract amount | $0.00 |
|---|---|
| Prior approved changes, net | $0.00 |
| Current change | Addition: $0.00 |
| Revised contract amount | $0.00 |
Payment schedule impact:
4. Schedule Adjustment
Original current completion:
Calendar-day adjustment: 0
Revised completion:
5. Attachments
6. State-Specific and Additional Terms
State / local language or notices:
Additional terms:
7. Approval
BuildIQ · mybuildiq.com · Not legal advice.
What is a construction change order?
A change order records an agreed modification to an existing construction contract. Typical changes include added or deleted work, material substitutions, revised details, cost adjustments and extensions or reductions to the project schedule.
If you do not yet have the underlying agreement, use the BuildIQ Residential Construction Contract Template first.
What should a change order include?
For practical project control, identify the original contract and project, assign a change-order number, describe exactly what is being added, removed or revised, state the price impact, show the effect on the contract total and schedule, identify incorporated drawings or proposals, and record approval by the parties.
Price additions, deductions and no-cost changes
Not every change increases the contract price. This template supports additions, deductions and no-price-change modifications. It also shows the original contract amount, prior approved changes and the revised contract amount so the financial effect is visible in one place.
Schedule changes
A scope change can affect sequencing and completion even when its price is small or zero. Record the number of calendar days added or removed and describe affected milestones instead of leaving the timing effect to a verbal understanding.
Why written approval matters
Requirements are not uniform across the United States, but written documentation is a strong project-control practice and can be mandatory in particular states and contract types. For example, California CSLB guidance says covered home-improvement changes to contract price or scope must be documented in a written change order signed by the customer and contractor before the changed work.
Attach the supporting documents
When the change depends on a drawing, product selection, contractor proposal, estimate, photograph or specification revision, identify that document in the change order and keep it with the signed record. This makes the revised scope easier to verify later.
Carry unresolved work into closeout
If changed work is still incomplete or defective during the final walkthrough, track it in the BuildIQ Construction Punch List Template with a precise location, responsible trade, due date, status and verification record.
PDF, Word or online form?
Use the blank PDF for a fixed printable form. Use the DOCX when you need to edit the blank template in Word or compatible software. Use the online generator when you want the revised contract total and completion date calculated while you complete the form, then print or save the finished change order as PDF.