Change Order (Variation)
A change order is a written record that the job grew past the original quote, and what the new price is. Get it agreed to — a signed form, or just a text — before you do the extra work, not on the final invoice.
What it means
Almost every job changes once you’re actually inside it — a wall needs more prep than expected, a client adds a request mid-job. A change order is just the paper trail for that: what changed, why, and the new number. It doesn’t need to be formal. A one-line text that says “this adds $180, reply yes to go ahead” counts.
The value isn’t the paperwork, it’s the timing. Priced and agreed to before you do the work, it’s a normal part of the job. Discovered for the first time on the final invoice, it’s a dispute waiting to happen — and “but you agreed to this on site” is a much weaker argument than a text message that says so.
Halfway through a kitchen job, the client asks for an extra shelf. You text: “Adding the shelf — extra $65 for materials and time, OK to go ahead?” They reply “yes.” That text is your change order.
Doing the extra work first because saying no on-site feels awkward, then hoping the client won’t push back when the higher number shows up on the invoice.
See also
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