What it is for
Use it on site, before extra work starts. It records what changed, why, what it costs and the new contract total. The customer signs it before you do the work.
It ties to the hidden damage clause in our roofing contract template: no extra charge without the customer's signature on a change order.
How to use it
- Stop and show the customer what you found, or talk through what they asked for. Take photos.
- Fill in the change order number, the date, the contract number, the job address and the customer.
- Write what changed and what you will do. Tick the reason.
- Fill in the cost lines, the tax and the change total. Then fill in the original contract price and any earlier change orders, and add them up for the new contract price.
- Fill in the days the change adds and the new completion date.
- You and the customer sign and date it. Each of you keeps a copy. Then do the work.
What you fill in
- Change order number, date, contract number, job address and customer
- What changed, and what you will do
- The reason: hidden damage, customer request, code or inspector, material not available, or other
- Photos attached, and how many
- Cost lines: item, quantity, unit, unit price and line total
- Change subtotal, tax and change total
- Original contract price, earlier change orders, this change and the new contract price
- Days added and the new completion date
- Customer and contractor signatures and dates
Questions people ask
What is a change order in roofing?
A change order is a signed, written change to the contract. It records new work, its cost and the new total before the work starts. It keeps you and the customer from an argument at the end.
When do I need a change order?
Use one for any change in cost or scope. Common cases are rotten decking found after tear-off, work the customer adds, and work an inspector requires. Get it signed before you do the extra work.
Can I charge for rotten decking?
Charge for it only when your contract says how you price it and the customer signs a change order first. Put the price per sheet in the contract, so the customer sees it before the job starts. Then the change order needs only the number of sheets.
What if the customer refuses to sign?
Do not do the extra work until you agree. Keep the roof watertight while you talk. Show the photos, explain what you found, and write down any change you agree on. If you cannot agree, follow the disputes section of your contract.
Should I take photos?
Yes. Take photos before and after, and tick the photos box on the form with the number you took. Photos show the customer, and anyone who looks later, why the change was needed.
Related templates
This template is a starting point. Have a lawyer in your state read your final contract.