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Change Order Form template

A change order documents an agreed change to an existing contract's scope of work, and the resulting adjustment to price and schedule, so both parties sign off before the extra work begins.

A change order is a short signed document that modifies an existing contract by describing added, removed, or changed work, along with its effect on the price and schedule. You need one every time the scope of a construction, design, or service job changes after the original contract was signed.

Use this template — sign onlineOpens as a ready-to-send document with signature fields placed.
Replace everything in [BRACKETS], export to PDF, then send it for signature.

1. Change Order Details

Change Order No.: [NUMBER] Date: [DATE] Project: [PROJECT NAME] Project address: [ADDRESS] Original contract: [CONTRACT TITLE] dated [CONTRACT DATE] (the "Contract")

2. Parties

This Change Order is made between [OWNER / CLIENT NAME], of [ADDRESS] (the "Owner"), and [CONTRACTOR / PROVIDER NAME], of [ADDRESS] (the "Contractor"), who are parties to the Contract.

3. Requested By and Reason

This change was requested by [OWNER / CONTRACTOR / ARCHITECT] because [REASON, e.g. owner requested upgraded fixtures / concealed water damage was discovered / code inspector required additional work].

4. Description of Change

The scope of work under the Contract is changed as follows: [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WORK ADDED, REMOVED, OR MODIFIED, including materials, quantities, and specifications]. Supporting documents: [DRAWINGS / QUOTES / PHOTOS ATTACHED].

5. Price Adjustment

Original contract price: [AMOUNT] Net change from previous change orders: [AMOUNT] Contract price before this change order: [AMOUNT] This change order: [INCREASE / DECREASE] of [AMOUNT] New contract price: [AMOUNT] The change amount is based on [LUMP SUM / TIME AND MATERIALS AT RATES / UNIT PRICES].

6. Payment Terms

Payment for this change will be made [WITH THE NEXT PROGRESS PAYMENT / AS A DEPOSIT OF AMOUNT BEFORE WORK BEGINS / ON COMPLETION OF THE CHANGE].

7. Schedule Adjustment

The contract completion date is [EXTENDED BY NUMBER DAYS / UNCHANGED]. New completion date: [DATE].

8. Effect on the Contract

Except as modified by this Change Order, all terms of the Contract remain in full force and effect. If there is a conflict between this Change Order and the Contract, this Change Order controls for the change described. The Contractor will not begin the changed work until this Change Order is signed by both parties, unless an emergency requires immediate action to protect people or property.

9. Governing Law

This Change Order is governed by the same law as the Contract, being the laws of [GOVERNING LAW JURISDICTION].

10. Signatures

The parties agree that this Change Order may be signed electronically, and that electronic signatures have the same effect as handwritten signatures. OWNER: [OWNER / CLIENT NAME] Signature: ____________________ Date: [DATE] CONTRACTOR: [CONTRACTOR / PROVIDER NAME] Signature: ____________________ Name: [SIGNATORY NAME] Date: [DATE]

Our take: Our take: the rule is simple and often broken: no signature, no extra work. Verbal "just add it" requests become unpaid invoices and disputes at the end of the job. Number each change order, reference the original contract, and state the new total contract price, not just the delta, so anyone can see where things stand. People forget the schedule impact; if the extra work adds days, write them in. Sending it for e-signature from the site takes a minute. It pairs with our construction contract and home improvement contract.

When should you use a change order form?

  • When a client asks for extra work not in the original construction contract
  • When unforeseen site conditions require additional work or materials
  • When materials or specifications are substituted
  • For scope changes on software, design, or other service projects

How do you fill in this template?

  1. Number the change order and reference the original contract by title and date.
  2. Explain who requested the change and why, then describe exactly what work is added or removed.
  3. Fill in the price breakdown so the new contract price is clear, and set how the change will be paid.
  4. State any change to the completion date.
  5. Upload the change order to eSignSimple and send it to both parties for e-signature before starting the extra work.

How do you get it signed online?

  1. Save it as Word or PDF. Paste the filled-in text into Word or Google Docs and keep it as a .docx file, or export it as a PDF. eSignSimple accepts both, plus DOC, ODT and RTF, up to 25 MB; Word files are converted to PDF on upload.
  2. Upload and place the fields. Sign up with Google, upload the file and drag signature, initials, date and text fields onto the page for each signer. Set a signing order if one party must sign first.
  3. Send it for signature. Each signer gets a private link and signs in the browser without creating an account. Automatic email reminders go out every three days (up to three) until everyone has signed.
  4. Keep the signed copy. When the last person signs, everyone can download the final PDF with a certificate of completion, an audit trail and a SHA-256 fingerprint you can verify later.

Signing on your own device only? The guide to signing a PDF covers the free built-in options, and the security page explains how signed files are stored and verified.

This template is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and state; have a lawyer review contracts with high stakes.

Written by Buğra Sözeri, founder and editor, eSignSimple · Last reviewed

Buğra builds eSignSimple and writes and maintains its guides. He researches each legal page against the official texts linked on it and updates pages when the law or the product changes. He is not a lawyer, and nothing here is legal advice. About eSignSimple

Frequently asked questions

What is a change order in construction?

It is a written amendment to a construction contract that records changes to the scope of work, price, or schedule, signed by both parties.

Should work start before a change order is signed?

Generally no. Starting without a signed change order is a common source of payment disputes. Emergencies that threaten safety or property are a usual exception.

Can a change order reduce the contract price?

Yes. A change order can remove work or substitute cheaper materials, producing a credit to the owner.

How can I get change orders signed quickly on site?

Send the change order through eSignSimple. The client can sign from their phone without an account, and the audit trail shows when it was approved.

Can a change order be signed electronically?

Yes. Upload your Word or PDF version, place signature and date fields, and send it; signers open a link and sign on any device without creating an account. eSignSimple adds an audit trail and certificate of completion. That makes it practical to approve changes the same day on site.

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