Project deliverables, expenditures, and change orders are significant matters when talking about construction projects with clients. Thus, as a contractor, it is your responsibility to take control of your client's expectations. To help you get ready with possible changes, check out our Free Ready-Made Construction Change Order Templates in Word. These professionally designed templates are all 100% customizable, easily editable, and printable in any device that has access to the software anytime, anywhere! What else are you looking for? Get this template today and take your client's needs to the next level!
How to Create a Construction Change Order in Microsoft Word
Planning and executing everyday decisions are some of the main challenges made by construction experts in every construction project. And most of the time, it is because of the circumstances and expenses acquired. Moreover, these arrangements can be subject to changes. According to research from Science Direct, there is an 11 to 15 percent cost overrun of change orders from the first contract in big projects while 10 to 20 percent schedule overrun of the initial plan timeline. Situations like this can occur anytime. Thus, be prepared to manage some changes in the plan.
In this short guide, we presented practical tips to create a construction change order that will help you formalize changes.
1. Assess the Construction Contract
Before you start doing some essential changes in your project plan, evaluate the construction agreement first. The contractor needs to understand the initial contract before getting into some amendments.
2. Identify the Demand for a Change Order
Change is constant. Anytime, clients request or a contractor may add more budget and need extra equipment for a particular building project. What type of change that the client requested? Is it for a payment request? Determine why you need to secure one. Are you going to use it as a bid form, approval form, back charge form, or an issue form? Assess if the requested change needs to be delivered or not. Some requests for changes may be too simple and change order form may not be required.
3. State the Essentials
Once you have already determined the need for a change of order, it's time to outline the needed details. Basically, a change of order contains the company name, logo, address, contact information, work or project name, client's name, and contractor's name. Determine what the changes are. Describe the client's request for changes. Write the previous and the latest agreement. Identify the type of work and services to finalize it. That way, it will be easier for you to keep track of the new actions you will take.
Moreover, outline the final description of the new service to be done as well as the total costs of construction materials and services. Most contractors charge an additional fee for making some changes to the work. Note the revised date of completion. Since change orders are considered legal documents, get it signed by the client and the contractor.
4. Experiment with Pre-Made Templates and Print with Quality
Creating a change order is one of the frustrations you could ever have as a contractor. With so many things to do on the site, starting from scratch can be a time-consuming task. Lessen the burden. Look for relevant ideas and inspiration online. It allows you to come up with your own format. To assist you, stay on this page. Above this article, you can choose any of the sample order forms. Freely download, open, and customize it in MS Word to fit your branding and business needs. Review your work and print it with high-quality paper stock.