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Free construction change order template

Download a free construction change order template for Excel or as a CSV, or print a blank change order form. It covers the description and reason for the change, a cost breakdown with markups, the revised contract sum, the revised completion date, and signatures. Not an AIA document.

Updated · Aequo editorial team

Download the change order template

The spreadsheet calculates line totals, markup, the change order amount, the new contract sum and the revised completion date.

Download for ExcelxlsxDownload CSVcsv

Cost columns: labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor. Overhead and profit default to 10% and bond and insurance to 0%; change both to your contract’s agreed rates.

Printable change order form

Print it to fill in on site, or save a blank PDF.

Change order

Change order no.

Date

Project

Project number

Owner

Contract / subcontract no.

Contractor

Contract date

Description of change (with drawing, RFI or spec references)

Reason (owner request, design change, unforeseen condition, code, other)

Cost itemLaborMaterialsEquipmentSubcontractorTotal
Direct cost
Overhead and profit (__%)
Bond and insurance (__%)
Change order amount
Original contract sum
Net change, prior change orders
Contract sum before this change
This change order (+/−)
New contract sum
Days added (removed)
Revised completion date

Owner: name

Signature

Date

Architect / engineer: name

Signature

Date

Contractor: name

Signature

Date

Change order template from Aequo (free to use and adapt; not an AIA document)

How to write a construction change order

Describe the change and why, price it with agreed markups, show the effect on the contract sum and completion date, and get it signed before the work is done.

  1. Identify the contract. Enter the project, owner, contractor, contract or subcontract number and the next change order number.
  2. Describe the change. State exactly what work is added, removed or changed, with drawing, RFI or specification references, and the reason.
  3. Price it. Break the cost into labor, materials, equipment and subcontractor lines, then apply the agreed overhead, profit and bond markups.
  4. Show the contract sum. Original contract sum, plus previously approved change orders, plus this change, equals the new contract sum.
  5. Show the time impact. Enter the current completion date and the days added or removed to get the revised completion date.
  6. Sign before the work starts. Have the owner (and architect or engineer, if required) and the contractor sign and date it. Bill the change only after it is approved.

Worked example

A $14,000 direct-cost change with 10% overhead and profit adds $15,400 to the contract.

  • Direct cost: labor $6,000 + materials $5,500 + equipment $500 + subcontractor $2,000 = $14,000.
  • Overhead and profit at 10% = $1,400. Change order amount = $15,400.
  • Original contract sum $850,000 + prior approved change orders $22,000 = $872,000 before this change.
  • New contract sum = $872,000 + $15,400 = $887,400. The change adds six calendar days to the completion date.

On the accounts payable side, the approved change order raises the subcontract value that invoices are checked against. See how to match subcontractor invoices to approved change orders.

Aequo Build

Match subcontractor invoices to approved change orders

Aequo Build matches subcontractor invoices against purchase orders, subcontracts and change orders, so billing is checked against what was committed before approval. It runs alongside QuickBooks Online and costs $599/month.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a change order in construction?

A change order is a written amendment to a construction contract that changes the scope of work, the contract sum, the schedule, or a combination. Once the owner and contractor sign it, it becomes part of the contract, and the contractor can bill for it.

What should a change order include?

The project and contract it amends, a change order number and date, a clear description of the change and the reason, the cost breakdown and markups, the effect on the contract sum, the effect on the completion date, and signatures from the parties who must approve it.

Is this the AIA G701 form?

No. This is a free template that uses the fields contractors commonly put on a change order, including the contract-sum and contract-time summary. If your contract requires the AIA G701 document, use the licensed AIA form.

Who signs a change order?

Usually the owner and the contractor, plus the architect or engineer when the contract requires it. For a subcontract change order, the general contractor and the subcontractor sign. Check your contract for who has authority to approve changes and up to what amount.

Can a subcontractor bill for a change order that is not approved yet?

It should not be paid until it is approved. Many general contractors hold invoice lines billed against pending change orders until the change order is signed, then release them against the revised subcontract value.

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