Free Change Order Form for Contractors
Stop doing extra work your client “never agreed to.” This isn’t a PDF you print and chase down — it’s a live tool. Fill it out, send the link, and your client signs from their phone in 10 seconds. Both of you get email proof.
Built for roofers, HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, painters, remodelers, handymen, GCs, and subcontractors.
Why Contractors Use This Over Templates
Stop Eating Costs on Extra Work
Get written approval before you pick up a tool. No more end-of-job arguments over whether a change was ever agreed on.
A Template Can’t Back You Up
When a client turns around and says “I never agreed to that,” a template doesn’t record anything. This gives you a digital signature, a timestamp, the IP address, and an email to both of you, so you’ve got something real to point to.
Signed in 10 Seconds From Their Phone
Send a link via text. Your client taps it, reviews the change order, types their name, and approves. No app. No account. No printing.
100% Free — No App, No Account
Just fill it out and send. No signup, no credit card, no app download for you or your client. 3 free change orders per week.
Change Order
Create a signed change order in seconds. No app, no account.
Powered by Blessed Arc Media - Web Design for Home Service Businesses
Save this tool for quick access, no marketing page, just the form:
blessedarcmedia.com/t/change-orderBookmark that link, or add it to your home screen: on iPhone tap Share → “Add to Home Screen.” On Android tap the three-dot menu → “Add to Home screen.” On desktop press Ctrl+D (or Cmd+D on Mac). Share with your crew; everyone can use it.
How It Works
Three steps. Under 60 seconds. No account needed.
Fill Out the Form
Enter the project name, describe what changed, set the new price, and add your email and your client’s email.
Send the Link
Copy the approval link and text or email it to your client. They open it on their phone, tablet, or computer.
Client Signs, Both Get Proof
Your client reviews the details, types their name as a signature, and taps approve. Both of you receive email confirmation with the signed record.
When Do You Need a Change Order?
If the scope, price, or timeline shifts after the original agreement, get signed approval before you start. These are the situations that come up most.
Client Wants Different Materials
“Actually, can we do quartz instead of laminate?” Material upgrades change the price. Get it signed before you order.
Hidden Conditions Found During Demo
Rotten subfloor, mold behind drywall, outdated wiring: you opened a wall and found a problem. Document the extra work before you fix it.
“While You’re Here, Can You Also…”
The classic scope creep request. Adding an outlet, extending a fence line, painting an extra room. It all adds up; get it in writing.
Weather or Code Forces a Plan Change
Storm damage, a failed inspection, code violations discovered on site. The original plan is dead. The new one needs a price on paper before you start.
How to Price a Change Order
Underpricing change orders is how contractors lose money on jobs they thought were profitable. Most guys charge for materials and labor and call it a day. That’s not enough.
Lump Sum (Fixed Price)
One flat price for the change. Use this when you can accurately estimate the full scope upfront. The client knows what they’re paying, you know what you’re delivering. Most residential change orders work this way.
Time & Materials (T&M)
Hourly rate plus materials. Use this when you can’t predict the full scope — like opening a wall and not knowing what you’ll find. Always set a “not to exceed” cap so the client isn’t writing a blank check.
Add Overhead & Profit (10–15%)
10–15% combined overhead and profit on top of your direct costs is the standard markup, so that’s where most guys land. Check your contract first. Some agreements cap how much you can mark up, and on subcontractor work 5–10% is more common. That markup pays you for managing the change and carrying the liability when the job goes sideways.
Costs Contractors Forget to Include
When the Client Removes Scope
If a client cuts work from the original scope, don’t just subtract the line item. You can still charge for materials already ordered, work already completed, and restocking fees. The credit should be based on what you’ve actually spent, not just the original line item.
Two Mistakes That Quietly Cost You Money
Getting it in writing is obvious. These two are less obvious, and they’re expensive.
Not Flowing Changes Down to Your Subs
The client approves a change that affects your sub’s work. You tell the sub, they do the work, then their invoice comes in higher than you expected. If you didn’t get your own change order from the sub first, you’re eating that difference.
Waiting Too Long to Submit
Check your contract for notice requirements. A lot of them give you 7 to 14 days after discovering a change to submit it in writing. Miss that window and you could lose the right to charge for the work entirely. Public works jobs are the strictest about this.
What Contractors Should Know About the Legal Side
We’re not lawyers. Talk to one for your situation. But these keep coming up.
Digital Signatures Are Legally Valid
Under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, a digital signature carries the same legal weight as a handwritten one for most contracts. And honestly, a digital signature with a timestamp, IP address, and email trail is a stronger record than a pen signature on a crumpled form in your truck. It proves exactly when and where the approval happened.
Change Orders Protect Your Lien Rights
If a client refuses to pay for additional work, a signed change order is the evidence you need when filing a mechanic’s lien or going to small claims court. Without it, you’re asking a judge to take your word against the client’s. That rarely goes well.
Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Construction law varies by state and contract type. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation.
Common Questions About This Change Order Form
Everything contractors ask before they start using this tool.