What goes on a change order
A change order is the written record that the job changed: what was added, what was taken out, and what that does to the price. Get it signed before the work changes, not after. A clear change order has:
- The original job. The estimate or contract number it changes, and that document's total.
- What changed and why, in two or three plain sentences. "The homeowner asked for two more lights along the path" settles arguments that "Extra work" starts.
- Added work, priced line by line, with quantities and units.
- Work taken out, credited at the price you quoted for it.
- The change in price, with tax, and the new job total.
- When it's paid, and that the work goes ahead once the customer signs.
- A place to sign and date.
Typli drafts all of this from a sentence or two about the change. You check the prices and send it, or print it for a signature on site.
Adding work and taking it out
Most change orders add work, but plenty take some out: the customer keeps the old skylight, or decides to paint the trim themselves. Credit removed work at the price on your original estimate, not today's price, so the customer can see the credit matches what they were quoted.
On a Typli change order, each line is either added or taken out. Taken-out lines show as negative amounts, and the change can come to less than zero when more comes out than goes in. The new total takes care of the sign.
Change orders from your estimate
If the estimate is already in Typli, open it and choose Change order. The change order starts with the estimate's number, its total and any change orders made on it before, so the new job total is right. When you describe the change, the draft can see your estimate's line items and credits removed work at your price.
When the job is done, Turn into invoice on the estimate copies its line items and the change orders you pick into the invoice, and takes off the deposit they already paid. The customer sees one invoice that matches everything they approved.
Tips that keep change orders painless
- Write it before you do the work. A change order for work that's already done turns into a negotiation.
- Get a signature or a written yes. In many states, home improvement law requires changes to be in writing and signed. Check the rules where you work.
- Say what doesn't change. If the schedule moves, say by how much. If it doesn't, say that too.
- Number them. "Change order #3" is easy to find later, for you and for the customer's bookkeeper.
- Price hidden damage as you find it. Rotten decking or bad wiring behind a wall is the classic change order. An allowance on the original estimate makes it less of a surprise.
Frequently asked questions
Is the change order generator free?
Yes. Drafting is free, with no account needed. To download the PDF or send a link, create a free account; free accounts can save 3 documents a month. Paid plans save unlimited documents, add your logo and remove the Typli footer.
Does the customer need to sign it?
It's the safest way to make the change binding, and some states require it for home improvement work. Every Typli change order has a signature and date line, so you can print it and get it signed on site, or send a link and keep their written reply.
Can a change order lower the price?
Yes. Take work out and the change shows as a credit. If more comes out than goes in, the change is negative and the new total goes down.
Do I need the original estimate in Typli?
No. Put the original number and total in your description ("Original estimate #1042 was $12,400") and the change order shows both, plus the new total. If the estimate is in Typli, start the change order from it and that's filled in for you.