# How to write a change order the homeowner signs before the work starts

> The small extras are where contractors lose money. A one-page change order, signed on your phone before you pick up the tool, ends the final-invoice argument.

Canonical page: https://bettrpdf.com/forms/change-order  
This file: https://bettrpdf.com/forms/change-order.md  
Site index for agents: https://bettrpdf.com/llms.txt

Fill, sign and send it back: https://bettrpdf.com/fill?form=change-order

Updated 2026-10-24. Pages: 1. Who fills it: The contractor. Who signs: Owner and contractor. When: Before the extra work.

## What a Change order is

A change order amends the original contract: what changes, what it costs, and how it moves the schedule. Contractors tell the same story again and again: the owner says yes to a $200 extra, and by final billing the yes and the work are two different memories. A signed change order turns the yes into a record. Many states, including California for home improvement, require changes to be in writing and signed by both parties.

## Every field

| Field | What goes in it |
| --- | --- |
| Contractor and owner | Legal names as they appear on the original contract. |
| Job address and contract date | Ties the change to the contract it amends. |
| Change order number | Number them in order: 1, 2, 3. It keeps the running price easy to follow. |
| Description | What is being added, removed or substituted, specific enough that a stranger could price it. Attach a photo if it helps. |
| Reason | Owner request, hidden condition, or code requirement. It matters if the bill is disputed later. |
| Prices | Contract price before this change, the amount of this change (plus or minus), and the new contract price. Carry the new price forward on the next change order. |
| Schedule | How many days the change adds to completion, or zero. |
| Signatures | Owner and contractor, dated, before the extra work starts. |

## Mistakes that get it sent back

- **Doing the work on a verbal yes.** The most common way contractors eat a few thousand dollars a year. If it costs material or more than a few minutes of labor, write it up first.
- **No running contract price.** Without a new contract price on every change order, the final invoice looks like a surprise even when every change was agreed.
- **Vague descriptions.** "Extra electrical" invites an argument. "Add two recessed lights in the hallway, LED, owner-supplied trim" does not.

## Terms

- On the form: Change order number, Contract price, Change amount, Completion date
- Related documents: Contract, Estimate, Invoice, Lien waiver, Field ticket
- Who uses them: Remodelers, Roofers, Electricians, Plumbers, General contractors

## FAQ

**Can the homeowner sign on my phone?**

Yes. Fill it in Fill & Sign, hand them the phone and they sign with a finger. Or choose Request signatures and text or email them a link.

**Is an electronic signature valid on a change order?**

Generally yes, under the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA. Check your state's home improvement rules and your contract for any specific requirements.

**Do I need one for every small extra?**

A common rule from contractors: if it costs material or more than 15 minutes of labor, write it up.

## Related guides

- [How to fill out an invoice that gets paid](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/invoice.md)
- [How to fill out a W-9 in 2026](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/w-9.md)
- [How to fill out a mutual NDA](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/mutual-nda.md)