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Free Construction Change Order Template (PDF)
A professional change order template for construction work — remodels, additions, commercial fit-outs, subcontractor work. Documents the change, the cost adjustment, the schedule impact, and the new contract total. Both parties sign before work proceeds.
Modeled on the same structure as the AIA G701 change order but simplified to one page, letter size, no proprietary fields. Use it on any signed construction contract where the scope, price, or schedule needs to change.
PDF · 1 page · Letter size · No signup, no watermark
What’s on the template
- Reference to the original contract date and sum
- Change order number (CO-001, CO-002, etc.)
- Description of the change — added, deleted, or substituted work
- Cost adjustment line (positive for adds, negative for deletes)
- Schedule adjustment in calendar days
- Revised contract sum (original + all prior + this change)
- Revised substantial completion date
- Contractor + owner (or architect) signature lines
When to use this template
Any time the contract scope, price, or schedule needs to change after signing. New finishes the homeowner picked, a structural surprise behind a wall, a permit revision, owner-requested deletions — all of it goes through a change order. No change order, no change.
Number them sequentially (CO-001, CO-002…) so the paper trail is clean. At project closeout the revised contract sum equals the original contract sum plus the sum of every approved change order. That math should reconcile with the final invoice exactly.
How to use it
- 1
Identify and document the change
Write a clear, specific description. 'Owner upgraded master bath tile from $4/sf to $9/sf,' not 'tile upgrade.'
- 2
Price the cost and schedule impact
Materials + labor + markup for the cost. Calendar days added (or removed) for the schedule. Both go on the form.
- 3
Get signatures before work proceeds
Owner (or owner's rep / architect) and contractor sign. Once signed, the revised sum and revised completion date are the new contract.
Frequently asked questions
What is a construction change order?
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A construction change order is a written modification to an existing construction contract. It documents a change in scope, price, or schedule that both the contractor and owner agree to in writing before the work is performed. Once signed, it becomes part of the original contract.
What should a construction change order include?
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Reference to the original contract, a clear description of the change (added scope, deleted scope, or substitution), the cost adjustment (positive or negative), the schedule adjustment in days, the new contract sum, the new completion date, and signatures from both parties.
Is this construction change order template free?
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Yes. Download the PDF — no email, no signup, no watermark. Use it on residential remodels, commercial projects, or any signed construction contract.
Who signs a construction change order?
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The contractor and the owner (or owner's representative — architect, project manager, or general contractor if you're a sub). On larger jobs, the architect may also sign to confirm the change is technically acceptable. Always get the signatures before performing the work.
Can I use this template instead of an AIA G701 form?
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For most residential and small commercial jobs, yes. The AIA G701 is the industry-standard change order form on large institutional projects with full AIA contracts; if your prime contract is AIA, your client may require G701 specifically. For everything else, a clean change order with the same fields (original sum, change, revised sum, schedule impact, dual signatures) does the job.
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