Free change order template for plumbers and contractors
You open the wall and the galvanized line is shot, or the shutoff won't hold, or the drain's bellied under the slab. The original price doesn't cover it. Doing the extra work on a handshake is how you end up arguing over the bill. A short written change order, approved before you start, fixes that.
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What a change order needs
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Reference | The original estimate or contract, by number and date |
| What changed | What you found, in plain words: "Corroded galvanized supply behind kitchen wall, about 8 ft, leaking at the fitting" |
| Added work | What you'll do about it: "Replace with PEX or copper to the next sound fitting" |
| Added cost | Parts and labor as their own lines, plus any change in permit or inspection fees |
| Schedule impact | An extra day, or a wait on parts |
| New total | Original price + this change = new contract price |
| Approval | Customer's approval and the date, before the extra work starts |
California note
For home improvement contracts, California's Business and Professions Code §7159 expects changes to the contract to be in writing and approved by the homeowner before the extra work is done. Check the current rules with the CSLB, but the habit is simple: put it in writing and get the yes first.
Keep it short so they actually approve it
Do it from the job
In TruckQuote, start from the original estimate's lines (Pro duplicates it in one tap), add the change lines, and text the link. The customer sees the old lines, the new ones, and the new total, then taps approve. Snap a photo of the problem and text it along with the link. It's free and works in your phone's browser.