Change order
A written, signed amendment to a construction contract that documents any change to the scope, price, or schedule before the extra work begins.
A change order is how a good contract stays trustworthy when the inevitable surprise appears — rotted subfloor behind a wall, a code upgrade the inspector requires, or a finish you decide to upgrade mid-project. It records exactly what's changing, what it will cost, and how it affects the timeline, and *both parties sign it before the work happens*. Insisting on written change orders is the single best defense against the most common remodeling complaint: a final bill far higher than the quote. Vague 'we'll settle up at the end' verbal changes are a red flag. Learn the rest in [how to find and vet a good contractor](/guides/how-to-find-and-vet-a-contractor) and avoid the [most expensive maintenance mistakes](/guides/expensive-home-maintenance-mistakes).