Change Orders

A Change Order is an adjustment to the original contract you signed with your contractor. It alters elements like the scope of work, project timeline, or total cost. These changes can happen for various reasons. Sometimes, they result from a request by the customer, such as additional work or a modification to the original plan. This is common and often beneficial for both parties.

Other times, a Change Order arises due to unforeseen tasks that are necessary to keep the project moving and compliant with code or industry standards. While it’s not reasonable to expect a contractor to anticipate every hidden issue, like faulty plumbing, wiring, dry rot, or toxic materials, they should make every effort to account for foreseeable work in the project scope.

Unfortunately, some contractors, whether due to inexperience or dishonesty, may fail to provide a comprehensive work scope. In the worst cases, they might intentionally leave out important items to make their bid seem lower, only to later surprise you with extra costs, sometimes after completing additional work without prior approval.

At Downy Home, we put careful thought into our work scope from the outset to avoid unnecessary change orders, and we strive to present a transparent and realistic project cost. Our bids may sometimes appear higher upfront, but this reflects our commitment to honesty, sparing you from the unexpected expenses and headaches that can come with working with less experienced or less ethical contractors.

While unforeseen issues can still occur, we don’t rely on Change Orders as a profit center. We never begin extra work without first presenting the client with an updated price and scope, and we always require a signed Change Order Contract before proceeding.

Additionally, we advise clients to set aside an extra 10-15% of the contract budget to prepare for any unexpected changes or upgrades. That said, our goal is always to avoid using this buffer unless absolutely necessary.