Roofing change orders without surprises

Why the record comes before extra work

A change order is the written bridge between the original agreement and newly accepted work. It should be approved before extra work proceeds whenever the condition is not an immediate safety or weather emergency.

What to do, in order

1. Photograph the newly discovered condition. Photograph and locate the condition that was not included in the original scope, such as exposed deck deterioration or an inaccessible flashing detail.
2. State the added or removed quantity. State the added or removed quantity with the same unit used by the agreed price method rather than a lump sum with no explanation.
3. Price the change using the agreed method. Show labor, material, equipment, schedule, and closeout effects and identify any credit for work that is no longer needed.
4. Record approval and any schedule effect before proceeding. Capture the homeowner's authorization and the date before ordering material or covering evidence that supports the change.

What the final invoice should show

The closeout should reconcile the original contract and every approved change. Photos, quantities, and authorization should explain the final total without requiring either party to reconstruct decisions from a job-site conversation.