Understanding Construction Work

What To Know About Home Construction Change Orders

Do you want to build a custom home so that you can get exactly what you want, but you're worried about what happens when you change your mind about things partially through construction? Thankfully, you may not be completely out of luck if this were to happen. Construction change orders are very common, and you're likely to have some questions about how change orders work in case they were to come up during your project. 

Do Contractors Like Change Orders? 

As much as you may think your contractor is going to be upset at you requesting a change to the existing contract, know that this happens all the time with new constructions. Sometimes you don't realize that something is wrong with the existing plan until you start seeing it come together. For example, this includes realizing that a room is too small and it needs to be made bigger, or that a room will be missing natural light and needs more windows. These types of changes will happen when you're building your home, so it's important to be prepared for what will happen.

How Much Will Change Orders Cost You?

The cost of a change order will all depend on what you are changing and what part of the construction process you are currently in. If you want to make layout changes after framing has already been put up, then you are going to have a pricey change order to get the job done. What seems like a small change can often have big implications when you are dealing with issues such as electrical and plumbing, which has already been planned based on the home's existing layout.

However, if you have changes to basic cosmetic issues before items have been ordered, you may only need to pay for the additional cost related to the higher cost of materials. This is because it likely doesn't add any additional labor for the contractor.

Are There Cut-Off Dates For Change Orders?

Your contractor should be keeping you informed of all of the cut-off dates for changes to be made during construction. There will come a point where things just become way too expensive to make changes, especially when multiple contractors are involved to reroute utility lines and things of that nature. 

Can The Contractor Suggest A Change Order?

It is possible that the contractor may suggest a change order because construction is not going as planned. If they see something that they feel needs to be changed, the request will go through the same change order process as if you initiated it. This includes writing out a detailed plan of what is being changed, generating the list of itemized costs associated with it, and then having both parties sign the new agreement. 

To learn more, contact a custom home contractor


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