Can a change order be e-signed?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures are legally valid when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retainability. Confirm any contract-specific signature rules before e-signing.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is rarely required for general change orders, but state or contract language can impose notarization for certain amendments. Check local statutes and contract clauses when authentication is specified.

What if a signer’s name differs from contract?

Mismatched signer names can delay approval and payment. Use the signer's legal name as listed in the contract or attach evidence of authority authorizing the signature to avoid disputes.

How should schedule impacts be recorded?

Record schedule impacts in calendar days and reference the project baseline. Include a brief explanation of critical-path changes and attach a revised schedule excerpt if available.

Can I retroactively approve work with a change order?

Retroactive approval is possible if parties agree, but it increases risk. Document the reason for retroactive authorization, obtain written approvals, and be aware that some owners or insurers may refuse retroactive changes.

How long should executed orders be kept?

Retain executed change orders for at least the contract term plus recommended retention: 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA-adjacent records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer if state law requires it.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Concrete Change Order

Project Management Concrete Change Order

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONCRETE CHANGE ORDER

Change Order No.: Date Issued:

Project Identification

Project Title Project ID Client Name Service Provider Project Manager

Contract Reference

Original Contract Date: Original Contract Value: $

Description of Change

Reason for Change:

Scope of Work to be Added or Modified Out-of-Scope Items (remain unchanged)

Deliverables and Acceptance Criteria

Deliverable #1 Description Acceptance Criteria for Deliverable #1 Deliverable #2 Description (if applicable) Acceptance Criteria for Deliverable #2

Timeline and Milestones

Proposed Start Date: Proposed Completion Date:

Milestones (list milestones and target dates)

Budget and Payment

Cost Impact: This change order adjusts contract price

If cost impact applies, Net Change in Contract Price Payment Schedule for Change Order Work

Time Impact / Extension Requested: If checked, number of calendar days:

Change Order Cost Breakdown and Basis of Estimate

Change Order Procedures and Certifications

Authorization: By executing this Change Order, the undersigned certify that the described work is necessary, that cost and time impacts are accurate to the best of their knowledge, and that this Change Order will be incorporated into the Contract Documents.

Attachments: The following documents are attached and incorporated:

Change Order Review Notes (for internal use)

Confidentiality

All information exchanged in connection with this Change Order is subject to the confidentiality obligations of the underlying Contract. Both parties agree not to disclose proprietary technical or commercial information except as required by law or as necessary to perform the amended work.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Change Order shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified in the Contract. Any dispute arising under this Change Order shall be resolved pursuant to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in the Contract; absent such procedures, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration.

Approvals and Authorizations

Project Manager Authorization: Date:

Client Representative Authorization: Date:

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Name:

By:

Date:

What a Project Management Concrete Change Order Is

A Project Management Concrete Change Order documents agreed modifications to an existing concrete scope of work, including adjustments to price, schedule, materials, or specifications. It creates a written record of the change, ties the revision back to the controlling contract, and identifies parties, dates, authorization, and cost or time impacts. Change orders help avoid disputes by clarifying who approved the change, the effective date, and how the adjustment will be billed and scheduled. Use this form whenever work deviates from the original contract or when unforeseen site conditions require formal contract modification.

Why a Formal Change Order Matters for Concrete Work

A written concrete change order protects project stakeholders by documenting scope, cost, schedule impact, and approvals. It creates a definitive contract amendment and reduces the risk of payment disputes or claims.

Typical Users and Signers for Concrete Change Orders

The following roles commonly prepare, review, and sign concrete change orders on construction projects.

Project managers and superintendents who request and document the change in the field.
General contractors responsible for reviewing cost and schedule impacts and obtaining approvals.
Subcontractors or suppliers who must confirm revised quantities, materials, or price adjustments.

Ensure every role listed receives a copy of the executed change order and that the contract file is updated to reflect the amendment.

Representative Signatory Profiles

Project Manager

A senior on-site manager authorized by the contractor to request changes, describe field conditions, and initiate pricing or time-impact estimates for subcontractor approval and owner review.

Contracting Officer

An owner or owner's representative with delegated authority to approve contract amendments and sign change orders that alter the contract sum or completion date.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Change Order

A complete change order clearly links to the base contract, describes the change in plain language, and quantifies cost and schedule effects. Include approvals and attachments for transparency.

Change Order Number

Unique identifier for traceability across project records and invoices; reference the contract number and original change order sequence to avoid confusion.

Description of Work

Concise, technical description of the revised concrete scope including locations, quantities, methods, and drawings or revision numbers that define the change.

Price Adjustment

Itemized cost change or lump-sum amount with labor, materials, equipment, markups, and tax treatment explicitly stated to support payment processing.

Schedule Impact

Number of calendar or work days added or subtracted, the new completion date, and any critical-path dependencies affected by the change.

Approvals and Signatures

Signature blocks for the contractor, subcontractor (if applicable), and owner or owner's rep plus printed names, titles, and dates for authorization.

Attachments and References

List of supporting items—revised drawings, RFIs, cost breakdowns, or permits—each attached and referenced by filename or exhibit number.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Concrete Change Order

Follow these steps in order to create, review, and finalize the change order.

01

Initiate Request: Document the field condition or change request with photos and measurements.
02

Prepare Cost Estimate: Itemize labor, materials, and equipment with applicable markups.
03

Review and Approve: Obtain contractor and owner approvals; note any negotiated adjustments.
04

Execute and Distribute: Sign the change order, attach exhibits, and circulate executed copies to stakeholders.

Digital Workflow Overview for eSubmission and Tracking

A typical eWorkflow reduces handoffs and creates an auditable record from request to execution.

Upload Document: Add the change order PDF and attach supporting files.
Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and cost fields for each signer role.
Send to Signers: Route in order or send parallel links with signer authentication.
Store Executed Copy: Save signed form and audit trail in the project repository.

Configuring an Online Change Order Workflow

Use these settings when building a reusable template for change orders.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential signing: requester → contractor → owner
Authentication	Email link or SMS code; use stronger ID for high-value changes
Conditional Fields	Show cost line items only when price change > $0
Template Naming	Include project and contract number for easy retrieval

Technical Considerations for eSubmission

Confirm platform support for required formats, audit trails, and integrations before using e-signatures for change orders.

Document Formats: PDF, Word DOCX supported
Integration Options: Procore, NetSuite, Box, Google Workspace
Authentication Methods: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO

Ensure retention, export, and access control policies are in place so executed change orders are searchable and legally reproducible.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing Change Orders

Compare core pricing and compliance features relevant to signing and storing construction change orders; signNow is listed first per table conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Available on Premium tiers	Available	Available	Available	Available
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Limits vary by plan	Limits vary by plan	Limits vary by plan

Security and Compliance Features to Consider

In-Transit Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

At-Rest Encryption: AES-256 encryption at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed signing history and timestamps

Legal Compliance: ESIGN and UETA compliance

Healthcare BAA: HIPAA BAA available

Regulated Records: 21 CFR Part 11 support available

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Issuing a change order with vague scope language that leaves key tasks undefined and invites differing interpretations during execution.
Failing to attach supporting cost breakdowns or revised drawings, which delays approval and complicates payment certification.
Skipping required internal approvals or using an unauthorized signer, creating grounds for dispute or nonpayment.
Not recording the schedule impact clearly, leading to overlapping work, subcontractor claims, and liquidated damages exposure.

Risks and Consequences of Incorrect Change Orders

Payment Disputes: Delayed or withheld payments

Schedule Claims: Extended completion and liquidated damages exposure

Contract Breach: Unapproved changes may be rejected

Lien Risk: Unpaid work may trigger mechanic's liens

Litigation: Increased legal costs and time

Regulatory Noncompliance: Permit or code violations

Typical Deadlines and Response Times

Set clear deadlines for review, approval, and execution to prevent work delays and billing disputes.

Submission Window:

Submit change requests within contract-defined notice period

Owner Review:

Owner typically responds within 7–14 days

Approval to Proceed:

Approval must be signed before changed work begins

Billing Effective Date:

Specify when cost adjustments take effect for invoicing

Record Update:

Update project documents immediately after execution

Key Milestones in the Change Order Lifecycle

Track these sequential milestones from request through execution and closeout.

01

Request Submitted

Field team submits documented change with photos and measurements.

02

Technical Review

Engineer or estimator evaluates scope, cost, and schedule impact.

03

Formal Approval

Authorized parties sign the change order and date it.

04

Implement Work

Contractor schedules and completes revised scope per new terms.

Best Practices for Accurate and Efficient Change Orders

Adopt standardized forms and clear authorizations to reduce disputes and administrative overhead.

Use a Standardized Template

Maintain a consistent change order template across projects that includes required fields, approval blocks, and attached exhibit references to speed review and ensure completeness.

Attach Supporting Documentation

Always include photos, revised drawings, RFIs, and a detailed cost breakdown so approvers can validate scope and price without follow-up requests.

Define Approval Thresholds

Set dollar and schedule thresholds for routing to different approvers to avoid bottlenecks and ensure the correct authority signs each amendment.

Record and Communicate Changes

Distribute executed change orders to the project team, schedule manager, accounting, and the owner so procurement, payroll, and schedule systems reflect the amendment.

Practical Examples of Concrete Change Orders in Projects

Two concise examples illustrate how scope, cost, and schedule are handled in real-world scenarios.

Site Condition Adjustment

Unexpected subsurface rock encountered during excavation

Contractor documents additional excavation and disposal
The change order itemizes added labor and disposal costs, extends the critical-path by five days, and is signed by owner and contractor to authorize work and payment.

Specification Upgrade

Owner requests higher-strength concrete after pour samples

Engineer approves revised mix and testing requirements
The change order records the revised unit cost, testing responsibilities, revised curing time affecting schedule, and attaches the amended specification sheet for clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Project Management Concrete Change Orders

Answers to common questions about form use, legal validity, signatures, and storage for change orders.

Need help? Contact support

Can a change order be e-signed?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures are legally valid when they demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retainability. Confirm any contract-specific signature rules before e-signing.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is rarely required for general change orders, but state or contract language can impose notarization for certain amendments. Check local statutes and contract clauses when authentication is specified.
What if a signer’s name differs from contract?
Mismatched signer names can delay approval and payment. Use the signer's legal name as listed in the contract or attach evidence of authority authorizing the signature to avoid disputes.
How should schedule impacts be recorded?
Record schedule impacts in calendar days and reference the project baseline. Include a brief explanation of critical-path changes and attach a revised schedule excerpt if available.
Can I retroactively approve work with a change order?
Retroactive approval is possible if parties agree, but it increases risk. Document the reason for retroactive authorization, obtain written approvals, and be aware that some owners or insurers may refuse retroactive changes.
How long should executed orders be kept?
Retain executed change orders for at least the contract term plus recommended retention: 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA-adjacent records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer if state law requires it.

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