Signed approval
Change order with signature: what to capture before extra work starts.
A signature is strongest when it confirms a clear scope and price before the added work begins. The signature should not be the whole record. It should sit beside the site note, cost breakdown, photos, and approval wording.
Direct answer
A signed change order should show what changed, why it is outside the original scope, the added cost, the date, and the customer's approval. For substantial extra work, collect the signature before starting that added scope.
01Workflow
How to use a signature without slowing the job down
- 1
Write the rough site note while you are still on site.
- 2
List the added labor and materials in plain language.
- 3
Show the customer the total before starting the extra work.
- 4
Capture a signature or a clear written approval.
- 5
Share the PDF or copy the text into your invoice workflow.
02Practical notes
What matters in the field.
The signature confirms agreement, not memory.
By invoice day, a verbal yes can turn into a fuzzy memory. A signed ticket gives both sides a timestamped record of what was approved.
The customer still needs to understand the change.
A signature under vague wording is weak. Use simple labels: what changed, why it costs more, labor, materials, and approval status.
Photos make the signature easier to trust.
When hidden conditions or existing damage are involved, attach photos so the signed record has context.
03Checklist
Signed change order checklist
Customer name and project address
Short description of the added work
Reason it is outside the original scope
Labor and material line items
Customer signature or documented approval
PDF copy saved with the job record
Example
Example signature wording
Customer approved the added work described in this ticket before work continued.
The added work is outside the original quote and may affect the final invoice.
Signed by customer on site with the date recorded in the ticket.
04FAQ
Common questions.
Do I always need a customer signature?
No. For small changes, a text reply may be enough. For substantial added cost, schedule impact, or disputed scope, a signature gives you a stronger approval record.
Should I collect the signature before or after the work?
Before. A signed approval before work starts shows agreement. A signature after work is finished can feel like a pressure tactic and is easier to dispute.
See what the approval record looks like.
Open the sample PDF first, then download SiteTicket AI if this is close to how you handle added work, customer approval, and invoice backup.
Related guides
Extra work approval text: wording to send before continuing.
Copy-ready wording contractors can send when a customer asks for extra work while the job is already underway.
Contractor change order template for small extra work.
A practical contractor change order template for extra work, added cost, customer approval, and invoice handoff.
Time and materials tag: the field backup behind extra work.
What a time and materials tag is, when contractors use one, and how a mobile approval ticket can capture the same backup.