Template
Contractor change order template for small extra work.
A contractor change order does not need to be complicated. For small field changes, the best template is short, specific, and easy for a customer to approve before the added work begins.
Direct answer
Use a one-page structure: customer, project, original scope, what changed, why it costs more, line items, approval text, and signature or written approval.
01Workflow
The template structure
- 1
Name the customer and project.
- 2
Reference the original scope.
- 3
Describe the added work in plain language.
- 4
Explain why it is extra.
- 5
Add labor and materials.
- 6
Record approval and share the PDF.
02Practical notes
What matters in the field.
Keep the template customer-ready.
If a homeowner cannot understand it in one minute, it is too dense. Use plain words and itemized costs.
Do not replace your invoice system.
Use the change order as approval backup, then copy the result into QuickBooks, Jobber, Housecall Pro, or your existing invoice flow.
Use the same format every time.
Consistency makes it easier to prove what was approved and easier for customers to trust the process.
03Checklist
Template fields
Ticket number
Customer and project
Original scope note
Added work
Why it costs more
Cost line items
Approval record
Example
Template snippet
Original scope: backsplash electrical work as quoted.
Added work: move three existing outlets higher after cabinet installation.
Why it costs more: this relocation was requested after the original quote.
04FAQ
Common questions.
Can I use one template for handyman, remodeling, and service work?
Yes, if the template stays simple. The same fields work across most small extra-work approvals.
Should the template include payment terms?
Usually no. Keep payment terms in your main agreement or invoice system. The change order should document the added scope and approval.
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
Change order with signature: what to capture before extra work starts.
When a contractor needs a signed change order, what to include, when to collect the signature, and how to keep a clean approval record.
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.
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.