Text approval
Extra work approval text: wording to send before continuing.
A short text can create a useful paper trail when extra work comes up on site. The goal is not legal wording. The goal is clarity: what changed, what it costs, and that the customer agreed before work continued.
Direct answer
A good approval text says the added work is outside the original scope, gives a quick cost estimate, and asks the customer to reply with approval before you start the added work.
01Workflow
A simple approval text workflow
- 1
Write one sentence explaining the added work.
- 2
State why it is outside the original quote.
- 3
Add the cost or a clear estimate.
- 4
Ask for a written approval reply.
- 5
Screenshot or save the approval with the job documents.
02Practical notes
What matters in the field.
Texts are fast enough for small jobs.
Many small contractors already use text threads. The missing piece is usually consistent wording and a saved record.
Do not bury the price.
If the customer needs to approve added cost, the number should be obvious. Put the amount in the same message as the added work.
Move from text to ticket when the change is bigger.
For larger changes, use the text as the first approval and follow with a PDF change ticket for your records.
03Checklist
What the text should include
Added work
Why it is outside the original scope
Cost or estimate
Approval request
Date and customer reply
Example
Copy-ready text
Hi Sarah, moving the three kitchen outlets higher is outside the original quote because the cabinets are already installed.
Added cost is $281 for electrical labor and materials.
Please reply approved before we continue with this added work.
04FAQ
Common questions.
Is a text message enough for extra work approval?
For many small jobs, a clear text reply is a practical approval record. For higher-cost work, pair the text with a signed ticket or PDF record.
Should I use legal wording in the text?
Keep it plain. The customer should understand the change, cost, and approval request immediately.
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.
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.