Construction Documents

Construction Change Orders

Change orders on the same form, every time — fill them in 2 minutes

Every change order has the same structure: what changed, why it changed, what it costs, how it affects the schedule, and the updated contract total. The form is fixed. Only the details change. Upload your template once and stop retyping everything.

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Fields on a standard change order

Change Order Number
Change Order Date
Project Name
Project Number
Owner Name
Contractor Name
Description of Change
Reason for Change
Original Contract Amount
Change Order Amount
New Contract Total
Original Completion Date
Schedule Impact
New Completion Date

Why change orders matter and why they're painful to write

Change orders are money documents. They document scope additions, deletions, unforeseen conditions, and owner-directed changes. A properly documented change order protects you if a dispute comes up later. An unsigned or incomplete one can mean you absorb the cost.

The problem is that on an active project there can be five or ten change orders in a month, and each one takes time to prepare correctly. You need the original contract amount, the running total through all previous COs, the new amount, the schedule impact analysis. Getting the math right and the format consistent is important — it's the document that will be signed by the owner.

With a saved template, the structure is always consistent. The project header fills in automatically. You focus on writing a clear description of the change and calculating the cost and schedule impact. The administrative part of the document takes care of itself.

Common questions

We have a specific change order form our GC or owner requires. Can I use that?+
Yes — upload their form. AI identifies the fields regardless of whose template it is. The output matches their format exactly.
I need to calculate running totals across multiple change orders. Does Magic Decoder handle the math?+
The fields are free-entry — you enter the numbers and the document fills with what you put in. The running total calculation is something you'd do before filling the form. Automatic calculation from previous COs is on the roadmap.
What if the change order needs multiple line items with different costs?+
For simple single-change orders, this works well. For complex change orders with detailed line-item breakdowns, you might want to attach a separate cost breakdown sheet and reference it in the description field.
Can I track which change orders have been signed vs pending?+
Magic Decoder generates the document — tracking status is currently outside the scope. For tracking, most contractors use a simple spreadsheet log or their PM software.

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Works with your format or your GC's. Free to try, no account needed.

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