A change order is a term used during the process of building a new home or a remodeling project on an existing home. When the original construction contract needs to be revised, a change order is incorporated. All parties must sign the change order, including the builder, contractor, architect and the owner. One example of why an owner may be asked to sign a change order is if the delivery of certain building materials has been delayed, which will cause a delay in the completion of a particular phase of construction. Another reason why a change order may be needed is if the buyer requests an upgrade that was not included in the original construction contract. For example, if the owner opts for two windows in the dining area instead of the one window that was in the original plan, a change order will confirm the revised costs and construction timelines.
