Does added work need a written change order?

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

Sarah Mitchell

First-time homeowner who wants a kitchen renovation

Listen

1. AWrite a formal change order documenting the additional work, cost, revised timeline, and get her signature before proceeding
   Correct

   Any change to the original contract scope, price, or timeline should be documented in a written change order signed by both parties. This protects you from 'I never agreed to that price' disputes and protects the homeowner from unauthorized charges. While Maryland law doesn't specify the exact format, the contract requirements in §8-501 apply to modifications as well.

2. BSure, just verbally agree on the price and add it to the final invoice
   Risky

   Verbal change orders are the #1 source of contractor-homeowner disputes. When the final invoice is $4,200 higher than the contract price, Sarah may dispute it. Without written documentation, you have no proof she authorized the upgrade. This is how Guaranty Fund claims happen.

3. CTell her changes aren't possible mid-project — she should have decided before you started
   Bad business

   Change orders are a normal part of construction. Refusing to accommodate them is rigid and unprofessional. The correct approach is to document the change, adjust the price and timeline, and get written approval. Many contractors make significant profit on change orders — properly managed, they're an opportunity, not a problem.