How to discuss a change order with confidence
Turn a price you’re unsure about into a specific, calm conversation: what to ask for, how to phrase it, and what evidence helps.
The conversations that go well are specific and calm, and they’re about the numbers rather than the person. These questions are written to get you clear answers quickly, without turning it into a dispute.
How the review helps
- See which lines have solid detail and which are missing hours, rates, or quantities.
- Ask for proof you can actually check: hours, rates, invoices, and material quotes.
- Get talking points written in plain language for the conversation with your contractor.
What to ask for
- “Can you show the labor hours and hourly rate behind this line?”
- “Which materials are included, and what are the unit prices?”
- “Is overhead and profit already in these prices, or added separately?”
- “Since this is a lump sum, can we split it into labor, materials, and markup?”
What to settle, in order
- Scope first: what changed compared with the signed contract?
- Then labor, materials, and markup, using the questions above.
- Last, alternatives: is there a lower-cost option that keeps the schedule?
How to run the conversation
- Start with the schedule and the goals you share.
- Tie every request to a specific line.
- Agree on a date for the revised numbers so work keeps moving.
The goal isn’t to win an argument; it’s to remove guesswork. A clear record of how each price was built usually settles things faster than debating the total.