A general contractor receives a change order request that will add $25,000 to the project cost and 10 days to the schedule. Before proceeding, the contractor must:
Correct Answer
A) Obtain written approval from the owner before starting the work
Change orders should be properly documented and approved in writing before work begins to avoid disputes over scope, cost, and time adjustments. This protects both the contractor and owner.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B is correct because proper change order procedures require written documentation and owner approval before any additional work begins. This protects both parties by clearly establishing the scope, cost, and time implications of the change. Without written approval, contractors risk not being paid for extra work or facing disputes over what was actually authorized. Florida construction law and standard industry practices emphasize the importance of documented change orders to avoid costly litigation.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Immediately begin the additional work
Automatically refusing change orders is poor business practice and may violate contractual obligations to consider reasonable changes requested by the owner.
Option C: Complete the work and bill it as an extra
Completing work first and billing as an extra afterward puts the contractor at significant financial risk, as there's no guarantee the owner will pay for work that wasn't pre-approved in writing.
Memory Technique
Use the acronym 'WRITE' - Written approval Required before Initial Task Execution
Reference Hint
Florida Building Code Chapter 1, Section 105 - Construction Documents and Chapter 489 Florida Statutes regarding contractor licensing and change order requirements
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