When can a contractor typically submit a change order request for additional compensation?
Correct Answer
A) When work scope changes from the original contract documents
Change orders are appropriate when there are changes to the work scope from the original contract documents, regardless of who initiates the change, provided it's not due to contractor error.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
A change order is the proper mechanism whenever the actual scope of work differs from what the original contract documents describe. This applies whether the change was directed by the owner, discovered during construction, or necessitated by unforeseen conditions — as long as the deviation is not caused by contractor error or omission.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Only when the owner initiates the change
The right to submit a change order is not limited to owner-initiated changes. Contractors may identify and request change orders for differing site conditions, design errors, scope gaps, or code compliance issues discovered during construction — all independent of whether the owner first raised the issue.
Option C: When the contractor's costs exceed the original estimate
Exceeding the original cost estimate does not alone justify a change order. If the contractor underestimated labor or materials for work that was within the original scope, that cost overrun is the contractor's risk under a fixed-price contract. Change orders compensate for scope changes, not estimating errors.
Option D: Only during the first 50% of the project
There is no standard contract provision that restricts change order submissions to the first 50% of a project. Changes can arise at any point during construction — including late-stage finishes, inspections, or owner-requested modifications — and all are eligible for change order treatment.
Memory Technique
Remember: 'Change Order = Changed Scope.' CO is triggered by a change in what the contract says you must build — not by how much it costs you to build it. Scope changed? Submit a CO. Just over budget? That's your problem.
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