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Change order

A change order is a written amendment to a signed contract that changes the work, price or schedule, for example extra work found during construction.

Once a county contract is signed, changes must go through a formal change order. Larger change orders, or those that push the total above set limits, usually need approval at a public board meeting. State law often caps how much a contract can grow through change orders before the work must be re-bid.

Good practice for contractors

  • Never do extra work on a verbal request. Get a signed change order first.
  • Price changes with supporting detail (labor, materials, equipment).
  • Track approvals; payment for changed work can't be made until the change order is approved.

Change orders appear on board agendas, so they are also a useful signal of how projects are going.

Last reviewed Oct 30, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds change; check the current statute and the bid documents.