Free Change Order Log Template for Contractors

A change order log is a running record of every change order issued on a construction project. It tracks the CO number, date, description, who requested the change, status (pending, approved, rejected, void), cost impact, schedule impact, and a running contract total. It gives both the contractor and owner a single document showing exactly where the project stands compared to the original contract.

Without a log, change orders pile up and nobody knows the true contract total. On a typical kitchen remodel ($35,000-$75,000), you might have 5-15 change orders. On larger projects, 30 or more. The log prevents disputes at final billing by showing exactly when each change was requested, approved, and what it cost. It also helps you spot patterns - if 60% of your COs come from design errors, that is a conversation worth having with the architect.

Each entry should include: CO number (sequential), date issued, description of the change, who requested it (owner, contractor, architect, or inspector), status (pending/approved/rejected/void), cost impact (positive for additions, negative for credits), schedule impact in days, and the running contract total. Optional fields include internal notes and references to the individual change order documents.

Update the log every time a change order is issued, approved, or rejected. Do not batch them up. On active remodels, that could mean daily updates. Include the log as an attachment to every monthly pay application so the owner can see the current contract total. This prevents the "I did not know it was this much" conversation at the end of the job.

A change order is a single document that modifies the original contract - it describes one specific change, the cost, the schedule impact, and requires signatures. A change order log is the master list that tracks all change orders on the project. Think of it this way: each change order is a transaction, and the log is the bank statement. You need both. Use our free change order template to create individual COs.

Yes, always include pending COs in the log. Mark them as Pending so they do not affect the running contract total, but listing them gives the owner visibility into what is coming. This is especially important when pending changes are large. If you have $12,000 in approved changes and $8,000 pending, the owner needs to know the contract could grow to $20,000 over the original amount before those pending items are finalized.

Never delete rejected or void change orders from the log. Mark them with the appropriate status and keep the CO number in sequence. Rejected means the change was proposed but not approved. Void means it was previously approved but later reversed. Keeping the full history prevents confusion about missing CO numbers and provides a complete record if there is ever a dispute.

On residential remodels, change orders typically add 10-20% to the original contract. A $50,000 kitchen remodel with $7,500 in change orders (15%) is normal. Anything over 25% suggests the original scope was not well-defined or the estimate missed something. On the contractor side, if your change orders consistently run high, tighten up your initial scope of work. On the owner side, making decisions early reduces COs significantly.

Yes, you should. Sharing the change order log with your client at every pay application builds trust and prevents surprises. The printable version from this template is formatted for professional use. It shows the status, running total, and percent change from the original contract. Transparency on change orders is one of the simplest ways to maintain a good client relationship through a remodel.