How to document labor, material, and schedule impacts
What belongs in the labor, material, and schedule impact sections of a change order, with examples.
Labor impact
Document who worked, how many hours, and at what rate. For T&M change orders this drives the total cost directly — be specific about trade, headcount, and hours rather than a lump estimate.
Material impact
List the materials required for the change, with quantities and unit costs where possible. Attach receipts or supplier quotes as photos when you have them — this is strong supporting evidence.
Schedule impact
Note whether the change adds time to the project timeline, and how many days. This matters for time-related disputes and ties directly into your project's Gantt schedule.
Tip
Even on a Lump Sum change order, briefly noting labor, material, and schedule impacts in the narrative makes the total price easier for a client to understand and approve.
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