023 - Construction Change Orders: Your Project's Plot Twist

What is a change order in construction? A change order is a formal amendment to the construction contract that adjusts cost, time, or both when the scope changes after the contract is signed.

In this episode, we break down the complete change order process from identification through implementation, walk through the AIA G701 form, and compare change orders to construction change directives, ASIs, and addenda so you know exactly which document to use and when.

You will learn how change orders work step by step, why changes after contract signing always cost more, how A201 and B101 define responsibilities, and how to tell a change order apart from a CCD, ASI, or addendum on the ARE and CDT exams.

📝 Key topics covered:

• What is a change order in construction and when they occur

• The 8-step change order process from trigger to schedule of values update

• AIA G701 change order form and three-party agreement

• Construction change directive vs change order vs ASI vs addendum

• Change order clauses in AIA A201 and B101 contracts

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:45) What is a Change Order?

(4:30) When Change Orders Occur

(7:15) Types of Change Orders

(9:30) The Change Order Process

(17:20) AIA Contract Context

(21:45) Comparing Modification Types

(28:10) Key Takeaways

📖 Read the full blog post and grab free study notes: Change Orders: Your Complete Guide

📝 Download the FREE 2-page change order study guide: youngarchitect.com/changeorder

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp coaching program

📚 Individual ARE and CSI Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• AIA Contracts 101

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101