How to Avoid Common Change Order Pitfalls in Commercial Construction
Change orders are one of the biggest pain points in commercial construction. They can delay progress, strain budgets, and cause friction between teams. But many change orders are avoidable—and understanding where they come from is key to preventing them.
First, let’s define a change order: it’s a formal alteration to the original contract, typically involving cost or time adjustments due to scope changes, unforeseen conditions, or missing design elements. Some change orders are inevitable. But others result from lack of planning, vague documents, or miscommunication.
The most common type? Scope creep. This happens when owners or stakeholders ask for additions or changes midstream—like adding glass walls, upgrading finishes, or altering room layouts. While these requests may seem small, they can have ripple effects across framing, electrical, HVAC, and even fire safety systems.
The solution: define everything clearly up front. That means having detailed drawings, firm specifications, and a shared understanding of the project goals before construction begins. At Texas Built Construction, we work closely with clients during pre-construction to review plans and identify potential gaps or decisions that still need to be made.
Another common source of change orders is poor coordination between design and field conditions. For example, an architect may specify a ceiling layout that clashes with existing structural beams or HVAC ducting. These issues often come up when contractors aren’t consulted during design. Again, this is where early involvement pays off.
We also encourage proactive contingency planning. If you’re building in an older shell space, expect surprises—like hidden plumbing, non-compliant walls, or asbestos. Building a realistic budget with allowances for potential unknowns helps keep expectations aligned.
Finally, communication is everything. We make it a point to walk clients through every change order before it’s approved. We explain the why, the cost, and the schedule impact so there are no surprises.
Change orders don’t have to derail your project. With detailed planning, early contractor input, and open communication, you can control changes—and keep your project on track.
Email us today @ projects@txbuiltconstruction.com or call us @ (972) 219-0729.