Change Order Example for Painters: Price Extra Work Before You Start

A customer asks you to paint a second room after you have already agreed on the first. Before starting, write down the extra work, price it, explain any schedule change and get the customer's agreement. A clear change order helps both sides understand what changed.

Example: one extra bedroom

The original quote covers one room for $800. The customer asks to add another bedroom. Your estimate for the extra work is 5 labor hours at $40 per hour ($200), plus $120 in paint and materials: $320 in estimated direct costs. You quote $500 for the additional room.

Estimated gross profit on the change is $180 ($500 minus $320). Estimated gross margin is 36% ($180 divided by $500). This is not take-home pay: overhead, taxes and other costs may still apply. The revised quoted total is $1,300 before any applicable tax, assuming no other changes.

Copyable change-order template

Original job and quote: [job reference and amount]
Added work: [room, surfaces, preparation, coats and materials]
Excluded work: [repairs, ceilings or other items not included]
Change in price: [additional charge or credit, plus applicable tax]
Revised total: [original total plus changes]
Schedule impact: [additional time or revised dates]
Payment terms: [when the change is due]
Approval: [customer name, date and agreed method]

What to clarify before work starts

  1. Describe the actual scope. “Paint bedroom” is less useful than identifying walls, preparation, number of coats and who supplies paint.
  2. Check direct costs and the time required. A small change can mean an extra trip, setup and cleanup.
  3. State whether the price is an addition or a credit, and show how it changes the original total.
  4. Explain schedule and payment effects. Keep a copy of the agreed change with the original quote.

Requirements for contracts and approvals vary by location and project. This is a planning example, not legal or tax advice; use terms appropriate to your work and local requirements.

Keep the quote and change together

We make ScopeBid, an iPhone and iPad estimating app for service professionals. Its listing describes adding change orders, showing estimated margin and turning approved quotes into invoices. The first three quotes are free with full PDFs; Pro unlocks unlimited quoting and the full job-costing and invoicing workflow. ScopeBid records payments; it does not process them. Explore ScopeBid on the App Store.

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