What a concrete change order is for
Concrete changes have to be settled before the pour, because afterwards nothing can be undone. Soft ground found during excavation, a customer who adds a walkway, or a need for a pump truck should go on a signed change order the moment they come up, with the new total.
What to put on a concrete change order
- The original estimate.
- What was found or requested.
- Added area, base or equipment.
- Credits.
- The new total.
- Signature before the pour.
A worked example
Excavation hits soft clay needing more base, the customer adds a walkway to the side door, and decides against the sealer for now.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra gravel base for soft ground | 2 | cu yd | Your price | |
| Add side walkway, 4 in * | 60 | sq ft | $13.50 | $810.00 |
| Credit: sealer not applied | -480 | sq ft | Your price |
Sign this before the pour. A walkway added after the truck leaves means a second truck and a cold joint.
* Typical price from our free driveway cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items concrete contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete flatwork, placed and finished | sq ft | Thickness, finish (broom, smooth, stamped) and mix strength. |
| Remove and haul old concrete | sq ft | Breakout, loading and disposal. |
| Excavation and grading | sq ft | To the depth for base and slab. |
| Gravel base, compacted | cu yd | Depth of base. |
| Reinforcement, mesh or rebar | sq ft | Say which and the spacing for rebar. |
| Control joints, sawed or tooled | ft | Where cracks are encouraged to form. |
| Expansion joint at house or slab | ft | Where new meets existing. |
| Stamped or colored finish | sq ft | Pattern and color; sealer included or not. |
| Concrete sealer | sq ft | Applied after curing. |
| Steps, formed and poured | each | Per step; width and rise. |
| Footings | ft | Width and depth per plan or code. |
| Pump truck | each | When the truck cannot reach the pour. |
| Permit and inspection | each | Driveways and approaches often need one; check locally. |
Terms and deposit language for concrete
- Deposit. A deposit at signing schedules the pour and covers forming materials. Deposit limits for home improvement work differ from state to state, so confirm yours.
- Payment. Balance due on the day of the pour or when forms are stripped, as agreed.
- Warranty. Concrete cracks; control joints guide where. Say what you warrant (such as heaving, scaling or settling beyond a set amount) and what you do not (hairline cracks, damage from salt or heavy trucks).
- Pour dates depend on weather and temperature; say how a rain day is handled.
- Keep cars off a new driveway for the curing time you advise.
- Sprinkler lines, invisible dog fences and buried cables in the dig area are the owner's to mark.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for concrete
- Driveway cost calculator
- Epoxy flooring cost calculator
- Demolition cost calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.