What a deck change order is for
Deck changes are tempting once the owner sees the frame: a few more feet, a second stair, better railing. Each changes material, labor and sometimes the permit. A signed change order with the new total, before you cut, keeps the invoice clean and the inspector's drawings current.
What to put on a deck change order
- Footprint or detail that changed.
- Added material and labor.
- Whether the permit needs revising.
- Credits.
- New total and signature.
A worked example
The owner adds a second stair to the yard, upgrades the stair railing to aluminum, and drops the skirting.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add stairs to yard side | 4 | each | Your price |
| Upgrade stair railing to aluminum | 12 | ft | Your price |
| Credit: skirting | -72 | ft | Your price |
If a change alters the footprint or height, check whether the permit drawing needs a revision before you build it.
Line items deck builders use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Footings, dug and poured | each | Depth to your local frost line and the inspector's rule. |
| Framing: posts, beams and joists | sq ft | Lumber grade and joist spacing. |
| Ledger with flashing | ft | Attached to the house with the fasteners code calls for. |
| Decking, pressure-treated | sq ft | Board width and fastening. |
| Decking, composite | sq ft | Brand, color and hidden or face fasteners. |
| Railing | ft | Wood, composite, aluminum or cable. |
| Stairs | each | Per step; width and landing. |
| Tear-out of old deck | sq ft | Demolition and haul-off. |
| Post caps and lighting | each | Low voltage or solar. |
| Skirting or lattice | ft | Around the base. |
| Permit and inspections | each | Footing, framing and final. |
| Stain and seal | sq ft | For wood decks, after the wood is ready. |
Terms and deposit language for deck
- Deposit. The deposit at signing orders lumber or composite and books the build week. Each state sets its own deposit limits on home improvement work.
- Payment. Balance due at the final inspection or when the deck is finished and walked.
- Warranty. You warrant the framing and your workmanship for a stated time. The decking maker warrants the boards. Normal checking, warping and weathering of wood are not defects.
- Permit and inspection dates are set by the town and can move the schedule.
- Buried lines and sprinkler pipe at footing locations are the owner's to have marked.
- Pressure-treated wood needs time to dry before stain; the timing is in the notes.
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 deck
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tile, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for deck builders: how deck builders run on Koira.