What an electrical change order is for
Electricians open walls and panels that have been modified for decades, and inspectors can call for corrections nobody saw at the estimate. A change order records the finding, the code reason, the price and any delay to the inspection, signed before the extra work. It keeps the final invoice about work the customer agreed to.
What to put on an electrical change order
- The original estimate number and amount.
- What was found or requested, and the code reason if there is one.
- Added lines and any credits.
- The new total and any added days.
- Effect on the inspection date.
- Customer signature before proceeding.
A worked example
During the panel swap, the crew finds the grounding electrode conductor undersized and the water pipe bond missing, and the inspector wants both corrected. The homeowner also asks for two extra garage outlets.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade grounding electrode conductor and rods | 1 | each | Your price |
| Install water pipe bond | 1 | each | Your price |
| Add garage receptacles on new circuit | 2 | each | Your price |
Separate the code corrections from the customer's request in the notes. The customer sees which lines were required and which they chose, which makes the signature easy.
Line items electricians use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Service call | each | The trip and the first part of troubleshooting. |
| Panel replacement, with breakers | each | Amperage, brand and number of spaces. |
| Service upgrade, meter base and mast | each | Say who coordinates the disconnect and reconnect with the utility. |
| New circuit, home run to panel | each | Wire size, breaker size and what it feeds. |
| Receptacle, add or replace | each | Note GFCI or AFCI protection where code calls for it. |
| Light fixture install, customer supplied | each | Say who supplied the fixture and whether a new box is needed. |
| Recessed light | each | Count the cans and say whether the ceiling is open or finished. |
| Ceiling fan with fan-rated box | each | Include the brace if the existing box is not fan rated. |
| EV charger circuit | each | Amperage, run length and whether the panel has room. |
| Whole-house surge protector | each | Installed at the panel. |
| Smoke and CO detectors, hardwired | each | Interconnected where required. |
| Wire run | ft | For long runs priced by the foot, with the wire size. |
| Permit and inspection | each | Electrical permits are required for most new circuits; check local rules. |
| Electrical labor | hour | Troubleshooting and work that cannot be priced flat. |
Terms and deposit language for electrical
- Deposit. Small service calls are paid on completion. Panel changes, service upgrades and remodel wiring take a deposit at signing for equipment and the schedule. Check your state's rules on deposits.
- Payment. Balance due when the work passes inspection or, for work that needs no permit, when it is done and tested.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty and that devices and fixtures carry the maker's warranty. Customer-supplied fixtures are covered for installation only.
- Work is done to the electrical code adopted where the job is, and the inspector has the final word.
- If opening a wall or panel shows unsafe existing wiring, it is reported to the customer and quoted before any repair.
- Utility scheduling for a disconnect is outside your control; say how a delay is handled.
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 electrical
- Electrician labor rate calculator
- Voltage drop calculator
- EV charger installation cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, 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.
More for electricians: how electricians run on Koira.