Freelance Glossary > C > Change Order

Change Order

A change order is a written document that outlines any modifications or additions to a project’scope, timeline, or budget. Change orders are typically used in freelance work when a client requests changes to the original project’s parameters after the work has already begun.

Change orders can be beneficial for both freelancers and clients, as they allow for flexibility and adaptability in the project’s development. They also help to ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding any changes to the project, avoiding misunderstandings or disputes.

Whether or not a freelancer should allow change orders depends on their individual circumstances and preferences. Some freelancers may prefer to stick to the original project’s scope and may not be willing to accommodate significant changes. Other freelancers may be more flexible and willing to adjust the project to meet the client’s changing needs.

email alerts

Get Weekly Freelance Gigs via Email

Enter your freelancing address and we'll send you a FREE curated list of freelance jobs in your top category every week.

If a freelancer decides to allow change orders, it’s important to establish clear guidelines and procedures for requesting and approving them. The freelancer should communicate the process for requesting a change order in the initial contract or agreement, including the circumstances under which a change order may be requested, the process for submitting a change order request, and the timeframe for the freelancer’s response.

Additionally, the freelancer should include provisions for how change orders will affect the project’s timeline, budget, and overall scope. This may include an additional fee or an extension of the project’s deadline, depending on the nature of the requested changes.

Articles that talk about "Change Order"

Value-based pricing will change your business: here’s what it is and how it works

Value-based pricing will change your business: here’s what it is and how it works

As an individual contractor, freelancer, or independent entrepreneur, you may have run across the term value-based pricing (VBP) when formulating your business plan and pricing...

How to Avoid Scope Creep as a Freelancer

How to Avoid Scope Creep as a Freelancer

If you’ve been freelancing for more than a day or two you have probably experienced scope creep. It looks something like this: [Phone rings; it’s...

Scope creep is great for your business—if you handle it like this

Scope creep is great for your business—if you handle it like this

I remember receiving some bad news earlier in my career from a client that I was doing some identity work for. We’d finished the logo,...

How to get clients to pay: Tactics for invoicing success

How to get clients to pay: Tactics for invoicing success

One of my earliest clients was a fashion design company in Los Angeles who asked me to create a print ad for use in one...

More articles about "Change Order"