Why a Driveway Change Order Template Matters
Even the best-planned driveway project can shift. You might decide to widen the apron, upgrade to stamped concrete, or move a drain line after the first pour. Without a clear paper trail, those “small” tweaks snowball into surprise invoices, delays, and strained contractor relationships. A driveway change order template is the simple, one-page form that keeps everyone honest.
Think of it as a mini-contract that records:
- Exactly what is changing
- How much it costs
- How the schedule is affected
- Who authorized the work
Below, we’ll walk you through when to use one, what belongs on the form, and how to handle pricing, permits, and disputes—so your project stays on budget and on time.
When You Need a Driveway Change Order
Not every tweak warrants a formal change order. Use the template whenever the change affects price, timeline, or scope.
Common Triggers
- Material upgrade: Switching from standard asphalt to heated driveway pavers.
- Size change: Adding 100 sq ft to park a second boat.
- Site conditions: Hitting unexpected clay that requires geo-grid reinforcement.
- Code update: City inspector requires an extra expansion joint.
- Customer request: Adding a decorative stamped border after forms are already set.
When You Can Skip It
If the contractor simply swaps one brand of rebar for an equal-cost equivalent, a quick email confirmation is enough. If dollars or days change, pull out the template.
Essential Parts of a Driveway Change Order Template
Keep the form to one page; busy crews won’t fill out novels. Create a simple table in Word or Google Docs, or download our free fill-in-the-blank version at the end of this article.
1. Header
- Project address
- Original contract date & number
- Change order number (start at 001, increment for each change)
- Date the change order is written
2. Description of Change
Be laser-specific. Instead of “add decorative edge,” write “Install 6” wide stamped concrete border in Ashlar slate pattern, 4” thick, color ‘Smoke,’ around entire 20’ × 24’ driveway perimeter.”
3. Cost Breakdown
- Labor (extra hours × rate)
- Materials (line-item each)
- Equipment rental (e.g., extra saw cuts)
- Subtotal, tax, grand total
4. Schedule Impact
“Adds 1 working day to schedule. New substantial completion date: July 14, 2025.”
5. Payment Terms
Due on signing? Added to final invoice? 50 % upfront for special-order materials? Spell it out.
6. Signatures
Homeowner, contractor, and (if applicable) lender or HOA rep. Digital signatures via DocuSign are legally binding in most states.
How to Create Your Own Driveway Change Order Template
Step 1: Pick a Format
Excel and Google Sheets auto-calculate totals. PDFs look professional on mobile. Choose the tool you’ll actually edit in the truck or kitchen.
Step 2: Build a Master Template
Save a blank version titled “Driveway-Change-Order-Master.” Lock header fields so you can’t accidentally delete them.
Step 3: Add Dropdowns for Speed
For material choices, create data-validation lists (e.g., “concrete, asphalt, pavers, gravel”). It prevents typos and speeds up field entry.
Step 4: Brand It
Insert your contractor logo and license number. Homeowners feel more confident signing a polished form.
Step 5: Test It
Run a fake change (widen drive 2 ft) and confirm math cells add correctly. Email it to yourself and open on phone to check readability.
Free Sample Driveway Change Order Template
Copy-paste the block below into Word or Sheets, then adjust to your state’s lien and tax rules.
DRIVEWAY CHANGE ORDER #002 Project: 123 Maple Lane, Austin TX 78745 Original Contract: 03-15-2025 Date: June 18, 2025 DESCRIPTION: Remove and replace 4’ × 20’ section of 4” thick concrete driveway to relocate sewer clean-out 18” left per City plumbing inspector 6-17-25 notice. COST: Demolition & disposal 2 hrs × $85 $170 Concrete 1.5 cu yd @ $150 $225 Rebar 20 lf #4 @ $1.20 $24 Labor finish & cure 3 hrs × $65 $195 ______________ Subtotal $614 Sales Tax 8.25% $ 51 TOTAL CHANGE ORDER $665 SCHEDULE IMPACT: Adds 0.5 day, new completion 7-12-25 PAYMENT: Due on final invoice Authorized by: ____________________ Date: ________ Homeowner Authorized by: ____________________ Date: ________ Contractor (License #12345)
How to Price Changes Fairly
Get 2–3 Mini-Quotes
For changes over $1 k, ask subs to email a quick quote. Even if you stick with the original crew, you’ll know the market rate.
Use Unit Prices from the Original Bid
Most reputable driveway contractors list square-foot or linear-foot prices in the initial contract. Reference those same unit prices so nobody feels nickel-and-dimed.
Factor Idle Time
A Saturday change can mean crew overtime or a cancelled job the following Monday. Add 10–15 % for schedule disruption if the request is last-minute.
Document Everything with Photos
Before-and-after pictures attached to the change order eliminate “that crack was already there” debates.
Permits & Code Compliance
Many cities treat a widened driveway or added turn-around as a new impervious surface. If your change pushes total square footage past the allowable limit, you’ll need an updated permit.
Who Pulls the New Permit?
- Usually the contractor, because they carry liability insurance.
- Homeowner can pull it, but verify your lender doesn’t prohibit DIY permits.
Add Permit Cost to the Change Order
Include city fees, plan revision charges, and the contractor’s admin time ($75–$150 typical).
HOA Approval
If you live in a covenant community, attach HOA sign-off to the change order before work starts. A retroactive denial can force costly tear-outs.
Avoiding Disputes with Clear Documentation
1. Write Legibly or Type
Faded carbon copies kill your case in small-claims court.
2. Use Plain Language
“Install 1” × 12” expansion joint at garage apron per ASTM C920” is better than “fix crack by door.”
3. Set a Response Deadline
Give the homeowner 48 hours to sign or the price expires. It prevents sticker-shock arguments two weeks later.
4. Keep a Change Log
Staple all change orders to the original contract so you have one chronological file. Scan and back up to cloud storage.
Digital Tools That Speed Up Change Orders
- CompanyCam: Snap photos, tag them to the change order, and email a PDF before you leave the site.
- DocuSign: Legally binding e-signatures on phone; stores audit trail.
- Jobber: Creates change orders from a quote in two clicks and syncs to QuickBooks.
- Google Sheets offline mode: Edit in airplane-mode bad-coverage rural areas; auto-syncs when you hit Wi-Fi.
Quick Homeowner Checklist
- Read the original contract scope before asking for changes.
- Ask for the change order before the crew does the work.
- Verify price, schedule, and payment terms in writing.
- Check if the change affects permits or HOA rules.
- Keep digital copies in a shared Google Drive folder.
- Pay change-order invoices on time to keep lien rights off your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—if the work deviates materially from the signed change order, document the difference with photos and request a corrective work order at no cost before payment. Mediation or small-claims court is the next step if the contractor refuses.
Most residential drives see 0–2 changes. More than three usually signals poor planning or unexpected site issues. Review the original soil report and scope to limit surprises.
Not in most states. A signed document—paper or digital—is legally binding. Notarization adds an extra layer of proof if you foresee litigation.
Ethical contractors never start without a signature; otherwise they risk non-payment. If emergency safety work is required (e.g., collapsed edge), they should document with photos and obtain verbal approval followed by a retroactive change order within 24 hours.