After a job is completed, the owner decides to have additional work done. How should the contractor proceed?

After a job is completed, the owner decides to have additional work done. How should the contractor proceed?

• A. Write a new contract and ask the owner to sign it
• B. Proceed under the original contract
• C. Draft a change order and sign it
• D. Inform the owner that no additional work is allowed

Answer: (A)

When extra work is requested after a job is finished, treat it as a new engagement and put it in writing with a new contract. This creates a clear, enforceable record of the added scope, price, timeline, payment terms, warranties, and responsibilities for both parties before any new work begins. A fresh contract helps prevent disputes by ensuring everyone understands exactly what is included in the new work and under what terms, and it aligns permits, insurance, and liability with the added scope. While a change order can modify an existing agreement in some cases, starting a new contract provides a clean, standalone document tailored to the additional work, avoiding conflicts between old terms and new obligations. Saying no additional work is allowed isn’t appropriate when the owner has requested it.

When extra work is requested after a job is finished, treat it as a new engagement and put it in writing with a new contract. This creates a clear, enforceable record of the added scope, price, timeline, payment terms, warranties, and responsibilities for both parties before any new work begins. A fresh contract helps prevent disputes by ensuring everyone understands exactly what is included in the new work and under what terms, and it aligns permits, insurance, and liability with the added scope.

While a change order can modify an existing agreement in some cases, starting a new contract provides a clean, standalone document tailored to the additional work, avoiding conflicts between old terms and new obligations. Saying no additional work is allowed isn’t appropriate when the owner has requested it.