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How do I recover costs for design changes and delays?

What if design changes during construction cause extra work and delay my project?

Answer

Sudden plan changes can hit your budget and timeline. Your contract drives what you can recover.

Look for a change order clause. It explains how to approve changes and adjust price and schedule. Follow it closely—it helps keep payments and changes on record.

If you have no clear clause, or big changes happened without approval, that may be a breach of contract. In that case, added time and costs might be compensable.

Protect your business:

  • Review clauses on changes, delays, and price/time adjustments
  • Document emails, messages, time logs, and extra materials
  • Notify in writing about impact and propose new costs and deadlines
  • Negotiate a fair change order using your documentation

If talks stall, a Legal Pro can share information about your options or next steps under contract law.

What to consider in your specific situation

While these steps apply broadly, your situation may vary depending on several factors:

  • Exact change-order and delay language
  • Whether approvals were given in writing
  • The size and cost of the added work
  • State construction/contract rules
  • Your proof of schedule and cost impact

Since every project is unique, consider using Rocket Copilot or connecting with a Legal Pro to learn more about how contract rules on changes and delays could apply to your situation.

Explore more breach of contract questions & answers

Pro Reviewed
Published on 11/06/2025
Reviewed by Pamela K. Streng, Esq.

At Rocket Lawyer, we follow a rigorous editorial policy to ensure every article is helpful, clear, and as accurate and up-to-date as possible. This page was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language, then reviewed by experienced attorneys to ensure legal accuracy.

Please note: This page offers general legal information, but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask an Attorney.

Laura Bojart
Laura Bojart
Editorial Researcher and Copywriter

Laura Bojart is an SEO copywriter and editor at Rocket Lawyer. She researches legal and business topics and translates complex ideas into clear, practical content for everyday readers. With her background in journalism and endless curiosity, she approaches each subject by asking the questions readers are likely to have first, making legal information approachable and easy to understand even to those with no legal background.

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