Question
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.
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 Legal Pros—licensed attorneys and paralegals—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 a Legal Pro.
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Explore more breach of contract questions & answers
Explore more questions about breach of contract due to missed timelines or deadlines
Missed deadlines can create serious business disruptions. These questions address what to do when the other party fails to deliver on time or doesn’t follow agreed timelines.
- When can I charge late fees on invoices?
- How do I recover costs for design changes and delays?
- A client agreed to new payment terms verbally but now won’t follow through—what can I do?
- Can I enforce a deadline if our deal was only verbal?
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Explore Rocket Lawyer solutions that can help you move forward
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- Get your contract reviewed by Rocket Copilot or a Legal Pro
- Connect with a Legal Pro for quick answers to questions
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- Get help forming your business and submitting filings
Disclosures
- This page offers general legal information, 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 a Legal Pro.