ABSTRACT
The difference between an addendum and a change order is an addendum is issued before the project is bid and a change order is issued after the contract is executed. A change order is an agreement signed by the general contractor (GC), the architect, and the owner modifying some aspect of the scope of work and/or adjusting the contract sum or contract time, or both. Change orders are also known as contract modifications. Change orders originate from a variety of sources and for a variety of reasons. The largest quantity of change orders usually comes from design errors, but they are not necessarily due to poor design. One type of change order that is avoidable is the lack of coordination of not in contract (NIC), or owner-furnished equipment and materials. Change order proposals (COPs) can be initiated by any of the contracting parties, including the project owner, the general contractor, or subcontractors.
