Extra carpentry work came up in Stittsville, sign a change order first?

Yes, get the change order signed before the extra work starts.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 requires a direct agreement over $50 to be in writing, signed and delivered to you. Put each change order in writing and get it signed the same way. If the contractor starts without one and a dispute follows, you have no written record of what was agreed, at what price, or when.

A signed change order should cover a few things clearly:

• A description of the extra work, specific enough that both sides agree on what is included
• The price for that work, or the basis on which it will be calculated
• Any change to the completion date
• How the change affects the holdback, since the Construction Act requires you to hold back 10 per cent of the price as work is supplied

One practical point on price: the Consumer Protection Act says a supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent over an estimate. If the carpenter gave you a verbal estimate for the extra work and then invoices higher, that rule applies. Get the estimate in writing as part of the change order so the ceiling is clear.

If the contractor says the extra work is minor and a change order is unnecessary, ask for it anyway. A brief written note, signed by both parties, is enough. Keep a signed copy of every change order with the original contract.

The most useful question to put to your carpenter before the extra work begins: ask them to write out exactly what the added scope covers and confirm the price in the change order before a single additional hour is worked.