# Change Order Construction Guide for Massachusetts Homes Page: https://magnoandco.com/blog-construction-change-order > Change order construction basics for Somerville and Cambridge homeowners: why change orders happen in old houses, what to put in writing and the red flags. Hiring & Planning ## Change orders in construction: what they are and how to handle them in an old house Change order construction basics for Somerville and Cambridge homeowners: why change orders happen in old houses, what to put in writing and the red flags. **Mateus Magno** Licensed Construction Supervisor · November 2, 2026 · 4 min read Quick answer A change order is a signed, written amendment to a construction contract that changes the scope, price or schedule after the contract is signed. In Massachusetts, the state consumer affairs office says any change to a home improvement contract must be in writing and agreed to by both parties, and a contractor may not depart from the plans in any material way without the owner's consent. In construction, a change order is a written, signed amendment to your contract that changes the **scope, price or schedule** after work is underway. In old Somerville and Cambridge houses, change orders are almost guaranteed, because nobody can see inside a 100-year-old wall until it is open. The good news: handled in writing, change orders are routine. Below is how I explain them to clients and how Massachusetts law expects them to work. ## What is a change order in construction? Your contract describes a specific scope of work for a specific price. A change order is any agreed change to that deal, such as: - **Added work**: replacing rotted framing found during demolition. - **Removed work**: you decide to keep the existing radiators. - **Substitutions**: a different tile, window or fixture than the contract specifies. - **Schedule changes** caused by any of the above. A change order can lower the price, too. Credits for deleted work belong on paper just like extras. ## Why change orders happen in old Somerville and Cambridge houses Many of the triple-deckers and two-families I renovate around Davis Square, Union Square and Porter Square are a century old. After that many owners, here is what I commonly find behind the plaster: - **Old wiring**, including knob-and-tube, that cannot stay once walls are open. See my [knob-and-tube guide](https://magnoandco.com/blog-knob-and-tube-vermiculite-attic-insulation). - **Rot and insect damage** at sills, porches and under old bathrooms. - **Lead paint.** Homes built before 1978 fall under the [EPA's RRP program](https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program), which requires lead-safe certified firms, and that can widen the scope of prep and cleanup. More in my [lead paint guide](https://magnoandco.com/blog-lead-paint-older-homes-renovation). - **Past "handyman" work**: undersized beams, notched joists, drains with no vent. - **Owner-driven changes**: once the room is open, many clients want a niche, more outlets or a bigger window. MAGNO & CO Planning a project in Somerville? Licensed builder & owner's rep · free walkthrough · written budget in about 48 hours. [Book a free consultation](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3YJnElSsR4HsHaWVd6BsIBm7JOsDl2n-1EMy9trS9rj8PCyepopoQtl6O7um0eJcFcp5XXYk-Z)[978-397-5700](tel:+19783975700) ## What Massachusetts law says about changes For home improvement work on owner-occupied homes with one to four units, three rules matter: - [M.G.L. c. 142A, section 2](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter142A/Section2) requires the original contract to include a **detailed description of work and materials**, the **total price** and a **payment schedule**. That is the baseline every change is measured against. - [Section 17](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter142A/Section17) makes it a prohibited act for a contractor to **depart from the plans or specifications in any material way without the owner's consent**. - The state's Office of Consumer Affairs says, on its [contract requirements page](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/home-improvement-contract-requirements-details-and-sample-language), that any modification to the original contract **must be in writing and agreed to by both parties**. Bottom line: a verbal "go ahead" on the stairs is not a change order. If it changes the scope or the price, it gets written down and signed. One more thing to know: change orders are different from **allowances**. An allowance is a dollar amount already in the contract for finishes you pick later, like tile or light fixtures. Going over an allowance is not a surprise extra, but I still write it up so the new total is clear. ## What a good change order includes - A **number and date**, tied to the original contract. - A clear **description of the change** and why it is needed, ideally with photos. - The **price** of the change, as an add or a credit. - The **new contract total**. - Any **effect on the schedule**, in days. - How it will be **paid**: added to a progress payment or due at a milestone. - **Signatures and dates** from both of us, before the work is done. **Builder's tip:** Ask your contractor for a running change order log, one line per change with the running total. On a gut renovation I send it with every payment request. Nobody gets surprised at the end, and the final number on Somerville's [final cost of construction affidavit](https://s3.amazonaws.com/somervillema-live/s3fs-public/affidavit-final-cost-construction.pdf) matches what you actually spent. ## Change order red flags - **"We'll settle up at the end."** Unpriced extras turn into a final bill you never agreed to. - **Vague original scope.** "Renovate kitchen" leaves room for endless extras. Push for detail before you sign. - **Work done first, paperwork later.** Changes should be signed before the work, except a true emergency like an active leak. - **Pressure to pay for extras in cash** or outside the contract. Under section 5, work done under a separate side agreement is not covered by the Guaranty Fund. - **Material swaps you did not approve.** That is exactly what section 17 prohibits. Hiring an [owner's representative](https://magnoandco.com/blog-owners-representative-what-it-is) is another way to have someone review every change order on your behalf. ## Need a hand? I price change orders in writing before we touch anything, with photos and a running total. [Book a free walkthrough](https://magnoandco.com/contact) and I will send a written line-item budget, usually within 48 hours. I work in Somerville, Cambridge and across Greater Boston. ## Frequently asked questions What is a change order in construction? A change order is a written, signed amendment to a construction contract that changes the scope of work, the price or the schedule after the contract is signed. It can add work, remove work or swap materials. Does a change order have to be in writing in Massachusetts? For home improvement contracts, the state Office of Consumer Affairs says any modification must be in writing and agreed to by both parties. M.G.L. c. 142A also bars contractors from departing from the plans in a material way without the owner's consent. Who pays for a change order? Usually the homeowner pays for added work they approve, and receives a credit for work that is removed. The price should be agreed and signed before the work is done. Can a contractor charge for extra work I did not approve? A contractor should not make material changes to the plans without your consent. Ask for a signed change order before any extra work, and keep a running log of every change and its price. **Want someone on your side?** See [what I do as an owner's representative](https://magnoandco.com/owners-representative-somerville) and [how I price work](https://magnoandco.com/pricing). **Good to know:** this article is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and every property is different — confirm the details for your home with your city's building department, or [ask me](https://magnoandco.com/contact). See our [Terms & Disclaimers](https://magnoandco.com/terms). **About the author** Mateus Magno founded Magno & Co in 2020. He is a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor (CS-123658), registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC #220484) and certified Lead-Safe Renovator Supervisor who has renovated and managed over $5 million in projects across Greater Boston. [More about Mateus →](https://magnoandco.com/about) Keep reading ## More from the blog [Hiring & Planning ### Garage conversion to living space in Massachusetts: rules, code and costs Garage conversion to living space in Massachusetts: Somerville zoning and parking, the 2024 state ADU law, building code items and what drives the cost. 4 min read · Read article →](https://magnoandco.com/blog-garage-conversion-massachusetts) [Hiring & Planning ### The Massachusetts HIC Guaranty Fund: who qualifies, how much it pays and how to claim Massachusetts HIC Guaranty Fund: up to $25,000 if a registered contractor won't pay a judgment. Who qualifies and how to claim, from a Somerville builder. 4 min read · Read article →](https://magnoandco.com/blog-massachusetts-hic-guaranty-fund) [Hiring & Planning ### Massachusetts contractor deposit law: how much can a contractor ask for upfront? Massachusetts contractor deposit law in plain English: the one-third cap, the special-order exception and what a fair deposit looks like in Somerville. 4 min read · Read article →](https://magnoandco.com/blog-contractor-deposit-massachusetts) ## Have a question about your project? Plans, a sketch or just an idea — talk to me. You'll get honest advice and a clear written budget and schedule. [Book a free consultation](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ3YJnElSsR4HsHaWVd6BsIBm7JOsDl2n-1EMy9trS9rj8PCyepopoQtl6O7um0eJcFcp5XXYk-Z) [Call 978-397-5700](tel:+19783975700) ## Worked with Magno & Co? A 1-minute Google review helps Somerville neighbors find a builder they can trust, and it means a lot to a small local business. 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