What could happen if a contractor does not provide a change order for scope alterations?

If a contractor fails to provide a change order for any alterations in the project scope, it can significantly impact the contractual relationship with the client. Change orders serve as formal agreements that outline any modifications to the original contract, including adjustments to the scope of work, deadlines, and costs. Without such documentation, the contractor may not have the necessary legal backing to claim payment for additional work performed or to justify alterations to project timelines.

As a result, the contractor could face legal disputes, with the client potentially contesting the additional work or demanding refunds for amounts that were not documented. This could lead to financial losses if the contractor is forced to absorb the costs of unapproved changes or if they have to engage in costly legal action to resolve disputes. Additionally, the absence of a change order places the contractor at a disadvantage in negotiations, leaving them vulnerable to claims that the work was unauthorized or not agreed upon.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately reflect the consequences of failing to provide a change order. For instance, automatically accepting changes without documentation does not protect the contractor’s interests, and claiming that the project will face indefinite delays or that the contractor will be praised for flexibility does not align with the legal and financial realities that can arise from such situations. Ultimately,