Change orders
What software can freelancers use to send change orders?
Short answer
Use a tool that ties the change order to the scope the client already approved: it should state the extra work, the price and any added rounds or days, collect the client's signed approval online, and turn the approved change into an invoice. PaloWorks does this on every plan, Free included, and the client never makes an account.
Free for 1 client, 3 active projects. No card to start. Updated by PaloWorks.
What to look for
Tied to the approved scope
A change order only means something next to what was originally agreed.
In PaloWorks
Change orders live on the project, beside the scope the client approved, and add rounds or days to it when approved.
A real approval, not "sounds good"
Accounts payable and any later dispute will ask who approved what, and when.
In PaloWorks
The client ticks an e-sign consent box and types their name. The approval records the name, time, IP address and a fingerprint of the exact terms.
A way to say no
A client who can decline cleanly will not stall the rest of the project.
In PaloWorks
The client can approve, decline with their name, or ask for changes, all from the same page.
From approval to invoice
An approved change that never reaches an invoice is still unpaid work.
In PaloWorks
Once approved, one click creates the invoice, and the client's change order page offers Pay now.
Fast to write
If a change order takes an hour, you will skip it for small requests.
In PaloWorks
Four starting templates: one more revision round, an extra deliverable, bringing the date forward, another round of stakeholders.
How it works in PaloWorks
Step 1
Write the change
Describe the extra work, set the price, and add revision rounds or days if it needs them.
Step 2
Send the link
The client opens it with no account. Approving uses the signing link emailed to them.
Step 3
They approve, decline or ask
An approval is recorded with their name and time; the rounds or days are added to the project.
Step 4
Invoice it
Click Invoice this change order. The client can pay by card or bank debit where available.
When PaloWorks is the wrong pick
- Construction and trade contractors with AIA-style change order forms and retainage need construction software. PaloWorks is built for creative and knowledge work.
- If you only ever bill hourly with no fixed scope, a timesheet and invoice tool may be all you need.
Comparing tools? Read PaloWorks compared, including what the others are better at.
Questions people ask
- Is a change order the same as an invoice?
- No. A change order is the client's authorization for extra work outside the scope. The invoice that follows is what gets paid. PaloWorks keeps them separate and links them.
- Is the client's approval legally meaningful?
- The client consents to sign electronically, types their name, and PaloWorks records the time, IP address and a fingerprint of the terms they approved. Whether a record is enough for your situation is a question for your lawyer.
- Does approving automatically bill the client?
- No. Nothing bills itself. After approval you click to create the invoice, then send it.
- Are change orders on the free plan?
- Yes. Change orders are on every plan.