You’ve probably heard the term “change order” as you’ve searched for a bathroom remodeling company. As a whole, change orders suck. That term is often associated with price increases, confusing contract changes, or unexpected problems that appear in the middle of a remodeling project. It’s natural to wonder how a company handles them during your project.
At Shugarman’s Bath, tub and shower remodeling is all we do. Our team processes around 150 change orders each month across the remodels we manage. That number sounds high, and we know change orders are infamous in the industry because they’re often associated with price hikes and can seem to come out of nowhere. We hate those kinds of change orders, too. For us, change orders are mainly used to keep project details accurate and clearly documented.
In this article, we’ll show you how change orders are handled at Shugarman’s Bath, so you know exactly why they would appear for your shower remodel.
Table of Contents:
- What Is a Change Order in a Shower Remodeling Contract?
- Why Does Shugarman’s Bath Issue Change Orders for a Shower Remodel?
- What Are Common Reasons for a Change Order with Shugarman’s Bath?
- What Happens If Shugarman’s Bath Makes a Mistake in Your Contract?
What Is a Change Order in a Shower Remodeling Contract?
A change order is an amendment to the original construction contract that documents any change to the agreed scope of work, project cost, or schedule. Change orders make sure everyone is working from the same information so the project can be completed correctly.
So, if something in the project changes, the original contract must be updated. The change order is the document that makes the update official. It’s not enough for a homeowner and contractor to agree to a change via email or verbal conversation. Rather, a change order is required to update the signed agreement.
A change order serves two main purposes:
- It legally updates the contract when something changes.
- It clearly communicates the update to the homeowner and the team installing the project.
The primary purpose of a change order is to protect the homeowner and the contractor, clarify the change to the contract, and specify what the final project will include.
Why Does Shugarman’s Bath Issue Change Orders For a Shower Remodel?
The vast majority of change orders we issue are small updates that improve communication and documentation for your project.
Remodeling projects involve several teams, including designers, operations staff, and installers. They all rely on the contract to understand exactly what the homeowner expects. Change orders make sure everyone is working with the same information so your project can move forward correctly.
Around 90% of change orders at Shugarman’s Bath occur during the contract review and planning stages before installation. The production team carefully checks the contract to confirm that all the details are clear and accurate. If additional clarification is necessary, a change order is issued to document the update before the project begins.
The approach we take to change orders differs from that of most remodeling companies because we do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen during demolition or installation. Not to mention if we find anything behind the walls in the tub and shower area, it’s likely protected under our Never Any Extras Guarantee (some exclusions may apply).
What Are Common Reasons for a Change Order with Shugarman’s Bath?
Most change orders happen because something about the project needs updating or clarification. Common reasons include:
- The homeowner decides to add or remove a feature (like adding a grab bar or removing a shower seat) from the project.
- The homeowner wants to change part of the design after the contract is signed, such as going with a different wall color.
- A project detail needs clarification during contract review.
- A disclosure or project detail needs to be documented in writing.
Maybe you also notice a pattern here: the change orders that happen aren’t surprise price hikes. Surprise price hikes by the contractor are what make the home improvement industry look bad enough.
Regardless of the reason they happen, Shugarman’s Bath addresses change orders by clearly documenting the change and having you sign the agreement before moving forward.
What Happens If Shugarman’s Bath Makes a Mistake in Your Contract?
Hey, we can admit it: We’re all human. We make mistakes and can’t be as perfect as our stunning remodels. As we like to say, “human happens.”
If we make a mistake in the contract and identify where the error occurred, we usually absorb the cost rather than issue a change order that could increase your price. Or, if there’s a complex situation requiring adjustments, the homeowner may be given the option to modify the project or step away from the agreement entirely.
For example, a designer might quote a layout before realizing that additional materials or installation work will be required to make the shower remodel look correct. After reviewing the project more carefully, we would explain the situation to the homeowner and present the updated scope of work.
At that point, the homeowner can decide whether they want to modify the project to include the additional work or step away from the agreement entirely. If we make a mistake, it shouldn’t be your responsibility. Making you responsible for a mistake on our part is a shady business practice and sets us up for bad reviews.
Change Orders Don’t Have to Mean Surprise Costs for Your Shower Remodel
Look, we get it. Change orders are infamous within the construction industry. They’re associated with surprise costs, confusion, and stressful project delays. We HATE change orders like that, too. Shugarman’s Bath makes sure change orders are a way to keep your contract clear, accurate, and aligned with what you want.
Because the majority of our change orders happen before installation begins, you have the chance to review updates early instead of being caught off guard during demolition.
Now that you better understand how Shugarman’s Bath handles change orders, learn more about the step-by-step bathtub and shower installation process so you know what to expect during your project.
Finally, you can schedule a consultation with Shugarman’s Bath to review your project, ask questions about the remodeling process, and see whether our approach is the right fit for your home.
The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.
