Deviations will sometimes occur in an original project bid. It makes good business sense to issue a change order to ensure you get paid. This month’s Roundtable discussed "How Change Orders Ensure You Get Paid." Here are some key things to consider when issuing a change order:

• Use clear, concise contract language
• Verify who has authorizing power
• Be clear on your policy and stick to it
• Be timely about your change orders
• Manage your customers; you know who you’re working with, so act accordingly
• Negotiate to avoid burning bridges
• Be willing to stick to your policies, but know that you may burn bridges
• Define a clear scope up front
• Train staff on your procedures
• Visit AIA's website for contracts
• Visit nomma.org as we share our documents so that we can all learn together
• Don’t rely on memories; write it down
• Thoroughly review contracts before signing
• Don’t hesitate to challenge the language within the contract or restate your understanding to ensure common understanding 
• "Contracts...are what keep honest people... honest"
• Sometimes, even with all the documentation, you won’t get paid

Don’t miss the next Roundtable on November 8 at 3:00 p.m. (EST).