Free Fencing Change Order Template
This free fencing change order template includes fields for the original contract reference, description of scope changes, reason for the modification, cost impact with itemized materials and labor, timeline adjustments, revised contract total, and authorization signatures. Download the PDF to document underground obstacles, grade adjustments, gate additions, and material upgrades professionally.
What's Included
- Reference to original contract or estimate number
- Sequential change order number for tracking
- Description of fencing scope changes with affected sections
- Reason for the change (underground obstacles, grade issues, client request)
- Cost impact with itemized materials, equipment, and labor
- Original contract amount and revised total
- Timeline impact and revised completion date
- Updated fence layout or section details
- Authorization signatures for contractor and client
- Date of approval
How to Use This Template
- 1
Fencing change orders most commonly result from what’s underground: rock, roots, buried concrete from old fence posts, or unmarked utilities. Number each change order sequentially and reference the original contract. Because fence lines can span hundreds of feet, specify exactly which sections are affected.
- 2
Describe the obstacle or change with measurements and locations. "Hit rock along the back fence" doesn’t help anyone plan; "Encountered solid ledge rock at 18-inch depth along posts 12 through 19 (approximately 56 linear feet of the west property line), requiring core drilling for post installation" communicates the exact scope.
- 3
Grade changes are another frequent trigger. If the terrain drops more than expected, you may need stepped panels, racked sections, or additional grading. Document the elevation change, the number of affected panels, and the solution. Include whether the adjustment is cosmetic (client preference) or structural (preventing gaps).
- 4
Gate additions or upgrades requested mid-project should be documented as change orders even if the client says "just add it." Specify gate width, style, hardware (hinges, latches, closers), and whether it’s pedestrian or vehicle access. Gate pricing includes posts, framing, and hardware — it’s not just the cost of one more panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common fencing change order triggers?
Underground rock or ledge is the top trigger, followed by large tree roots that prevent post placement, buried concrete from previous fences, unmarked irrigation or utility lines, grade changes steeper than estimated, property line adjustments after surveyor marking, client-requested gate additions, and material upgrades (e.g., switching from pressure-treated to cedar).
How do I price rock drilling on a fencing change order?
Price rock drilling per post hole. Include the equipment cost (core drill or rock drill rental), diamond or carbide bits, additional labor time per hole, and any concrete or epoxy needed to set posts in rock. Some fencing contractors include a pre-approved per-hole rate for rock in their original contract to streamline approvals when rock is likely.
Should I issue a change order when a property line is different than expected?
Yes. If a survey reveals the property line is different from what was estimated, the fence layout and total footage change. Document the revised layout, the new total linear feet, any additional or fewer posts and panels, and the cost impact. Never install a fence on the wrong property line — relocating it later is far more expensive than waiting for the survey.
How do I handle gate additions on a fencing change order?
Itemize the gate separately: gate frame and infill, hinge posts (which are often larger than line posts), hardware (hinges, latch, closer, drop rod for double gates), concrete for the larger post holes, and labor. If the gate requires a different post spacing from the standard layout, include the cost of adjusting the adjacent sections.
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