In most construction jobs, the owner sooner or later asks the contractor to perform work that is not included in the original contract. Usually, these requests are made orally. For a contractor, fulfilling these requests is risky, since disputes can come up later about whether the work was an "extra" or part of the original contract. Getting the request in writing will usually prevent such disputes. However, if for some reason you don't get a written order, you can improve your chances of getting paid if you know some of the legal principles governing these situations. Written Change Orders Most construction contracts give the owner the right to ask for additions or changes to the work the contract covers. However,
