The best time to handle this is before the extra request happens.
After 30+ years in residential painting, I found that most awkward change-order conversations started because the original estimate was too loose. The customer thought “while you’re here” work was included, and the contractor knew it wasn’t, but nobody had clear wording to point back to.
I’d want every estimate to say plainly:
- what work is included
- what is excluded
- how extra work is priced
- that extra work needs written approval before it starts
- whether touch-ups/warranty work are included or separate
- how long after completion any included service remains available
That way when a client asks for more, you’re not arguing from memory. You’re calmly pointing back to the written scope and saying, “Yes, we can do that. I’ll price it separately before we start.”
