Showerthought: Why do we still trust verbal change orders on site?

Overheard a foreman in Phoenix last week say "just move that wall 2 feet over, I'll talk to the client later" and now I'm wondering how many projects get sunk by handshake agreements that nobody writes down. Has anyone else seen this blow up into a legal mess?

2 comments

2 Comments

charlie_stone7214h ago

Did the guy who moved the wall actually go back and talk to the client or did he just leave it and hope nobody noticed?

the_terry10h ago

Nah, I see it different. The guy clearly knew the wall was wrong and probably figured the client would notice eventually. Leaving it and hoping nobody sees it is lazy, but going back means admitting you messed up and dealing with the fallout. Some people just don't have the backbone for that conversation, especially if they're scared of getting blamed or losing the job. Not saying it's right, but I get why someone would freeze up and just walk away. That kind of thing happens all the time on sites when people are over their head but won't ask for help.