Project Change Orders

The Cost Control system in the MacNail construction accounting software can track any number of change orders for each job. For best results, number your change orders as they are submitted, and add each of them to the very bottom of the cost control sheet.

NOTE-- Goldenseal project accounting software replaced MacNail in 2000. It does a much better job of handling change orders, for both job costing and project billing. Goldenseal is an integrated program that includes general accounting, job costing, payroll and project billing, plus estimating and other features.

Give each change order a name and code number in the columns to the left, and type in a price in the estimate column for labor, materials, and subs.

When you enter costs in the Checkbook Ledger or any of the Logbooks, label them with CO (for change order) in the category cell. Put the change order code number in the subcategory cell.

If you are doing change orders on a cost-plus basis, you can invoice from the cost control sheet once all costs are in.

For 'firm price' change orders, you'll get actual costs tracked against your 'mini-estimate'.