Top Construction Change Order Software for Subcontractors

Construction projects rarely go as planned. From the time you sign the contract throughout the project lifecycle, there can be dozens of alterations to the schedule, scope, and budget. And every change must be documented with a change order. 

Change orders are official modifications to the original construction contract. Each one must detail the change, explain why it’s necessary, and be officially approved by the GC or property owner. 

The primary purpose of these documents is to prevent disputes down the road and make it easier for you to get paid on time. However, keeping track of change orders can be a bit of a nightmare, especially if you’re working on several projects across multiple GCs.   

Enter construction change order software. 

The Purpose of Construction Change Order Software

Change order software makes it easier to create and track change orders across all your projects, according to each GC’s requirements. These tools deliver numerous benefits to subs, including:

• Streamlining change order creation
• Reducing documentation errors
• Tracking approval status
• Keeping field and back office teams on the same page
• Applying change orders to the Schedule of Values (SOV)
• Ensuring more timely payments

Several construction accounting systems include some basic change order management functionality, but if you’re a sub executing a larger volume of projects, you may want to consider a more robust solution created with your workflows in mind. 

8 Popular Construction Change Order Software Tools

Researching new software to add to your construction tech stack can be time-consuming. To help you cut to the chase, here are eight change order management tools we recommend. 

1. Siteline 

Siteline is a construction billing software tool for trade contractors that includes a comprehensive change order management solution that consolidates the change order workflow into subs’ billing processes. 

Top Features of Siteline’s Change Order Software

• Change order creation and submission: Instantly generate pre-filled change order request (COR) forms according to GC requirements, compile backup documentation, capture electronic signatures, and send them directly to the GC—without ever leaving the system.
• Change order tracking: Track the status of all change orders to see which requests are in draft, submitted, require revisions, or rejected. Easily apply approved ones to the SOV. 
• Change order pricing: Make it easy for PMs to record new change events and price new change orders using accurate rate tables. 
• Pricing analysis: Track and compare pricing trends across multiple change orders to inform future pricing negotiations. 
• Change order reporting: Export pending change orders across every project to prioritize the actions required to get them approved and added to the SOV.
• Change order request logs: Generate detailed COR logs within Siteline and attach logs to pay applications as backup.

 Learn more about Siteline’s change order software. 

Proof Siteline Offers the Best Change Order Software

Trade contractors of all specialties have used Siteline to manage billing and change orders across 10,000+ projects. Its change order management capabilities empower subs to streamline processes, improve field-to-office handoffs, and facilitate faster approvals. 

VanKirk Electric, a prominent electrical subcontractor based in Georgia, uses Siteline to save 16 hours per month managing change orders. Their accounting team processes over 60 change orders per month. Previously, they used Smartsheet for this, which took about 15 minutes per change order. After consolidating this workflow into Siteline, each change order takes less than a minute.

"Siteline opened our eyes to efficiencies we never knew existed… The software has allowed us to streamline our billing process and better manage our workload, ultimately leading to increased productivity and better results." - Paul S., Controller, VanKirk Electric

You can read more about VanKirk’s story and results here.

2. eSUB

eSUB is a project management platform that subcontractors use to manage project documents and field communications. Change order management is one of its core functionalities.

Top Features of eSUB’s Change Order Software

• Track change orders from request to approval.
• Choose from various quote options based on project requirements.
• Add detailed individual line items.
• Control who can view and modify change orders.

Learn more about eSUB’s change order software.

3. Knowify

Knowify is another project management software that trade contractors use to bid, manage, and invoice for long-term projects and service requests. Its built-in change order management tool simplifies the change order creation and approval process.  

Top Features of Knowify’s Change Order Software

• Create, track, and invoice for change orders.
• Build a catalog of materials and labor rates.
• Capture electronic signatures and create a time-stamped paper trail.
• Automatically update budgets and projected profitability.

Learn more about Knowify’s change order software. 

4. Clearstory

Clearstory’s tool is specifically focused on change order communication. This point solution lets GCs, trade contractors, and project owners communicate change order requests. 

Top Features of Clearstory’s Change Order Software

• Create collaborative change order request logs across all parties.
• Build a digital library of Time & Materials tags.
• Compare forecasted cost impacts to actuals.
• Create pre-populated change order request templates.

Learn more about Clearstory’s change order software.

5. Fieldwire

Fieldwire offers a field management solution for construction teams that includes change order software. This feature is only available to subscribers of its most expensive plan, Business Plus.  

Top Features of Fieldwire’s Change Order Software

• Create custom change orders with no required fields.
• Send to all stakeholders for approval or notification.
• Build preset costs to use across all change orders.
• Calculate costs compared to project budgets.

Learn more about Fieldwire’s change order software.

6. Viewpoint

Viewpoint’s construction software includes change order management functionality.  Contractors use it to manage their change order workflows from end to end.

Top Features of Viewpoint’s Change Order Software

• Track change orders from change event to approval.
• Audit the journey behind every change order request.
• Build workflows for document creation and approvals.
• Facilitate communications across all parties.

Learn more about Viewpoint’s change order software.

7. CM Fusion

CM Fusion provides construction project management software built to improve communication across teams. It includes a real-time tracking and approval system for change orders. 

Top Features of CM Fusion’s Change Order Software

• Create and manage change order forms.
• Build standardized change order templates.
• Monitor new, pending, and approved change orders.
• Allow property owners to approve change orders.

Learn more about CM Fusion’s change order software.

8. JobTread

JobTread’s project management and construction estimating software also includes change order tracking capabilities to help contractors stay on top of project budgets. 

Top Features of JobTread’s Change Order Software

• Generate change orders from any device.
• Upload and attach various file types.
• Sync change orders to the original project budget.
• Customize approval processes.

Learn more about JobTread’s change order software.

Choosing the Best Change Order Software

We’ve said it before—software isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re trying to select the best change order software for your subcontracting business, there are a few things to consider:

• Do any of your current software providers offer change order software? 
• Are you considering replacing any tools in your construction tech stack? 
• Is change order tracking the only problem you’re trying to solve, or are there other challenges you need to address? 

For instance, if forgetting to add approved missing change orders is causing your pay apps to get rejected, look at Siteline’s change order tracking software. Subs who use it cut pay app revisions in half and get paid three weeks faster. If that sounds like a game changer to you, get a demo of Siteline today.