Managing Change
How to Handle Variations in Your Build
Managing Changes in Construction: How to Stay in Control
“Change happens on every project — but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to derail your budget, your programme, or your peace of mind”
In construction, changes are called variations. A variation is any alteration to the original scope of work agreed in your contract.
This could be:
A design tweak or addition requested by you, or required by the designer (see image, the change is marked up with a clouded red line).
Unforeseen issues on site (like poor ground conditions).
Clarifying missing or unclear details in the original plans.
A builder’s claim that work isn’t included, even if it was.
Understanding whether a variation is genuine or not is the first step in managing change.
What Counts as a Change
How to Review and Control Changes
Not all changes are avoidable, but they can be managed.
Here’s how:
Review before you agree – Ask: is this truly outside the agreed scope? Builders sometimes repackage included work as variations.
Request a detailed breakdown – Avoid lump sums. Get labour, materials, overheads, and profit separated so you know what you’re paying for.
Consider the timeline impact – Changes don’t just add cost, they can delay the project. If the variation affects a task on the critical path, the whole programme can shift. (See our Build Programme Insight.)
Keep a variation log – Record and track all changes. Without this, costs can snowball unnoticed.
Quick Answers
What is a variation in construction?
Any change to the original contract scope, whether due to design changes, unforeseen conditions, or missing details that require additional work.
How can variations impact my project?
They can add cost through labour, materials, and contractor profit. They can also extend the programme, increasing time-related preliminaries.
How should I track changes?
Formally approve all variations in writing and record them in your project tracker. Update your programme and costs so you always know where you stand. We show you how to dovetail this with your project cost tracker in the Build It pathway.
Why it Matters
Poorly managed variations are one of the biggest reasons projects overrun on cost and time. Variations can increase preliminaries (the running costs of your site, see our Preliminaries Insight) if the programme extends. That’s why cost planning always includes a contingency allowance (see our Cost Planning Insight), but it only works if changes are reviewed, priced, and tracked properly.
Inside Build It, we guide you on how to evaluate changes, update your programme (see our Build Programme Insight) and track variations with the right tools. We also cover how to review a builder’s request for an extension of time, so you can see if extra weeks are genuinely needed.
Turning Change into Control
Change is inevitable, but managing it is crucial. In Build It, we show you how to manage variations with structure and confidence: from reviewing and pricing them properly, to updating your programme and keeping your costs under control.
With the right system, you’ll be ready to make smart decisions when change comes your way.
Guided Pathways
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Plan It
Plan It equips you with the knowledge, tools, and structured processes to confidently design, budget, and prepare your homebuilding project, ensuring a smooth and well-managed build.
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Build It
Build It equips you with the expertise, guidance, and step-by-step processes to manage your construction project effectively, ensuring quality, cost control, and timely completion.
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Certify It
Certify It equips you with the knowledge and processes to navigate final inspections, compliance, and certification, ensuring your project is completed with the documentation needed to validate your investment.