CHANTILLY, Va. — The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) has announced the release of its latest publication, Guidelines for Change Orders. Many factors can result in project changes, including a poorly-defined scope of work or gaps in the scope; unforeseen conditions or delays related to the conduct of other parties; or a redesign. A contractor’s biggest challenge is the inevitability of project changes and obtaining proper change orders.

Handling a change order properly and getting paid is indeed a big challenge, said Rick Freeman, executive vice president, Stromberg Metal Works, of the Washington, District of Columbia, metro area. “The HVAC ductwork contract drawings a contractor receives in a lot of cases have not been compared and coordinated with the structure to make sure there is sufficient ceiling space for these systems. In some cases this requires the HVAC ductwork contractor to go back and make the necessary adjustment to the systems to fit in the allotted ceiling space. As a result, the contractor becomes a problem-solver, record-keeper, communicator, and negotiator in order to receive compensation for this additional work.”