How do I price out a mid-job change order with my Toronto GC?

A mid-job change order should be priced transparently, documented in writing, and agreed upon before any new work begins — this protects both you and your contractor and is standard practice on any well-run Toronto construction project.

Change orders happen on almost every renovation. Whether it's hidden rot behind a wall, a design upgrade you've decided on, or an unforeseen condition like knob-and-tube wiring, the key is having a clear process so costs don't spiral and relationships don't sour.

Understanding What Goes Into a Change Order Price

A legitimate change order from a Toronto GC should break down into three components: materials, labour, and overhead/markup. Material costs should reflect actual supplier pricing — ask for receipts or invoices if the number seems off. Labour is typically billed at the tradesperson's hourly rate, which in Toronto currently runs $85–$120/hour for general carpentry, $110–$150/hour for licensed electricians, and $100–$140/hour for plumbers. The GC's markup on top of subcontractor and material costs is typically 10–20%, which is reasonable and covers their coordination, insurance, and warranty responsibility. Be skeptical of markups above 25% without explanation.

When you receive the change order document, it should clearly state the scope of the additional work, the fixed price or estimated hours, any impact on the project schedule, and a revised completion date if applicable. Never let a GC proceed on a verbal "we'll figure it out later" basis — that's how $500 surprises become $5,000 disputes.

Toronto-Specific Considerations

If the change order involves work that affects your building permit — say, moving a load-bearing wall that wasn't in the original drawings, or adding electrical circuits — your GC needs to notify the City of Toronto Building Division and potentially file a permit revision. This can add 2–4 weeks to that portion of the work. Similarly, if new electrical scope is added, an ESA permit must be pulled for that work separately. Don't let a contractor skip this step to save time.

Cost-wise, Toronto GCs typically charge a flat administrative fee of $150–$500 to process a change order, which covers their time to re-price, coordinate trades, and update the schedule. This is normal. What's not normal is a GC who refuses to provide itemized pricing or pressures you to sign quickly without reviewing the numbers.

Protecting Yourself

Before signing, compare the change order price against a rough independent benchmark. A quick call to a supplier (like a local lumber yard or plumbing supply house) can confirm whether material costs are in the ballpark. If the number feels high, ask your GC to walk through the line items with you — a confident, honest contractor will do this without hesitation.

Keep a running change order log throughout the project — a simple spreadsheet tracking the CO number, description, approved cost, and date signed. This becomes invaluable if there's a dispute at final invoice time.

Your next step is to request the change order in writing before any additional work starts, review the itemized breakdown, and confirm whether any permit revisions are required. If you're unsure whether a change order price is fair or need help vetting a contractor, browse licensed GCs in our directory at the Toronto Construction Network — working with a vetted professional from the start makes these conversations much smoother.