Ask any homeowner what they’re worried about in a remodel, and “surprise charges” will be in the top three. That’s where change orders come in. A change order isn’t automatically bad — it’s just the formal way to document work that’s different from what was originally agreed to. The key is knowing why they happen, which ones are normal, and which ones you can prevent.
This post breaks down how we look at change orders at Kaminskiy, specifically for San Diego projects where permits, older homes, and HOAs can add extra layers.
🎧 Prefer to listen instead? We covered this in a podcast-style episode — what’s legit, what’s preventable, and how we handle it at Kaminskiy.
Before we get into definitions, here’s why this matters: most of the “surprise” stories you hear about remodeling are really just poorly explained change orders. When you know the 3 main reasons they happen — and which ones you can shut down with better prep — the whole process feels calmer. So let’s pull it apart and show you exactly what’s happening when a contractor says, “This will be a change order.”
A change order is a written agreement to modify the original scope, price, or timeline of your remodel.
Most change orders happen for one of these three reasons:
Good change orders are clear, priced, and approved by you before we move forward. That way, everyone stays on the same page.
Even when a project is well-designed and documented, there are a few situations that trigger change orders over and over again — especially in older San Diego homes or neighborhoods with HOAs. Knowing these ahead of time helps you spot which ones are normal and which ones you can avoid.
This is the most common — and the easiest to understand.
Examples:
Nothing wrong with this. It’s your house. But it changes labor/material, so it gets documented.
San Diego has plenty of older homes, add-ons from the 80s/90s, and creative DIY from previous owners. We can’t always see what’s behind the drywall until demo.
Examples:
When we discover something that has to be corrected to build safely or pass inspection, we document it as a change order. This protects you and the project.
Sometimes the city or your HOA asks for more than what was in the original plan.
Examples:
We don’t control those requests, but we do need to comply — so we create a change order so you know what changed and why.
The good news: some change orders can be avoided if we make decisions early. The goal isn’t zero change orders — it’s zero avoidable change orders.
Even with great planning, some things will always fall in the “we found this and we must fix it” category:
When it affects safety, structure, or code compliance, we have to address it and document it. That’s what the change order is for.
Here’s the simple version of how a good design-build firm should do it:
That way, there are no mystery charges at the end of the job.
We always recommend homeowners keep a small contingency on the side — often 5–10% of the project cost, sometimes a bit more for older homes or big structural work. Not because we “plan” to use it, but because older San Diego homes can surprise you.
Having that cushion makes it way less stressful if we do have to fix something inside the walls.
A change order by itself isn’t a bad thing — it’s just the project “catching up” to reality. What matters is how clearly it’s explained and how it’s approved. Use the list below to distinguish a healthy, transparent change order from one that might cause problems later.
Healthy:
Red flag:
If you get something that looks like this, ask for it in writing before the work starts — a good remodeler will have no problem spelling it out.
Yes. Even with great planning, most remodels — especially in older San Diego homes — have at least one change order. The goal isn’t to eliminate them completely, but to make sure they’re clear, necessary, and approved by you.
You can decline a change order if it’s for an optional upgrade or an added scope you requested. But if the change order is for safety, code compliance, or an inspector/HOA requirement, it usually has to be done for the project to pass and move forward.
Because most changes affect labor, materials, or inspections, if we add lights, move plumbing, or reframe a wall, we may need to reschedule trades or call the inspector back — that can add days to the timeline.
Make selections on time, stick to the approved layout, give us the HOA rules early, and tell us if you’re even considering extra work (like built-ins or more lighting) before we open walls. Early decisions = fewer surprises.
Going over budget can happen quietly if you upgrade finishes as you go. A change order is formal — it documents that the scope, price, or schedule has changed. It’s actually a protection for you because it keeps everything transparent.
Yes. We typically suggest a 5–10% contingency, sometimes more for older homes or big structural projects in San Diego. If you don’t need it, great — but if we find something unexpected, you won’t be stressed.
Ready to remodel without surprise change orders? Call 858-271-1005 or schedule a free in-home design consultation, and we’ll walk through your scope, approvals, and selections up front.
Kimberly Villa is a recognized expert in the Home Design and Remodeling industry. Her passion for the industry is matched only by her love for sharing insights, new trends, and design ideas. Kimberly’s expertise and enthusiasm shine through in her contributions to the Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling website blog, where she regularly shares valuable information with readers.
