Which statement about contract scope changes is correct?

Which statement about contract scope changes is correct?

• A. The owner may order additions, deductions, or revisions in the work without invalidating the contract.
• B. The owner may order changes only with the contractor's written consent.
• C. Changes always invalidate the contract.
• D. Changes can only be made through formal change orders and require both parties' agreement.

Answer: (A)

Changes to the project scope are handled through the contract’s change mechanism, and doing so does not end or invalidate the agreement. The owner has the authority to direct additions, deletions, or revisions to the work using change orders or change directives. When such changes are issued, they modify the scope and typically require adjustments to price and schedule, but the underlying contract remains in effect and binding. The contractor is obliged to comply with properly directed changes, and any conflicts over cost or time are resolved through the contract’s adjustment procedures. This is why the statement about scope changes is correct: changes can be directed by the owner without nullifying the contract. The other options are too restrictive or inaccurate, since they imply either mandatory contractor consent for changes, that changes always terminate the contract, or that only formal change orders with mutual agreement are possible for every change.

Changes to the project scope are handled through the contract’s change mechanism, and doing so does not end or invalidate the agreement. The owner has the authority to direct additions, deletions, or revisions to the work using change orders or change directives. When such changes are issued, they modify the scope and typically require adjustments to price and schedule, but the underlying contract remains in effect and binding. The contractor is obliged to comply with properly directed changes, and any conflicts over cost or time are resolved through the contract’s adjustment procedures.

This is why the statement about scope changes is correct: changes can be directed by the owner without nullifying the contract. The other options are too restrictive or inaccurate, since they imply either mandatory contractor consent for changes, that changes always terminate the contract, or that only formal change orders with mutual agreement are possible for every change.