The Legend of the “Change Order” Yacht 🚤

I’m sure you’ve heard something similar…

So last spring, I was building aplace and brought in some framers I really liked—solid dudes, good at what they do, and easy to work with. Of course, like in most projects, the site conditions weren’t exactly matching the plans, so here comes the inevitable: they hit me with a change order.

No worries, I get it. But while they’re laying out the next wall, the lead guy casually says, “Hey, ever see that boat called Change Order?”

I stop and ask, “What boat?”

He just chuckles while still working. “Yeah, man, there’s a yacht out there paid for entirely by change orders people sign off on.”

We both had a good laugh, but there’s truth in that. Change orders can pile up quick if you’re not on top of them.

Takeaway for Owners: Change orders are gonna happen—no getting around it. The trick is to manage them well so they don’t sink your budget. Good communication and setting expectations early on go a long way. Just watch out—you don’t want to be the one funding that Change Order yacht. 😂

For Contractors: Change orders are where things can get tricky. Sure, they’re necessary, but how you approach them makes all the difference. Be upfront, clear, and fair—both to your client and yourself. A well-handled change order builds trust and keeps the project moving forward without surprises. Remember, a well-run project where everyone is on the same page can lead to repeat business and referrals, which are worth more than any yacht.

By the way, whether you’re a contractor needing better ways to handle change orders or an owner looking to stay ahead of surprises, let’s connect and chat about strategies that keep projects smooth sailing—no yachts required.

I did some digging around, and yup here’s that boat. 😎