Why do Subcontractors use Clearstory

Clearstory offers an all-in-one Change Order solution that accelerates your process by automating manual tasks, streamlining organization and improving customer communication.

Do you offer a free pilot period?

Yes! Schedule a demo with our sales team and we can set you up with a free, full-access pilot to try out all of the Clearstory software features on any current project.

Doesn’t my job costing or accounting software do this?

Clearstory is not a replacement for your internal job costing or accounting software. Through our API or existing integrations we connect with your internal system and help you supercharge workflows and communication that happen outside those systems.

What if my General Contractor isn’t using Clearstory

Clearstory is designed to be used by Specialty Contractors independently of their GCs. Invite your GC to a project so they can add review comments, and sign T&M Tags, but they are not required to create an account.

Change Order Exposure Visibility for General Contractors

You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See

Change Order cost exposure is one of the biggest blind spots on a project. Most GCs rely on email to request subcontractor COR logs and use side spreadsheets to track what’s out there. That means risk only shows up once it hits the budget, or when the owner asks cost and forecast questions you can’t answer with confidence.

No live view of COR status across all trades

No standardized log to roll up exposure

No way to ensure forecast contains all COR risk

A Real-Time Log of Every Subcontractor COR

No more downloading spreadsheets or begging for updates. As Subcontractors submit Change Order Requests in Clearstory, your dashboard updates automatically. You always know what’s pending, approved, rejected, or revised across every trade on the job.

One dashboard includes every trade’s CORs
Auto-updates as Subcontractors submit, no chasing down emails
Filter by status to spot bottlenecks fast

Forecast With Confidence

Every Change Order can be reviewed, commented on, and tagged with a PCO number so it’s always tied to your budget and forecast. Get clear visibility into pending risk without waiting for final numbers to share with the client.

Tag CORs with PCOs to track real cost exposure
Catch unapproved work before it impacts your budget
See risk early before it erodes fees and margins

Standardized COR Format

Whether you’re reviewing drywall, electrical, or HVAC, every COR appears in the same clear format. No more deciphering spreadsheets or PDFs. Backup, photos, and notes are all in one place and easy to access and audit.

One clean format, no matter the trade
Backup docs, photos, notes all in one spot
Review and audit without digging through emails

Change Order Days Aging and Status Insights

See how long CORs have been sitting in review, waiting on a response, or stuck with the GC or Subcontractor. Use aging filters to drive urgency, eliminate bottlenecks, and spot issues early to keep projects moving.

See what’s stuck and who’s holding it up
Filter by days aging to drive accountability
Keep approvals moving and billing on track

Roll-Up Views by Project or Portfolio

Drill down into a single job or roll up exposure across your entire project list. Filter by project, trade, status, or days aging so you can prioritize where attention is needed most.

Spot trends across jobs before they escalate
Quickly identify trades or projects holding the most open Change Order exposure
Surface risk and focus where it matters

FAQs

How do Subcontractors submit their CORs into Clearstory?

If you can send an email, you can use Clearstory. Subcontractors log in, add CORs and backup with a simple click, and instantly notify your team. No training required. Most start using it on day one.

Does this replace my project management or ERP system?

No. Clearstory is designed to work alongside your existing systems. It gives you the clean, standardized Subcontractor COR and T&M Tag data that those systems often miss, all in real time.

Can I export the COR log or share it with my internal team?

Yes. You can export the full COR log to Excel or share a live link with executives, owners, or finance to keep everyone aligned and up to date in real time.

What if some subs still want to submit CORs via email?

You can still log email-based CORs to maintain a complete record. But many GCs have successfully required digital COR submissions using Clearstory without friction.