INDUSTRY REPORT | CLEARSTORY x DODGE CONSTRUCTION NETWORK

The 2026 State of Change Orders: Subcontractor Report

New research from Clearstory and Dodge Construction Network on why subcontractors don't get paid in full, and what the data says about payment gaps, T&M lag, and relationship cost.

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Change order revenue is leaving every job. This report shows exactly how much, and why.

Completed work doesn't guarantee full payment. The data shows the gap.

92%

say their change orders are not always paid in full.

22 days

from signed T&M tag to priced COR sent to the GC.

84%

submit change orders to GCs via email.

Your team is doing the work. You're not getting paid for all of it.

  • Only 6% of subcontractors say all of their change orders are paid in full

  • 27% have walked away from a GC entirely because of change order issues

  • 45% report that change order negotiations have strained their GC relationships

  • Half of respondents say their change order logs are misaligned with their GCs

  • 66% have written off change order revenue in the last 12 months

2026 SC Industry Report - Preview Graphic

Every subcontractor in this study is leaving change order revenue on the table. Most don't know how much.

For Ops Leaders

Why 66% of subcontractors write off change order revenue every year, and what separates the ones who don't.

For Project Executives

Where the 22% average discount happens in the negotiation and which factors are actually within your control.

For Project Managers

How the fastest operators cut the time between signed T&M tag and approved change order.

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