You started digging footings and hit ledge rock. The existing ledger board is rotted. The client wants to upgrade to composite and add a pergola. None of that was in the bid. SealedScope makes sure every discovery and upgrade is signed before you pour the first footing.

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Every deck builder has been burned by this

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Footing holes hit ledge rock, massive roots, or underground utilities. Hand-digging or core drilling adds days and equipment rental that wasn't in the estimate.

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The existing ledger board, rim joist, or band board is rotted. You can't bolt into compromised wood. The whole connection point needs to be rebuilt before the deck goes up.

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Client upgrades from pressure-treated to composite decking, adds built-in benches, stairs with lighting, or a pergola after the frame is started. Each addition is a separate scope.

Change orders deck builders deal with on every project

Footing & Foundation Issues

$500 - $3,000

Ledge rock, high water table, or root masses at footing locations. Helical piers, concrete piers with sono tubes, or relocated footings add materials and labor.

Ledger Board & Rim Repair

$800 - $2,500

Rotted rim joist or band board behind the existing ledger. Sistering new framing, installing proper flashing, and re-attaching the ledger is critical structural work.

Material Upgrades

$2,000 - $10,000

Client switches from pressure-treated pine to composite, PVC, or tropical hardwood decking. Material costs double or triple, and fastening systems change completely.

Railing & Stair Additions

$1,500 - $6,000

Client adds cable railing, glass panels, or custom metal balusters instead of standard wood spindles. Each railing system has different hardware, post requirements, and install time.

Pergola & Shade Structures

$2,000 - $8,000

Client wants a pergola, shade sail, or covered roof section added to the deck. Structural posts, headers, and sometimes permit amendments add significant scope.

Lighting & Electrical

$600 - $2,500

Post cap lights, stair riser lights, or under-rail LED strips require low-voltage wiring, transformers, and conduit runs through the framing. Electrical wasn't in the deck bid.

Lock down every extra before you pour the first footing

Document the Change

Hit rock? Client wants composite? Open SealedScope, describe the change, set the price, and snap photos of what you found.

Get It Signed

Send the change order via text or email. Client sees the scope and cost, signs digitally.

Build with Confidence

Every footing issue, material upgrade, and scope addition is documented and signed. No disputes at final payment.

From footing discovery to signed in minutes

Deck Building Change Order Flow

Discover Issue

Rock, rot, or client upgrade request

Document On-Site

Photo + scope + price in SealedScope

Send to Client

Text or email with one tap

Client Signs

Digital signature in seconds

Continue Build

Frame with full authorization

Discover Issue

Rock, rot, or client upgrade request

Document On-Site

Photo + scope + price in SealedScope

Send to Client

Text or email with one tap

Client Signs

Digital signature in seconds

Continue Build

Frame with full authorization

The numbers don't lie

77%

of deck projects have footing issues, material upgrades, or scope additions after work begins

$8,800

average annual loss per deck builder from undocumented material upgrades and structural extras

3 min

average time to create, send, and get a change order signed with SealedScope

Stop losing money on deck project surprises

Join deck builders who use SealedScope to document every footing issue, material upgrade, and scope addition before it becomes a payment dispute. Free to start. No credit card.

Get Started Free

Your first 3 change orders are free. No strings attached.