--- title: How to Send and Approve Change Orders/Variations in Buildern description: Change Orders/Variations in Buildern follow a clear approval workflow to keep communication organized. This article explains how to send change orders/variations for approval, how clients review them, and how statuses update in Buildern. --- [Skip to content](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/15203248-how-to-send-and-approve-change-orders-variations-in-buildern#main-content) ![logo\_icon\_text](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Buildern%20logo.svg) - [My Account](https://app.buildern.com/signin) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [My Account](https://app.buildern.com/signin) - [Get Started Free](https://app.buildern.com/signup) [Get Started Free](https://app.buildern.com/signup) Welcome to Buildern Help Center! - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Buildern Help Center](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles?hsLang=en-gb) 2. [Change Orders / Variations](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/change-orders-variations?hsLang=en-gb) # How to Send and Approve Change Orders/Variations in Buildern ### How to Send and Approve Change Orders/Variations in Buildern Change Orders/Variations in Buildern follow a clear approval workflow to keep communication organized. This article explains how to send change orders/variations for approval, how clients review them, and how statuses update in Buildern. July 31, 2026   *👉 Learn more about [How to Create Change Orders/Variations in Buildern](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/13774129-how-to-create-change-orders-variations-in-buildern?hsLang=en-gb)* Once a change order/variation is created and ready, it can be sent to the client for review, where they can approve, reject, or request clarification directly within the document.​ **Step 1: Preview the Change Order/Variation** Once everything is ready click **Preview** to review the change order/variation: [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/ed819643-fa3e-4a90-8c6b-7fd810c64b60.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292825/6c7c08a638a2da1300ae50b57c0d/ed819643-fa3e-4a90-8c6b-7fd810c64b60?expires=1792671300&signature=372a29bae4e76f2410904c771faf96ab260514872cd5e1e1943f756151d2e1b1&req=diQnH8t3n4ldXPMW1HO4zatSDgNk7d6k5Sa0VylFqxzTXuDLdp6ETLrghG9Z%0AvPr0qk0OZs%2B9eG42dCM%3D%0A)[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/63296951-ec34-4d22-8ef5-1be25e038487.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292826/13f2cf4a82d1792cabac0d56e9dd/63296951-ec34-4d22-8ef5-1be25e038487?expires=1792671300&signature=ed9f0c27897fa83a99e0a2818a2702fe700d0b2842beaab5db3ba4ca1db70047&req=diQnH8t3n4ldX%2FMW1HO4zQffnJGZwxhi11BJdk89lnpLPFriR6mFo5hRUDD1%0A1%2B%2BytT4%2FLxeCQK6JuKM%3D%0A) *💡 **Tip** - Preview helps ensure everything is correct before the client receives it.* **Step 2: Send to Client for Approval** Once the change order/variation is ready, you can send it directly from Buildern. Click **Send** to share it with the client. [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/dbbad212-d4e8-46c1-9bfa-b2d894640b5a.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292827/cb2890b038808557c5c541e6d85c/dbbad212-d4e8-46c1-9bfa-b2d894640b5a?expires=1792671300&signature=2a2dc2fa36c979580bd536ab8c0e6a0b8c55ca6c63354550fb57de9b5a142e00&req=diQnH8t3n4ldXvMW1HO4zX1%2FW%2FiJjWCKdtafwT00oSDquYlRLoSjFT6VF0bp%0AnMzJxGIA5dAtvZMJQO4%3D%0A)[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/20d6c8f2-b8dd-4e9d-a851-bff80218cddb.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292828/d62dee6b6b134dcda4a73230278e/20d6c8f2-b8dd-4e9d-a851-bff80218cddb?expires=1792671300&signature=41d66327383078f11c15f8dbc53bd722c5a375f3c3acbd4779ffc8a0a835832d&req=diQnH8t3n4ldUfMW1HO4zbFOwIzD6%2BihLVlSg2XWqVSl8miWrpbk0u4M%2BWSg%0AOSwAcqpVlas%2F5FMQNRY%3D%0A) **Step 3: Client Review Process** After receiving the email with a structured view of the change order/variation, the client can: - Review all changes - Leave comments if needed - Approve and sign digitally or reject [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/c464ac97-f889-4e24-a87d-0eeb54c13aee.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292837/8c54689f3bafd4ce945cdc6aa973/c464ac97-f889-4e24-a87d-0eeb54c13aee?expires=1792671300&signature=9884a6e6183df329917f56a9adcd7d55c9589dca6c49ff345edd0545ecac70b8&req=diQnH8t3n4lcXvMW1HO4zeIwHFEOtrKGgWvmOXt%2B2aw3Kjp7rYn8nVGo56Nz%0AqZ8cQEW5YPlSZ6DxM9w%3D%0A)[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/70ee890b-50fa-4813-a106-3536a543163d.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292836/f2b132da154fb1744c380b153b0a/70ee890b-50fa-4813-a106-3536a543163d?expires=1792671300&signature=13a9fa51365a92d94c820e2b3838ba4440822b019a3baa89d5933f925065b2f2&req=diQnH8t3n4lcX%2FMW1HO4zf60vtUV7HNUS21mgz4XlIYiTW3a1tFQIUN7yB%2Fj%0ApvpGZlU157ASGozSesw%3D%0A) The status updates automatically based on their response. *ℹ️ **Note** - A signed change order/variaton acts as official approval to proceed with the updated scope, cost, or timeline.* **Step 4: Track Status in Buildern** After sending, you can track the status directly in Buildern. Each change order/variation will automatically update based on client actions: - **Draft** – The change order/variation has been created but not yet sent to the client - **Pending** – The change order/variation has been sent and is awaiting client action - **Approved** – The client has signed and approved the change order/variation - **Rejected** – The client declined the change order/variation [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/f0e38558-b352-4d42-87da-95be7b696956.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292835/74e255a4a68fc9ca2384a02c3a2f/f0e38558-b352-4d42-87da-95be7b696956?expires=1792671300&signature=2be7e7ea6192c2996c48dae41672eb7cc91680d6963b5da7b7915f85fbe657ed&req=diQnH8t3n4lcXPMW1HO4zXvcjBOIpx1xIqKBJfuEdmQjelshburAOUroEbWz%0AkWbk8GYo7V7mI%2BBdhY4%3D%0A) ***💡 Tip*** *- You can open any change order/variation to view its current status and track updates in real time.* If the client rejects a change order/variation, its status is updated to **Rejected**, and no changes are applied to the project. You can review and revise the change order/variation, then resend it for approval. [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/ac601b68-35de-4ff0-8090-f7bb031e1994.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2409292838/943ff544767cce39ce06aab6dc83/ac601b68-35de-4ff0-8090-f7bb031e1994?expires=1792671300&signature=15ab0545cf84a0c5e59ec3e2c6ed89edc1cdf5ef5b45b00899c09aa7549aa521&req=diQnH8t3n4lcUfMW1HO4zYDP6cMfT5kW8n6tSNFBgyTXfPNx41JVbhDM6S3z%0AcsAV9vRGecVjCHEZTG8%3D%0A) ***💡 Tip*** *- To save time, you can duplicate an existing change order/variation, make the necessary updates, and resend it instead of creating a new one from scratch.* ### **What Happens After Approval?** Once a change order/variation is approved, the project scope is automatically updated, and the approved costs are reflected in the budget. It can also be linked to invoicing if needed, allowing the team to proceed with execution based on the updated terms. ***ℹ️ Note -*** *Approved change orders/variations become part of the official project record.* Keep an eye out for the next tutorials, where we’ll dive into even more Buildern capabilities and workflows. ​ Happy building! - [Getting started](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en-gb) - [Projects](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/projects?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Getting Started with Projects](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/projects?hsLang=en-gb#getting-started-with-projects) - [Projects Explained](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/projects?hsLang=en-gb#projects-explained) - [Dashboards](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/dashboards?hsLang=en-gb) - [Takeoff](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/takeoff?hsLang=en-gb) - [Estimates](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/estimates?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Creating and Editing an Estimate](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/estimates?hsLang=en-gb#creating-and-editing-an-estimate) - [Estimate Measurements](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/estimates?hsLang=en-gb#estimate-measurements) - [Getting Started with Estimates](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/estimates?hsLang=en-gb#getting-started-with-estimates) - [Importing Estimates](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/estimates?hsLang=en-gb#importing-estimates) - [Cost Codes](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/cost-codes?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Getting Started with Cost Codes](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/cost-codes?hsLang=en-gb#getting-started-with-cost-codes) - [Importing Cost codes](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/cost-codes?hsLang=en-gb#importing-cost-codes) - [Proposals](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/proposals?hsLang=en-gb) - [Schedule](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/schedule?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Schedule Board Explained](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/schedule?hsLang=en-gb#schedule-board-explained) - [Importing Schedule](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/schedule?hsLang=en-gb#importing-schedule) - [Getting Started Schedule](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/schedule?hsLang=en-gb#getting-started-schedule) - [Bid Requests / Request for Quote](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/bid-requests-request-for-quote?hsLang=en-gb) - [Selections and Allowances](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/selections-and-allowances?hsLang=en-gb) - [Purchase Orders](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/purchase-orders?hsLang=en-gb) - [Bills](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/bills?hsLang=en-gb) - [Budget Tab](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/budget-tab?hsLang=en-gb) - [Change Orders / Variations](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/change-orders-variations?hsLang=en-gb) - [Quickbooks Online Integration](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/quickbooks-online-integration?hsLang=en-gb) - [Xero Integration](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/xero-integration?hsLang=en-gb) - [Client Invoices](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/client-invoices?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Client Invoices Explained](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/client-invoices?hsLang=en-gb#client-invoices-explained) - [Getting Started with Invoices](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/client-invoices?hsLang=en-gb#getting-started-with-invoices) - [To-Dos](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/to-dos?hsLang=en-gb) - [Daily Logs / Site diary](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/daily-logs-site-diary?hsLang=en-gb) - [Timesheets](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/timesheets?hsLang=en-gb) - [Files](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/files?hsLang=en-gb) - [Users, Roles, Permissions](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/users-roles-permissions?hsLang=en-gb) - [Clients](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/clients?hsLang=en-gb) - [Subcontractors & Vendors](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/subcontractors-vendors?hsLang=en-gb) - [Templates](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/templates?hsLang=en-gb) - [Settings and Configurations](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/settings-and-configurations?hsLang=en-gb) - [Buildern AI](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/buildern-ai?hsLang=en-gb) - [My Account](https://app.buildern.com/signin) [![logo\_icon\_text](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Buildern%20logo.svg "logo_icon_text")](https://buildern.com/) Copyright © 2026, Buildern Inc.