Oct 21, 2026 · 2 min · 3 segments
An addendum belongs to the bidding stage, while changes after signing need the appropriate construction-phase process. We separate those terms and compare them with change orders, directives, and site…
First, the word addendum.
Look, at its root, it just means something you add.
It isn't tied to any particular phase or any particular kind of work.
Anything you add to a document is, technically, an addendum.
And a quick note on grammar, since the exam can be picky.
One is an addendum, more than one are addenda.
Just singular and plural.
But in practice, we get more precise.
And here's the distinction.
During construction, you don't call a change an addendum.
You call it a change order.
Why the different word? Because a change order isn't only an addition.
okay so it also changes the price and the time it's a specific thing so it gets a specific name think of it like this all dogs are dogs but one particular dog gets the name jimmy addendum is the general word change order is the named specific one so here's how to keep the terms straight for the exam When we say addendum, we mean changes to the contract documents, including the drawings and specifications made during the tendering period.
That's its home, the bidding window, sort of, before anyone's signed to build.
Once that period closes, a change isn't an addendum anymore.
Now it's a change order, or a change directive, or a site instruction, depending on the situation.
If you called one of those an addition, you wouldn't be wrong, exactly.
You'd just be vague when the contract world wants you to be specific about which kind of change it is.
So hold that map.
Addendum belongs to the tendering period, change order, change directive, and site instruction belong to construction.
First, the word addendum.
Look, at its root, it just means something you add.
It isn't tied to any particular phase or any particular kind of work.
Anything you add to a document is, technically, an addendum.
And a quick note on grammar, since the exam can be picky.
One is an addendum, more than one are addenda.
Just singular and plural.
But in practice, we get more precise.
And here's the distinction.
During construction, you don't call a change an addendum.
You call it a change order.
Why the different word? Because a change order isn't only an addition.
okay so it also changes the price and the time it's a specific thing so it gets a specific name think of it like this all dogs are dogs but one particular dog gets the name jimmy addendum is the general word change order is the named specific one so here's how to keep the terms straight for the exam When we say addendum, we mean changes to the contract documents, including the drawings and specifications made during the tendering period.
That's its home, the bidding window, sort of, before anyone's signed to build.
Once that period closes, a change isn't an addendum anymore.
Now it's a change order, or a change directive, or a site instruction, depending on the situation.
If you called one of those an addition, you wouldn't be wrong, exactly.
You'd just be vague when the contract world wants you to be specific about which kind of change it is.
So hold that map.
Addendum belongs to the tendering period, change order, change directive, and site instruction belong to construction.
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