August 28, 2025
Rework & Change Orders: Cutting the Hidden 5–10%
Every project bleeds margin through rework and late change. Standardizing change‑order practice and integrating Lean+BIM can recover meaningful dollars.
Why rework happens
- Late design clarity, spec gaps, and site conditions
- Field coordination and hand‑off issues
What the research says
- Studies place rework around ~5–10% of contract value, with wider ranges reported (see CMAA/CII, CII).
- Lean/BIM integration curbs coordination misses (MDPI 2025 review).
Practical controls
- Use allowances/unit prices for known unknowns; adopt AIA G701 rigor (AIA guide).
- Weekly Last Planner commitments + model‑based RFIs.