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Change Order Templates

Follow Up When a Client Does Not Approve an Out-of-Scope Estimate

Follow up by restating the pending option and its scheduling dependency. Silence is not approval. Continue unaffected work and reconfirm availability if the original estimate window has passed.

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Direct answer

What you need to know

Follow up by restating the pending option and its scheduling dependency. Silence is not approval. Continue unaffected work and reconfirm availability if the original estimate window has passed.

Illustrative case — not a customer result

Illustrative case: an extra-page estimate was sent Monday with a Thursday decision deadline, but no answer arrives. On Friday, do not begin the page or promise the old completion date. Explain that the addition remains unapproved and any new production slot must be confirmed.

Apply the decision

  • Reference the exact estimate version
  • State whether its dates still apply
  • Keep unaffected approved tasks separate

Boundary and limitations

Do not convert a missed response deadline into a new fee or a presumed acceptance.

Message for this situation

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CO-[number] is still awaiting approval, so I have not started the addition. The earlier scheduling window has passed; if you want to proceed, I will reconfirm availability and the milestone.

Decision record to complete

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No purchase or email required.

Estimate version: [complete for this project]
sent date: [complete for this project]
pending choice: [complete for this project]
schedule validity: [complete for this project]
follow-up date: [complete for this project]

More in Change Order Templates

Frequently asked questions

Which resource should I use next?
Use the linked primary resource for the actual artifact or decision framework. This article addresses the narrower task: follow up on an unanswered estimate.
What should I avoid assuming?
Do not convert a missed response deadline into a new fee or a presumed acceptance.

Continue with the next decision

Free editable artifact

Out-of-Scope Email Template for Freelancers

An out-of-scope email identifies the difference between the approved deliverable and a new request, then offers a priced addition, a scope swap, or a later phase. Send it before starting the extra work and retain written approval.

Next step

Change Order Templates

See how to complete the corresponding free artifact.

Free editable artifact

Freelance Change Order Form Template

A freelance change-order form records the original agreement, requested difference, added and removed work, price adjustment, revised milestones, dependencies, and authorized approval. Give each change an identifier so the client can approve a specific version.

Next step

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