If the Vice President is unavailable to sign a change order, who should sign on behalf of the contractor?

• A. An Officer for the Company
• B. Office Engineer
• C. Superintendent Who Requested the Change Order
• D. Project Manager

Answer: (B)

The person signing change orders on behalf of the contractor must have delegated authority to bind the company to contract modifications. When the Vice President isn’t available, the designated contract administrator who routinely handles changes is the office engineer. This role is responsible for contract administration, including preparing, reviewing, and approving change orders, confirming the scope and price with the field and design teams, and ensuring the changes align with the owner’s approved directives. Having the office engineer sign keeps the process properly documented and within the company’s authorized signing level.

An officer for the company is too broad a label for a specific delegated signer, and the superintendent who requested the change is in the field and not authorized to bind the company in writing. A project manager might sign in some firms, but many companies designate the office engineer for change orders to maintain proper contract administration and consistency in approvals.