- Category: contract law, Contracts
“Just a Small Addition…” – Why You Should Never Change Work Without a Contract Amendment
It often starts with good intentions. You’re hired to renovate a bathroom. The plan is clear, the price agreed. But then the client smiles and says:
“Since you’re already here, could you maybe do the hallway too?”
You want to be helpful. It seems simple. And you have the materials anyway. So you agree. But at the end? The client refuses to pay. “I thought it was included.”
This is how contractual chaos begins. You made a change – but without an amendment. And that opens the door to disputes.
⚖️ Changes Are Legal – But Only If Properly Agreed
Under Czech law, any change to the scope of work must be:
mutually agreed,
clearly documented, preferably in writing,
and ideally signed as a contract amendment.
Unfortunately, in practice many changes are informal – by email, text, or phone. Later, it’s impossible to prove what exactly was agreed, or how much it was supposed to cost.
🧱 Case from Practice: Five Tiles, Five Problems
A contractor was hired to renovate a kitchen. The client asked:
“Please tile two more square meters in the hallway.”
The contractor agreed and finished the job. But when it came to payment, the client refused to pay for the hallway: “That was part of the original scope.”
Since there was no written amendment, the court sided with the client.
📝 A Change Affects More Than You Think
A simple change may involve:
increased costs,
new deadlines,
new warranties, documentation, and more.
If it’s not in writing, it’s a gray zone – and you’ll carry the legal risk.
✅ One small change could cost you big.
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- Publikováno:
- Naposledy aktualizováno: 19/06/2025