During renovation, changes will happen. A wall moves, a pipe clashes, a design gets adjusted. Contractors call this a variation — and variations usually mean extra cost. The problem is when variations happen verbally and later turn into arguments.
Any change must answer three questions before work continues:
What is changing?
How much extra (or less) will it cost?
How will it affect the timeline?
If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist. Even a simple message or note is enough. Contractors are not wrong for charging for changes, but homeowners are not wrong for demanding clarity before approval.
Renovation stays peaceful when changes are controlled, not spontaneous.