Scope of Work (SOW)

The written description in a contract of exactly what work will and won't be done, with what materials.

The scope of work is the line that divides 'in the contract' from 'change order required.' A tight, specific scope protects both contractor and customer; a vague scope is how disputes start.

Good scopes specify quantities, brands or grades of materials, who supplies what, and explicitly list common exclusions ('does not include haul-away of existing debris,' 'does not include painting after install').

Related

• Change Order — A written amendment to the original contract that adds, removes, or modifies scope of work — and the price.
• Exclusions — Items explicitly NOT included in a quote or contract — listed up front to prevent scope disputes.
• Compare contractor CRMs — FieldKrew against Jobber, Housecall Pro and ServiceTitan
• Punch List — The list of small items that still need to be finished, touched up, or corrected before a job is considered complete.