Scope of work (SOW)

A scope of work (SOW) is the written description of exactly what a subcontractor is responsible for on a project — the boundary line everything else, including disputes, gets measured against.

A SOW is only useful if it's specific. 'Electrical per plans' isn't a scope; it's a placeholder that turns into an argument the first time a plan detail is ambiguous. A real scope of work names the trade's inclusions, exclusions, and the boundary where their work ends and the next trade's begins.

Verbal or emailed scope agreements are common on smaller jobs and are exactly where disputes come from later — one side remembers 'run wire for an outlet' as including the outlet, the other doesn't, and there's nothing written to settle it.

Example

A GC sends a painter a one-line scope: 'paint interior.' Three weeks in, the painter says trim isn't included; the GC says it obviously is. A written SOW naming rooms, surfaces, and finish level would have settled it before the first coat went on.

Related terms

Change orderA change order is a signed, priced amendment to a construction contract that adds, removes, or modifies scope, cost, or schedule after work is already under contract.Bid levelingBid leveling is the process of normalizing subcontractor bids onto a common scope basis so they can be compared apples-to-apples, since bidders routinely include or exclude different items.SubmittalA submittal is a shop drawing, product data sheet, or sample a contractor sends the architect or engineer for approval before fabricating or installing a specified item.

Used in

Bid leveling for remodelersRemodelers and custom builders comparing trade quotes that rarely use the same scope basis.Scope gap analysis for electrical subcontractorsElectrical subs checking plan notes and specs for scope that didn't make it into their bid.Change order template for remodelersRemodelers who need client-facing change orders that hold up when a scope disagreement comes up.Subcontractor scope of work for general contractorsGCs who need a formal, signed scope letter for every sub before they mobilize.Subcontractor scope of work for custom home buildersCustom home builders who need a written scope letter for every trade before the job starts.Unbilled T&M work for electrical subcontractorsElectrical subs who suspect field changes and service calls aren't all making it onto an invoice.

Next step

Where this shows up in Datumel:

Sub Scope LetterFree

Describe the project and what the sub owns. Get a formal pre-mobilization scope letter with a sign-off line.

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