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Can I Change the Design Midway Through the Process? What to Expect + How to Do It Right

In any residential or commercial construction project, it’s not uncommon for clients to rethink part of the design after initial decisions are made. Whether you’re building a custom house, an ADU, or a multi-unit development, you might find yourself wondering: Can I change the design midway through the process? The short answer is yes, but it depends on where you are in the design process, what you want to change, and how those changes affect cost, timeline, and approvals.

At Golden State Design & Engineering (GSDE), we regularly help clients create design changes with minimal disruption to their project. This article walks through when and how you can revise a plan, how changes affect the construction contract, and how to communicate a change request clearly with your design team and contractor.

Understanding the Project Timeline: When Is It “Midway”?

Key Phases of a Design + Construction Project

Every construction project moves through structured phases, and identifying where you are helps determine how easily changes can happen. The typical phases are:

• Schematic Design Phase: The initial concept and feasibility stage, where layout ideas and the general design intent are established.
• Design Development: Refining layouts, selecting features and materials, and integrating engineering elements.
• Construction Documents: Producing detailed, code-compliant plans used for permitting and bidding.
• Permitting: Submitting construction documents to the local government for review and approval.
• Construction: Building according to the approved plans and specifications.

What Counts as “Midway” in a Real-World Project?

“Midway” is a flexible term. Some clients request modifications after the design development phase, while others seek changes after construction has already started. Each stage has different impacts on the project’s timeline, design team coordination, and contract requirements. The later the change, the more it typically involves adjustments to the original scope and budget.

Yes, You Can Change the Design — But Here’s What It Affects

Cost Impacts of Mid-Project Changes

Making changes midway through the design or construction process can significantly affect cost. Revisions often require updates to construction documents, recalculations from structural or civil engineers, and coordination with the general contractor. Even small changes may:

• Involve modifications that require resubmitting plans to the local government
• Trigger additional design hours billed at an hourly rate
• Lead to demolition and reconstruction, increasing labor and material costs
• Result in change orders, which legally adjust the construction contract scope and price

When a change request comes in after permits are issued or during construction, it becomes more time consuming and expensive. Clear documentation and early communication with your project manager help reduce costs where possible.

Schedule Delays and Workflow Disruptions

Every change affects the project’s timeline in some way. Updating plans, waiting for new approvals, and adjusting subcontractor schedules all require time. If construction has already begun, implementing a change request may require halting progress, undoing completed work, and coordinating across multiple parties to realign timelines.

Even during earlier phases, updates to the existing design take time to review, re-approve, and reissue. That’s why having a dedicated project manager and a responsive design team is essential for minimizing disruption.

Regulatory and Permitting Considerations

In California, plans must be reviewed and approved by local government agencies before construction can begin. If you request changes after submission, your team may need to revise and resubmit the plan. This can restart the review clock and add new fees.

Depending on the jurisdiction, modifying an already approved plan may require additional plan checks or planning department approval. Your architect and engineers must ensure all changes remain compliant with zoning, building codes, and other local ordinances. Permitting delays can affect not just timing but your contract and construction schedule as well.

Engineering & Surveying Ramifications

Design changes often affect more than just layout or finishes. Your engineering team may need to revise calculations, models, or utility layouts to reflect the new plan. For example:

• Structural engineering updates might include new beam sizing or load path adjustments
• Civil engineering may involve grading plan revisions, drainage redesigns, or stormwater management changes
• Surveying may be required again if the revised layout affects lot lines or easements

These services aren’t just technical, they’re required to meet approval conditions and implement changes correctly. That’s why working with an integrated team that can manage all disciplines is vital when modifying your original design.

When Is the Best Time to Make a Change?

Early Design Phases – The Ideal Time

The best time to change a design is early in the design phase, especially during schematic design or early design development. At this stage, changes are easier to implement, do not involve re-permitting, and typically don’t affect engineering systems or materials ordering. A change request here has minimal impact on schedule and budget.

Permitting Stage – Still Possible, But Caution Needed

If construction documents have already been submitted, changes become more complex. Depending on the scope, your team might need to:

• Submit an updated plan set
• Revise engineering documents
• Pay new city plan check fees
• Wait additional weeks for approval

Still, changes are often feasible during permitting. Your design team should evaluate the potential changes, determine if they affect structural elements or fire safety, and submit them strategically to minimize resubmission delays.

Construction Stage – More Complicated

Once construction has started, changing the design requires a construction change order. This formal document outlines the new scope, materials, cost, and schedule impacts. Late-stage change requests may:

• Require demolishing or altering completed work
• Affect contractor staffing or subcontractor availability
• Lead to legal review of the construction contract

At this point, costs increase quickly, and the change process becomes more technical. Still, if the requested change significantly improves functionality or avoids future problems, it may be worth implementing with the support of your project manager and architect.

How to Handle a Midway Design Change Smoothly

Step 1 – Communicate With Your Design Team Immediately

As soon as you’re considering a change, speak with your architect or engineering team. This helps assess whether the change affects the design intent, original scope, or city-approved documents. Early communication also helps keep your contractor and permitting process aligned.

Step 2 – Evaluate All Disciplines Affected

Even a small layout change can affect:

• Structural engineering
• Electrical or mechanical routing
• Site development plans
• Permit approval conditions

Your design team should coordinate across all disciplines to ensure the proposed changes meet code, support the construction contract, and minimize disruptions.

Step 3 – Involve the City (If Needed)

If a change affects square footage, fire separation, or site layout, the local building department may require resubmission. A project manager or permitting specialist should review the change and guide next steps to maintain compliance with the local government’s process.

Step 4 – Document With Change Orders

In construction, no change is official until it’s documented in a change order. This protects all parties by clearly outlining:

• The updated scope of work
• Additional costs or credits
• Time added to the project’s timeline
• Signatures from the owner, contractor, and design professionals

Change orders are essential contract tools that prevent disputes and ensure everyone agrees on the new terms.

Step 5 – Adjust the Schedule and Budget

Some changes are minor. Others may extend the schedule or raise the budget. Your team should revise the construction schedule, update milestone deadlines, and identify any impacts on inspections or material deliveries. Transparency here is key to keeping the project on track.

Common Reasons Clients Change Designs Midway

Clients often request design changes for valid and practical reasons, including:

• Discovering new ideas or preferences
• Adjusting for budget constraints
• Responding to new city feedback or code conditions
• Improving site functionality or daylighting
• Redesigning features to better serve daily life

A professional team won’t just accept changes, they’ll help you manage the implications and implement them correctly.

Risks of Making Late Design Changes — And How to Minimize Them

Budget Overruns

Last-minute changes to the existing design can cause budget escalation. Costs can multiply if the work requires demolition, rush orders, or affects multiple trades. Building a contingency into your contract and design phase is a best practice to handle this.

Delayed Completion

Major design changes mid-construction often lead to time consuming delays. Each revision can pause progress and push out final delivery. Working with a proactive project manager helps keep decisions clear and mitigates scheduling risks.

Design-Construction Conflicts

If the design team and contractor aren’t on the same page, change requests can lead to construction errors, inspection failures, or disputes. Managing these changes within a clear contract and communication system is essential.

When a Midway Change Might Be the Right Move

Sometimes, changing your plan is the best long-term decision. You might:

• Identify features that improve livability
• Add sustainable technology or upgrade finishes
• Catch and fix design oversights before they become permanent
• Adapt the design to real site conditions

Smart change requests lead to better outcomes when they’re managed well.

How GSDE Helps You Navigate Mid-Project Changes With Confidence

At GSDE, we understand that ideas evolve. Whether you’re working on a residential build in Sacramento or a subdivision in Santa Rosa, our integrated design team helps you make adjustments with clarity and control. Here’s how we manage potential changes:

• Collaborative design and engineering teams under one roof
• Streamlined plan revisions and resubmittals
• Clear documentation through change orders
• Project managers who coordinate all affected parties
• Transparency around costs, schedule updates, and compliance

Changing your design midway through the process doesn’t have to derail your goals. We work with you to manage the impact and keep the original design intent strong.

FAQs – Changing a Design Midway

Will a design change delay my permit or inspection?

Yes, depending on the nature of the change. Structural or zoning-related updates often trigger a revised submittal to the local government.

How much does it cost to revise the plan?

Cost varies by scope. Design team members typically charge an hourly rate, and structural or civil revisions may require additional calculations.

Can I hire a new architect midway?

Switching to a new architect is possible but may complicate coordination, contracts, and continuity. It’s often more efficient to work with a single team from start to finish.

Do I need a new permit if I make changes?

If changes affect structural elements, egress, or lot coverage, resubmission to the city is typically required.

How do I document changes once construction has started?

A construction change order formalizes all changes to the original scope. This protects the client, contractor, and design team from misunderstandings.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Change Requests Slow You Down

Changing a design midway through the process is common in the construction industry. Whether you’re refining the design phase or requesting a construction change order, what matters most is how those changes are managed.

With the right team, strong documentation, and proactive coordination, design changes can improve your outcome, not derail it.

Have a project in mind or considering a change? Let’s make it work for you. GSDE is here to guide you through every step of the process with integrity, innovation, and proven results.