What differentiates a Change Order from a Construction Change Directive?

A Construction Change Directive is indeed characterized by the requirement that it can be issued without the mutual agreement of both the Owner and the Contractor. This is significant because it allows for changes to be made when there may be a disagreement or uncertainty about the changes being necessary or their associated costs. The directive can be used to instruct the contractor to proceed with certain changes promptly, ensuring the project can continue without delay while still allowing for resolution of any disputes regarding costs or scope at a later time.

On the other hand, a Change Order requires the mutual agreement of both parties before it can be officially executed. This necessitates a collaborative approach to agreement on scope and associated costs, which differs from the more unilateral nature of a Construction Change Directive. Therefore, the underlying concept of agreement and direction is what fundamentally sets these two forms of modifications apart in the context of construction contracts.