What is a unit-price extra work authorization?

It is written approval for extra work priced by a measurable unit when the final quantity is not yet known. It defines the unit, unit price, estimated quantity, inclusions, measurement method, evidence, approval limit, and final reconciliation.

Is the estimated total the final price?

Usually not unless the authorization says so. The final amount is generally the verified quantity multiplied by the agreed unit price, subject to the authorization's cap, stop point, and contract terms.

What should a unit price include?

State whether labor, materials, equipment, mobilization, protection, disposal, tax, markup, minimum charges, and restoration are included. Avoid a unit price whose scope is undefined.

How should the final quantity be verified?

Use the agreed measurement method and preserve appropriate evidence such as marked photos, counts, dimensions, delivery tickets, haul receipts, or a jointly reviewed field tally.

Contractor field guide · Free template

Unknown quantity. Agreed unit price.

When damaged decking, trench length, subfloor area, fence boards, haul loads, or testing quantities cannot be known in advance, approve the pricing rule before the quantity grows.

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12 minute read
Updated July 10, 2026
Measured extra work

Field measure 01 Mark, measure, photograph, and tally each payable unit.

The short answer

Agree on the pricing formula before the final quantity is known.

A unit-price authorization defines one payable unit, exactly what that unit includes, the fixed price per unit, an estimated quantity or range, how final units will be measured, and the maximum quantity or amount permitted without another approval.

The estimate is planning information. The normal reconciliation is verified final quantity × agreed unit price, subject to the written cap and contract terms.

Before measured work begins

Make the unit observable, repeatable, and complete.

01
Define the extra-work item
Identify the condition, area, limits, and why the final quantity cannot yet be confirmed.
02
Choose one unambiguous unit
Use each, linear foot, square foot, cubic yard, hour, load, test, trip, sheet, or another unit both parties can verify.
03
Define what one unit buys
List labor, material, equipment, protection, mobilization, disposal, tax, markup, minimums, patching, and exclusions.
04
Estimate and guardrail
Show the estimated quantity and total, then set a not-to-exceed amount or stop quantity requiring new approval.
05
Measure and reconcile
Preserve the agreed evidence, calculate final units, document schedule effects, and confirm the final amount.

Copyable template

Unit-price extra work authorization

Use one line per distinct pay item. Different measurement rules or inclusions deserve separate unit prices.

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Authorization no. [___]Measured extra work

Extra-work condition: [Location, condition, original scope reference, photo/drawing reference, and work limits]
Pay item: [Plain description of the completed item that qualifies as one payable unit]
Unit of measure: [Each / LF / SF / CY / hour / load / test / trip / sheet / other]
Unit-price inclusions: [Labor, materials, equipment, protection, mobilization, disposal, restoration, tax, and markup]
Unit-price exclusions: [Work, conditions, or costs requiring separate written approval]
Agreed unit price: $___ per [unit]; state minimum charge or first-unit difference, if any
Estimated quantity: [___ to ___ units / best estimate ___ units]; estimate is not final quantity
Estimated amount: Estimated ___ units × $___ per unit = $___
Measurement method: [Who measures, timing, dimensions/count rule, rounding, joint review, and evidence]
Approval limit: [Not to exceed $___ or stop at ___ units without additional approval]
Final reconciliation: Verified ___ units × $___ = $___; evidence and schedule effect attached

Customer / authorized representativeSignature & date

ContractorSignature & date

Adapt this operational template to your agreement and jurisdiction. It is not legal, tax, or accounting advice and does not guarantee a final total.

Five field examples

Use the unit that matches the uncertainty.

Roofing

Decking by sheet

$___ per full or partial sheet replaced, including removal, standard sheet material, fastening, and disposal; photograph each marked location.

Flooring

Subfloor by square foot

$___ per square foot measured from marked repair dimensions; define minimum area, rounding, material thickness, and finish-ready condition.

Excavation

Trench by linear foot

$___ per linear foot within stated depth and soil assumptions; rock, dewatering, utility conflict, and shoring require separate review.

Framing

Damaged studs by each

$___ per stud repaired or replaced after exposure; define blocking, insulation, utilities, and finish restoration separately.

Cleanup

Haul-off by load

$___ per defined vehicle or container load, including loading and disposal; retain dated load photos and facility receipts.

Measurement evidence

Make the final tally auditable.

Count

Mark every item

Use numbered tape, photo references, or a room-by-room tally for each payable unit.

Dimension

Show the measurement rule

Record start/end points, width, depth, area formula, deductions, and rounding.

Receipt

Retain third-party records

Use delivery tickets, disposal receipts, test logs, or scale records where applicable.

Stop

Honor the guardrail

Pause before exceeding the approved quantity or amount and obtain the required additional decision.

Research basis

Estimated quantity and final measured quantity are different records.

Federal acquisition guidance illustrates unit pricing as quantity multiplied by a price per stated unit and distinguishes it from a lump sum. FAR quantity-survey language uses measured completed work to compute payable quantities.

Caltrans guidance says an agreed unit price may be applied to an estimated quantity while the number of final paid units varies, and emphasizes clear work descriptions and retained supporting calculations. These public-project procedures are useful drafting examples, not automatic rules for residential contracts.

The applicable contract controls measurement, quantity variation, pricing adjustments, markup, payment, and approval requirements. This guide provides general operational information.

Unit-price authorization questions

Is the estimated amount the final price?

Usually not unless the authorization says so. Final price generally follows verified quantity times unit price, subject to the approval limit and contract.

What should the unit price include?

State labor, materials, equipment, mobilization, protection, disposal, tax, markup, minimum charges, restoration, and exclusions explicitly.

What happens at the not-to-exceed limit?

Stop before exceeding the approved quantity or amount, document the current tally, and obtain any required additional authorization.

Can the unit price change when quantity changes substantially?

Only under the applicable agreement or a new written approval. Some contracts contain quantity-variation rules; do not assume a universal threshold.

Before uncertain work grows

Put the unit, price, and stop point beside the signature.

Describe the measurable work in JobSign, attach the field evidence, and authorize the pricing rule before proceeding.

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