During the construction phase of a project you are managing, the customer wishes to add...

Get an estimate from the contractor for a change order. Also, review the impact this will have on the entire project’s cost, schedule, quality, and risks. Present these findings to the customer along with the request for additional funds.

Tell the customer you may be able to accommodate their request if the contingency budget is not used for other issues. Try to cut other scope items or create savings in other parts of the project to fully fund this request.

Tell the customer that their request is out of scope and cannot be accommodated. The project does not have the funds for this additional work. Explain how this request impacts schedules delaying work and adding significantly to time as well as cost.

Immediately agree to add the work to your project scope without getting an estimate from the contractor to determine the additional cost. You and the contractor can work out the differences as you go along.